Computer system productivity monitoring

Abstract

Embodiments of the inventive subject matter include an apparatus comprising a processor and a computer readable storage medium having computer usable code. The computer usable code can be configured to gather information about a computer system. The computer usable code can be further configured to generate a profile of performance of the computer system based on the information about the computer system. The computer usable code can be further configured to generate a profile of usage of the computer system based on the information about the computer system. The computer usable code can be further configured to analyze the profile of performance of the computer system against the profile of usage of the computer system. The computer usable code can be further configured to determine that productivity of the computer system is inhibited based on the analysis of the profile of performance against the profile of usage.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from United Kingdom Patent Application No. 1314619.6, filed on Aug. 15, 2013, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]The inventive subject matter relates to the field of computer system monitoring. In particular, the invention relates to computer system productivity monitoring.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0003]In the vast majority of office environments, employees are allocated a computer to use as a workstation. This workstation is typically used for a period of 3-5 years, and then refreshed due to a number of factors such as:1. Depreciation of the workstation. Computers typically depreciate their total value over a period of three years, meaning that a refresh cycle is usually no shorter than three years.2. Advances in technology leading to cost savings. Newer technology may be introduced which can offer the company cost savings over currently deployed systems, with featu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a way to assess the productivity of a computer system and use that information to guide a program to update and replace components of the system. This helps to avoid unnecessary replacements and ensures the system runs efficiently.

Problems solved by technology

1. Depreciation of the workstation. Computers typically depreciate their total value over a period of three years, meaning that a refresh cycle is usually no shorter than three years.

2. Advances in technology leading to cost savings. Newer technology may be introduced which can offer the company cost savings over currently deployed systems, with features such as enhanced power efficiency.

3. Lack of support for older systems. Old hardware and software typically requires increased support costs over time. This can be a driver for the replacement of older systems with new systems that are cheaper to support.

4. Damage to the workstation. As a workstation is used, the condition degrades over time. This can eventually make the machine likely to fail, or no longer fit for purpose.

Point 4 is much more difficult to mitigate using a broad stroke approach.

It is difficult for an organization to quantify the effect of wear and tear, and put definite metrics against loss of productivity due to the machine being less fit for purpose.

A typical example of the user losing productivity due to an old workstation would be if the workstation were no longer quick enough to run the most recent version of the standard email client in a satisfactory manner.

This would likely result in the worker going for a five minute coffee break, which results in that time being lost on a regular basis.

A hardware refresh can be costly to a business.

It is not only the cost of the new workstations, but the cost of disposal of the old workstations, loss of productivity during workstation migration, and environmental impact if the refresh is carried out more often than necessary

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