Time to hurry and make plans to let your System Administrator know how valuable he or she is to you and your organization. Why? Because the 14th Annual System Administrator Appreciation Day is right around the corner; this Friday, July 26th. And no, we’re not talking about your loving sister – we’re talking S-Y-S, not S-I-S here. (After all, your SysAdmin is even more important to you and your business than your sister is, right?)
“Recognized by official IT professional organizations, such as the League of Professional System Administrators, the holiday exists to show appreciation for the work of sysadmins and other IT workers. It is celebrated on the last Friday in July. The first System Administrator Appreciation Day was celebrated on July 28, 2000.” – wikipedia
Whether your System Administrator (SA) works in-house, or whether you contract your IT support services, your system administrator is the person in the background, usually deep in the background, who keeps your organization running smoothly; ensuring that your network is up and running; your printers are online and active; and that your entire system is – and remains – secure.
Do you know how valuable your SysAdmin really is?
Of course, most SAs know your organization from the inside out. They probably know your systems far better than you do. So, what is it that they do for you? Here is an example of a job description for System Administrator:
“The System Administrator (SA) is responsible for effective provisioning, installation/configuration, operation, and maintenance of systems hardware and software and related infrastructure. This individual participates in technical research and development to enable continuing innovation within the infrastructure. This individual ensures that system hardware, operating systems, software systems, and related procedures adhere to organizational values, enabling staff, volunteers, and Partners.” ~ SupportingAdvancement.com
Wow, you probably had no idea. That’s OK, you’re certainly not alone. And really, that is just the beginning of what your SA does for you, 24/7, 365, including weekends and holidays when necessary.
What to do, what to do?
Now that you’ve begun to realize just how vital your SysAdmin is to the successful operation of your business, you may want to ask yourself, “What can I do to show my appreciation?”
Well, most SAs would love to see their name on a brand new Mercedes with a bow on top waiting in the parking lot this Friday. But, if that is a bit more than you can swing right now, maybe a little party with some cake and ice cream would be nice. In truth, a simple thank you and smile is all we really need. Appreciation is always, well… appreciated.
The point is not to overwhelm your SysAdmin, or others in your organization, but to show that you understand and appreciate the value they bring to your organization; that you truly appreciate the knowledge, experience, and professionalism they bring to the task of keeping your vital systems secure, up-to-date, and running smoothly.
There is only one question remaining when it comes to a day devoted to someone so important. Why isn’t SysAdmin Appreciation Day a national holiday, leading into a three day weekend?
Oh, and a Happy SysAdmin Appreciation Day to all our fellow SysAdmins out there providing the outstanding client support we know they also offer.
Check out the official SysAdmin Day website.
Enjoy this pretty darn funny video we found on YouTube: