After a lot of hard work and meticulous planning, your long-awaited IT project is finally taking its expected shape. You’ve got the hardware. The deadline is set and everything is ready. But then, the rollout stalls. Again. The culprits aren’t stubborn software bugs, missing devices, or hardware that can’t be installed properly. A very common, but rarely recognized and often underestimated cause of delay in IT projects is mounting.
In this blog article, we will explain why the installation of your IT equipment ever so often becomes a major bottleneck. But don’t expect a sole focus on the problem. We’re also going to look at the solution and show you how and why the right rackmount kit can make your difficulties vanish into thin air!
Why hardware installations slow down IT projects
There are several reasons why a hardware installation can significantly slow down an IT project and make it into a cumbersome affair. Let’s take a closer look at the major ones.
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Different locations, different setups
When you roll out hardware to multiple offices, stores, restaurants, or branches, no two setups are exactly the same. Every building has different dimensions, specific confines, and a unique layout. Some utility cabinets are shallow, others deep. Some locations call for front access, whilst others don’t have any rear clearance at all.
If you don’t have a standardized mounting solution, installers end up making decisions on the spot. This usually leads to:
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Inconsistent setups: every location uses different rack sizes and types, or in some cases no racks at all, which complicates troubleshooting and maintenance.
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Unexpected compatibility issues.
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Wasted time during deployment, which is both costly and unnecessary.
Often, the net result of such a messy, on-the-spot approach is a lack of operational efficiency and an increase in downtime.
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Tight deadlines, limited time
Field engineers always hear the clock ticking and often have to perform under huge time pressure. Every minute matters. Without standardized solutions, installation often involves a high degree of trial and error. This approach, along with adding extra brackets and making a lot of decisions on-site and in the heat of the moment, tends to add hours to the job. That wouldn’t necessarily be a huge problem in an isolated case. But if you multiply all those extra hours across 20, 50 or even 100+ locations, you probably get the picture.
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Makeshift solutions that lead to practical problems
Without a proper rackmount kit, technicians start to improvise. This often results in makeshift solutions that seem to be “good enough at the moment”, but create bigger (and often costly) issues down the line. One of the more dangerous ones are unstable installations. Think about the possible risks and costs of heavy and valuable equipment that comes tumbling down from one of your shelves.
Poor cable management is another unwelcome issue that often results from makeshift solutions. Imagine loose wires hanging everywhere, leading to an inextricable spaghetti of cables that increases the chances of downtime and makes troubleshooting and both remote and on-site support so much harder for even the most gifted technician… These complications also lead to a higher number of support tickets after delivery.
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Loose devices, big risks
In some cases, there is no mounting solution at all and a device just gets placed on top of the rack. Not fastened and just sitting there. This most often happens in shared 19”cabinets, especially in co-working buildings or shared server rooms. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to realize that such a setup is a recipe for disaster. Devices can fall or get bumped out of place, cables get pulled out or (even worse) damaged, and your IT staff may spend hours fixing a sudden outage.
What started as a “quick fix” can rapidly turn into a serious failure point. When a cable gets pulled out, it isn’t always clear which asset has become disconnected. Finding and solving the problem becomes a costly affair, in terms of both time and money.
The fix: Rackmount.IT kits
Luckily, the solution for all your rack mounting issues and frustrations is waiting for you! At Rackmount.IT we design mounting kits that make the installation process:
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Fast. Forget trial and error and get ready for kits that are a perfect fit for your specific equipment and desired setup. Not a one-size-fits-all solution, but one that’s exactly specified for each device.
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Clean. Expect smart cable management, front connections, a secured power supply, and custom cut-outs for airflow to prevent overheating.
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Consistent. The combination of standardization and the option to customize allows organizations to achieve consistency across different locations and brings hardware mounting down to a science.
Each kit is made to fit a specific brand and model. Rackmount.IT kits are secure, front-facing, and easy to install. You just unbox, mount, and go!
Do you want a safe and efficient setup?
Don’t let hardware mounting hold your project back. Choose Rackmount.IT for easy, clean, and secure installations — the first time, every time. Would you like to know more about our products? Then feel free to contact us.
