Find fault with this analogy

Mr.Pink

Mr.Pink

Mr.Pink

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5 Jan 2007
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613
I have to explain to a real(i mean real) non-techy finance director the components and operation of a server.

I am starting with the CPU RAM & HDD.

The best i can come up with is that the CPU is like the brain, doing the calculations. THe RAM is like a desk that you work at, the more RAM, the more projects you can work on at one time. The hard drive is the liling cabinet where all documents are stored.

I know, its horrible, and analogies usually are when IT related. But even though it could be pulled to pieces, does it get the jist over?

Is there a better non-technical way to explain this?

If i crack this,next weeks assignment is virtualisation;)
 
Purpose of a server

1) To have a dedicated machine that is always running
2) To have centralised login and management, including rolling out updates
3) To act as a central storage point
4) To give a layer of security
 
I think you should start it off like Swiss Tony... (If your FD has a sense of humour, of course!)

Surely there is some promotional video type gumf on the MS website that you can poke him at?
 
I never bother trying to explain the technicalities to senior people - they dont care generally.

What they care about is:

- What does it cost?
- What does it deliver?
- What are the downsides?
 
iaind said:
I never bother trying to explain the technicalities to senior people - they dont care generally.

What they care about is:

- What does it cost?
- What does it deliver?
- What are the downsides?
Click to expand...

This. Don't try and get non-techie people to care about technical stuff. They won't, no matter how good the analogy. If you're trying to convince them to spend money on something, put it in language they understand: Risk, investment, return.
 
My analogy for a computer is to think of it as a desk:

CPU: the user sat on the chair
RAM: the amount of desktop space you have, more ram means bigger desk and more things "open"
HDD: the drawers in to which you store you files

But as has been said, this is all pointless when trying to explain I.T to directors, they just want to know the implications.
 
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