The aim of every IT department is to satisfy the requirements of the system users while at the same time keeping costs to a minimum.
The following aspects make the adjustment of the system environment (hardware and software) a dynamic process:
The steady increase in real-time processing with all its options of directly handling customer service and office work.
The constant increase in applications and functions (data networks, distributed processing).
The interrelationships between these functions (because of their mutual dependence).
The growth of existing applications as a result of increased business volume.
The load fluctuations in daily business.
The following steps should be taken to ensure that the system is used economically:
Determine precise performance expectations.
Define the configuration.
After taking up production, carry out monitoring runs to determine whether the performance expectations are being met.
If not, concentrate on those bottlenecks whose removal promises the greatest improvement in performance.
Once the bottlenecks have been discovered and removed, repeat the monitoring runs, as this often reveals other bottlenecks which were previously concealed.
Even after performance expectations have been met, it is essential to carry out periodical monitoring runs, for only in this way is it possible to detect tell-tale signs of saturation in the main resources due to the increasing workload and to avoid critical situations in the system.