Network Cabling - IT Budget
Making Sense of IT
Budget planning is an important part of the Information Technology mix and it is imperitive that costs and benefits can be quantified and justified.
So here's a rough guide to costs - to install a structured cabling network with patch panels, outlets, cables, cabinet racking, trunking and tray work, cost should fall between £40 and £120 per point.
Cost Model
Let's take a look at a theoretical cost model for setting up the Information Technology infrastructure for a new business or branch office.
We are going to assume 10 staff in our new facility. Each will need two network points and we'll put in a few extras for servers and printers. Total 24 network points. Our IT budget is £20,000.
| Item | Budget % | Cost | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software | 40% | £8,000 | 5 Years |
| Work Stations | 30% | £6,000 | 3 Years |
| Servers | 20% | £4,000 | 3 Years |
| Network cabling | 10% | £2,000 | 15 Years |
The cost breakdown may vary depending on the network elements but these figures serve well as a rough guide to where the money goes.
Summary
Well that's ok for startup costs, but look at the expected lifespan of the network components. Network Cabling accounts for only a small proportion of the IT budget, yet it is expected to perform for 15 years. Over this time most of the network components will be replaced or upgraded. The Network Cabling element of the budget over 15 years is below 4%.
We already know that Network Cabling is a vital component of our infrastructure and now we know how much it costs to have it installed by qualified professionals using quality components.
For more information - please contact tbData.