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Information technology (IT) obsolescence predominantly results in the need to upgrade computers and downsize devices. It's a hassling obligatory investment to stay on and ahead of the game. But when dealing with national defense and protection, once things fall into the wrong hands, it becomes obsolete - worse, a threat. Developing, upgrading and destroying (i.e., retiring) technology becomes critical to safety.

This article offers a different take on technology obsolescence. It discusses how Solid State Disk (SSD) storage solutions serve as an antidote to this setback, especially in the case of military and defense enterprises that are obligated to pay premium for national safety by investing in advanced technologies.

One challenge to the military and defense sector is purchasing intelligent and easily managed pieces of equipment that have at least 20 years of production life. But according to Giles Slade, author of Made To Break: Technology and Obsolescence in America, society has been constructing and mass-producing devices that are destined to "break" or be replaced much sooner than expected. In fact, studies show that the average lifespan of computing equipment has been put down to a maximum of three years before an upgrade becomes available.

Even software applications have scheduled "patches" now and then, as if to signal that a new version is in the works and on its way to the market.

Haste and Waste

Computer notebooks or laptops concretize the rapid turnover in the technological arena. It only takes months for a smaller, shinier model to grace advertisements, urging consumers to replace their computers that ironically are still working. This trend is also true for mobile phones and media gadgets, especially in some Asian countries. Not surprisingly, people are convinced: out with the old, in with the new. How does a critical and demanding industry, such as the national military and defense sector, cope with fast paced change?

While people have no difficulty discarding their personal desktops and mobile devices for the latest model, the same is not true for enterprises dealing with sensitive operations. Replacing existing network framework in large-scale businesses takes time off work hours and poses a huge financial setback. Not only is it a hassle to assemble computers and migrate data, a couple hundred of workers need to get acquainted with the new setup. This should be the last, if not never, an option for the military and defense industry.

Investing on advanced technology may be the antidote to obsolescence. Although the cost is equally astounding, the edge gained over competitors makes the capital worthwhile. This hits it home especially for government agencies that put a high price on confidentiality, quality performance and resilient equipment. Unlike other enterprises that upgrade their computers for the sake of keeping up with trends, the defense and military industries rely on technology that can survive in rugged terrains and remain secure from harsh environmental conditions, not to mention malicious attacks. Thus, they willingly invest on computing equipment that does the trick and complies with strict standards.

Storage Solution

There are perks to using stable and long lasting equipment though they may be pricey for trading within the consumer level. A very good illustration of this can be found within the storage industry, where Hard Disk Drives (HDD) and SSDs are pitted against each other. These two products have the same functionality - they serve as storage devices for all types of computing data for a wide range of enterprises. HDD is the cheaper alternative and is the common storage choice at the consumer level. In contrast, SSD is tagged as the rich man's storage solution.

However SSDs prove that it is worth its price tag as it eliminates weaknesses that are bundled with HDDs so that it is not prone to disk failures. Storing information asset is not exclusive to any industry or business. Even the smallest venture has to secure data in the most efficient way possible. Simply put, using HDDs is a risk.

On the other hand, SSDs are the premium counterpart of HDDs and serve as storage norm for performance heavy, service oriented, 24/7 operations businesses and enterprises. In fact, SSDs offer speed, density and resilience that can sustain the workload of military and defense, as well as industrial industries. SSDs are a hundred times faster than HDDs. They consume less power, and have been manufactured to withstand extreme weather conditions, heat fluctuations, shock and altitude. These storage disks are rugged and ideal because of its small form factor and lightweight proportions.

Additionally, SSDs have added features that make it more convenient to use. The Flash Wear Out Monitor feature found in the E-Disk® SSD line works similarly to the gas indicators in cars. It signals users when the disk capacity has nearly emptied and the amount of disk content has reached its threshold. This is a great help when the storage system is constantly on the move, such as those in transport, locomotive and navigation enterprises.

Another unique feature of E-Disk SSDs is the securErase® technology that was invented with the military and aerospace industries in mind. This enables users to completely erase disk data without possibility of recovery, as in the case of enemy capture in the military setting.

Lastly, to counter arguments against Flash memory's limited number of allowable write/erase, BiTMICRO's patented Wear Leveling technology equips E-Disk SSDs with a mechanism that evenly distributes writes throughout the disk so that no single block is repeatedly used and worn out. This prolongs the life of the flash memory chips and lessens the possibility of corrupted data.

Looking Ahead

In early 2006, the price of flash memory dropped by 25%. This trend is likely to continue as more manufacturers are responding to increasing demand. This non-volatile flash memory has been used as memory cards for digital cameras, BIOS chips for PCs and storage drives for various commercial devices. Hybrid drives showcasing SSD flash drives are set for release any time now. Not surprisingly, the military and defense industries have been using SSDs for years already and will continue to do so because it is the fitting storage system for their needs. Given its attributes and marked superiority, SSD is clearly where storage is headed.

The problem of IT obsolescence is one that is being faced by all industries. It is when existing computing network infrastructures are rendered old and useless. Though businesses may opt to replace the old with the new or the latest devices in the market, this is a poor way of handling the issue. Investing in advanced technology is the antidote to IT obsolescence. This article used the SSD versus HDD framework as an example. While HDD is the cheaper storage choice, SSD is the wise alternative in the long run because it does not succumb to wear and tear easily, and it carries a variety of features that are requisites for critical and demanding industry fields.

Military and defense enterprises that make the switch to SSDs or invest in other forms of advanced information technologies eradicate the problem of IT obsolescence, or at least delay the need for upgrades. They can also experience greater performance from their equipment, enjoy unsurpassed speed and power. The use of SSDs is for industries that place importance on rugged and secure equipment. These intelligent storage devices also carry a milieu of features that benefit and improve business storage systems and processes. Finally, all these advantages allow mission critical agencies to concentrate on essential matters that cannot be compromised: the lives of millions of people, the safety of the country, and the future of humanity.

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