Breakdown of Hardware Costs for IT Infrastructure

In order to provide some granularity and narrow the preliminary budget estimate of $50-$150K needed to accomplish the network overhaul, we can provide more details explaining 40 of 100 employees will work 3-4 days a week remotely. Working with these parameters, we can provide a list of the hardware required to operate the downsized corporate office and the hardware needed at the remote locations to support the contemplated infrastructure.

Here’s a more granular breakdown of the potential hardware costs required for both the downsized corporate office and the remote locations, based on the scenario of 40 out of 100 employees working remotely 3-4 days a week. These parameters help refine the project cost estimate for the IT transformation.

Hardware Requirements for Downsized Corporate Office

1. Core Network Infrastructure:

   • Firewall (supporting VPN and Zero Trust Network): $3,000 - $6,000
     • A firewall will provide the core security for the downsized office, supporting secure remote access, VPN tunnels, and zero-trust policies.
   • Managed Switches (48-port or 24-port, depending on scale): $2,000 - $5,000
     • Managed switches are required to handle the office’s LAN traffic and securely connect all on-premise devices to the network.
   • Wi-Fi Access Points: $150 - $500 per unit (3-5 units)
     • High-performance access points will ensure wireless coverage in the downsized office. The exact number depends on office size and layout.
   • Network Cabling (Ethernet cables, patch panels, etc.): $2,000 - $4,000
     • This is for proper connectivity across the office, particularly for high-priority endpoints like servers, workstations, and printers.

2. Server Infrastructure:

   • NAS (Network Attached Storage) or Cloud Storage Gateway: $2,000 - $10,000
     • A NAS system or cloud storage gateway for file management and backup for those employees who remain on-premise.
   • On-Site Backup Servers: $5,000 - $15,000
     • Backup servers for local backups and business continuity. This can be downsized with cloud-based backup integration.

3. Workstations and Peripherals:

   • Desktops/Thin Clients (for office employees): $800 - $1,500 per unit (for 60 employees)
     • Desktops or thin clients for employees who will remain in the office most of the time.
   • Printers/Multifunction Devices: $500 - $3,000 per unit (3-5 units)
     • The DCA software manages centralized printers or multifunction devices to handle office print needs.
   • Meeting Room Equipment (Video conferencing hardware): $2,000 - $10,000
     • Conference room equipment like high-quality cameras, microphones, and screens integrated with MS Teams for remote collaboration.

Hardware Requirements for Remote Locations (40 Remote Workers)

1. Remote Access Hardware (per remote worker):

   • Business-Grade Laptops: $1,000 - $2,500 per unit
     • High-performance laptops capable of running RMM, DCA, and other necessary business applications.
   • USB or Wireless Printers: $150 - $500 per unit (optional, only for those who require it)
     • The DCA software will monitor printers for employees who need to print from home.
   • Docking Stations: $100 - $300 per unit
     • For employees who need to connect to external monitors or additional peripherals.
   • Monitors: $150 - $400 per unit
     • External monitors for those working from home who require multi-screen setups.

2. Networking and Security Hardware (per remote worker):

   • Business-Grade Routers: $200 - $600 per unit
     • These routers are pre-configured to connect to the corporate infrastructure via VPN or Zero Trust Network, ensuring secure connections.
   • VPN Gateway Support: $500 - $2,000 (licensing and setup)
     • Licensing for remote VPN access (this may vary based on the firewall setup at the corporate office).
   • External Storage (optional): $100 - $500 per unit
     • External storage for backups or file management for remote workers.

3. Security and Endpoint Protection:

   • Endpoint Security Software: $50 - $100 per device annually
     • Security software for each remote worker’s device to ensure comprehensive protection against cyber threats.
   • Passkey Authentication Hardware/Software: $50 - $200 per user
     • Hardware tokens or software-based solutions for implementing Passkey security across remote workers' devices.

Other Cost Considerations:

1. Licensing and Software Costs:

   • RMM and DCA Software Licensing: $10,000 - $30,000 annually
     • Licensing fees for RMM and DCA software across 100 devices (both office and remote).
   • VPN/Zero Trust Network Licensing: $5,000 - $15,000 annually
     • Ongoing licensing costs for maintaining a secure Zero Trust Network and VPN infrastructure.

2. Ongoing Maintenance and Support:

   • MSP Fees (Ongoing Support): $20,000 - $50,000 annually
     • Depending on the scope of the services provided by the MSP (monitoring, security, troubleshooting, etc.).
   • Cloud Storage Services (if applicable): $5,000 - $15,000 annually
     • Costs associated with cloud storage solutions (e.g., Azure, AWS, Google Cloud).

Updated Project Cost Estimate:

Based on the above hardware and ongoing service costs, the refined estimate for the project is:

• Initial Hardware and Software Setup (Corporate Office + Remote Locations): $70,000 - $120,000
• Ongoing Support and Maintenance (per year): $30,000 - $60,000

This range should provide a more precise cost breakdown tailored to the number of remote employees, the hybrid working environment, and the hardware infrastructure required to support the new setup.

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