Knowing when it’s time to update your IT hardware is an answer that can vary between organizations. Business office hardware is often thought to have a typical lifespan of 5 to 10 years. However, in order to ensure maximum employee productivity and optimum network security, that number could be a bit lower. It could also be influenced by your business’s industry and security needs.
Your technology is the gateway to your data. And data is the heartbeat of any business. That’s why keeping your data safe, technology up and running and employees productive are crucial elements for any business to grow and flourish.
Every business should have a technology upgrade plan in place. This plan will help to give insight and point you towards the optimal time to upgrade your business technology.
The exact timing for a technology upgrade can vary based on the needs of your business. However, here are some indicators to keep in mind as you analyze the business technology needs of your organization and determine when the time will be right to upgrade your technology.
Related Reading: Top 10 List of Cybersecurity Facts
Hackers are constantly on the prowl. That’s why you need to be proactive and update your cybersecurity software, frequently. Seems easy enough, but it may not be if your hardware is aging (or obsolete) and unable to support security updates to keep your software, current.
If you can’t install the latest updates, you are already vulnerable to known cyberattacks. Don’t risk it. Update your technology before this becomes a problem and you’ll be better prepared to ward off potential cyberattacks.
Whether your entire network or a single machine isn’t working, your business could be losing money. A 2014 Gartner report indicated that network operational downtime could, on average, cost a business $5,600 per minute. Ouch!
While occasional network downtime or machine breakdowns may happen, they can also be indicators that larger downtime problems could be on the way.
Is your business ready to risk this? Be proactive and don’t. Downtime is expensive for your business, and it can increase stress and headaches for your employees. Any way you look at it, it’s expensive.
If your aging technology is impeding your employees from doing their job, it’s time for a business technology upgrade. While employee productivity can be negatively impacted by network or machine downtime, employee morale can decline, as well.
Take a closer look at your Help Desk tickets and the reasons why employees need assistance. If the speed, flexibility or uptime of your technology is decreasing – this could be an indication that it’s time for a technology upgrade, before a larger catastrophe strikes.
In addition, consider employee satisfaction and the morale of your staff as a whole. If your employees are consistently dealing with network glitches or slow software access, you could be risking the longevity of your workforce.
Keep your employees happy (and productive) by giving them the proper tools they need to make your business a success.
Your technology may fit your company, today. But what about tomorrow? While it is possible to forecast potential organizational growth and expansion into new territories, there are always uncertainties and calculated risks that every organization will make.
There’s also unknown risks. A few years ago, most businesses didn’t have a plan in place on how to conduct business during a pandemic.
Businesses with updated technology such as corporate laptops, cloud computing platforms, BYOD policies and unified communications systems were poised to thrive as many workers were sent to work from home. Even in the post-pandemic world, remote or hybrid working is common.
Staying ahead of the technology curve is key for any business. That’s why it’s important to have a technology strategy in place. Because technology should work for you, not against you.
Are you looking to get ahead of your competition? Then you need a proactive strategy designed to help eliminate unpredictable costs and disruptions.
Elevity has the resources you need to stay on top of today’s technology. We provide best in class, industry-leading solutions that evolve with you, keeping your strategic business goals, growth and security top of mind.
Contact us to learn more about our four essential elements of technology management and how they can help your business thrive.
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