Ideal

Matching Intel or 3COM 10/100 NICs (Network Interface Cards) in every system throughout the organization, 3COM Switches and Routers only. High quality, matching Cat5 cabling throughout with or 802.11a Wireless networking.

Matching systems throughout the organization (are you thinking that I must dreaming?) with same OS (WinXP) and the same configuration and applications on every system.

The only difference in every system should be the personalization points (color, backdrop, sounds, screen saver etc.)

Devoted servers, such as Data, e-mail, Internet, Intranet/Extranet, redundant Data, CDROM, Image Scanning (paper docs etc.), Remote access etc.

The ideal model allows far greater fault tolerance, ease of administrative control, greater data protection and control, much improved performance, reduced or even no downtime.

The really amazing thing is that the extra up front costs for extra / high quality hardware are almost always amoritized in a fairly short amount of time with increased productivity and very little down time. Many case studies have shown amoritization against typical hardware purchasing styles within 2 years or less compared to old models.