I am an IT manager responsible for 5 locations (in five different states). Total number of computer users is about 300 and we have about 50 servers. I have four people on staff. Current projects for this year include collapsing the 5 domains into one and collapsing 5 different email solutions into one Exchange 2003 sever. This also includes upgrading to Windows 2003 as many servers are still WinNT. My staff and I also manage 3 different ERP systems. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention a huge upgrade with one of or ERP systems that includes implementing SQL server. I am having a hard time convincing the executives that I need more people just to maintain the current infrastructure not to mention two aggressive projects. The only way I am going to get the people I need is to put hours to the maintenance of current systems and hours to implementation of the wanted projects. This is MUCH harder then it seems. I spend a ton of time coordinating my staff (remember they are spread over 5 states) and identifying the high priorities. When I tell my boss that there are not even enough people he says ?Well maybe we won?t do anything new, maybe we will tell you to just maintain the network.? The problem I see is that there is a total lack of understanding of what maintaining the network means. I have tried to tell him that by not staying somewhat current, it is causing the IT department to work more hours just to maintain the infrastructure. Any help about how to tell the executives that they are insane and their expectations are unrealistic would be helpful.
