Today, I upgraded my computer’s drive to an SSD, or Solid State Drive. It’s exactly the same as the traditional spinning hard drive, except there’s nothing spinning. Ok, so it’s nothing like it. But you know all about them, even if it’s a new term. Put your ear to your phone (yes, you can do that for calls, too!); hear anything? Of course not, because phones don’t use a spinning drive. However, they do use SSDs to hold all your photos, apps, and documents. And doesn’t your phone load individual apps very quickly? Say, “thank you SSDs!”

I’ve been reluctant to make the same upgrade on my computer. This laptop is from 2010, so not the newest technology, but top-of-the-line at the time. Lately, loading programs and other items has gotten on my nerves, especially since my iPad tends to load its version of those same apps much faster. #FirstWorldProblems, perhaps, but I was tired of waiting a minute for my photo suite to load. So, I caved and purchased an SSD. Once received, I cloned (geek-speak for “copied”) my existing hard drive on to it. Then, I made sure the computer ran off it as expected. Once confirmed, I took apart my computer and swapped out the drives (Fix a shelf? I’m lost. Take apart and reassemble tiny components of a computer? I’m good.).

Now the moment of truth…did I short something out? Was a plug partially disconnected? Did I leave part of my lunch inside the casing? With a sigh of relief, I learned the answer to all those questions was “no”.

So how was it? Did I notice a difference? Like strapping a jet engine on everyone’s favorite racing tortoise. Booting up previously took about 2-5 minutes, depending on what was loaded. Now? About 20 seconds. My photo software that hung for about a minute before showing me a lifetime’s worth of pictures? 5 seconds. Movie-making program which claimed 90 seconds from my life every time I clicked it? 7 seconds.

To say it’s an improvement would be a gross understatement.

The issue with all this newfound speed? I began to think. Yes, that is a reason for concern.

How can we apply SSD performance boosts to our business, or to our credit union clients? Since I’m told strapping jet engines on the CEOs is an overstep of our partnerships, thoughts turned to processes and procedures. An SSD is so fast because it has no moving parts…no section waits for another to finish. Well, I’m sure it’s not the case at your institution, but we have found a few which have many, many moving parts. One task can hold up all the others. And your drive, ahem, I mean, your credit union, grinds to a halt. The squeaky wheel may get the grease, but wouldn’t it be better to run with no wheels at all?

I’m thinking hoverboards.

Image credit:  PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay.