New (2) Desktop Computers by Dell - What's the Best For My Needs?

I don't get how some people can be in such lucrative positions in their businesses and have no idea that they at minimum should look into an MSP if they aren't going to pony up for an in house grunt

This is what is powering our office at the moment (Eight people in our office).

My Desktop Computer is a Dell XPS (Core i5)
Server is a Dell PowerEdge 110
Back Up is APC Back-Ups Pro 1500S

Obviously, if this can power 8 people using it, it will power 2 of us. My question is more of...how outdated is this stuff? And what would be the better upgrades?


ETA:

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What programs do you use, how large is your data size currently, whats your budget..

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Programs: Microsoft Office - that's really about it. I get most of my content from websites (plans, specs, etc.)

Though we have our own domain for emails, it's funneled through gmail. Not sure how much space we have, but I never delete emails.

Budget is going to be $5,000 for the following...

(2) Desktops
(4) Screens
(1) Server

If I have left over money to spend - it'll be on printer & scanner.

Do each workstation just see data on server or can you login from any computer in network?

We can login from any computer in network

quote:

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EMCO

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is literally an MSP

ETA: Surprised they do a company as small as yours (obviously they aren't doing it well)

quote:

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EMCO

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so why arent you asking them these questions? do you not trust them? are they not doing a good job?
I've got no dog in this hunt - but your msp should be providing you with vCIO services.
if you are on just a break/fix contract they should still be able to give you a proposal and quote.

since they are your provider, they are in a much better position to give accurate info than anyone on the board. we just don't know enough about your setup and usage.

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I'm inquiring about this stuff because I don't intend on being at the same place much longer.

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If you really want to keep all this in house, its going to need double your budget..Seriously think about getting as much in the cloud as you can

OK now we're getting somewhere.
1st, I have yet to see you give a need for a server. 2 users, no specific software being used thats server based, no need for in house email exchange. Instead I would be using a good quality NAS to store collaborative docs and on premise backups, following that up with an off site (online) emergency backup.

As for dell desktops, their XPS line is just fine. QNAP and Synology both make good NAS units. 0365 should handle your email and word processing.

Looks like we are all sharing approximately 919 GB w/ 17 GB left of free storage. If this is enough for 8 people, it should surely be enough for me and another.

Again, I'm not familiar with what a cloud can do versus the server. I mean, I understand it holds data. But from what I understand...I'd need a server for both of us to be able to operate a quoting program/ financial program (i.e. Quick Books) at the same time. Right?

Thank you guys for the help by the way. I understand that I'll probably need a tech a some point, but if I can at least start purchasing computers now...it'd be ideal. That way I can at least start loading documents, email, programs, etc...while I'm still employed. So far you guys are being of great help!