Given upgrades are here to stay, the key is not to regard them as a nuisance, but to recognize that by investing in them, get your business golden.
We’ve come up these important reasons why you need to keep upgrading!
Today we have faster CPUs, faster hard drives, more processors – and these resources mean the processing of workloads is quicker. Basically, older systems are just not as fast as new ones.
Newer technology enables businesses to communicate with clients and potential customers in numerous ways. Email, social media, via your website… More flexible communication options means increased business potential.
Improved Communications
Today we have the technology to do things we couldn’t in the past. For example, remote access via mobile devices mean sales reps can take quickly take orders while on the road, knowing exactly what timeframe they can deliver in.
Because ageing systems are not actively security-checked, businesses using Windows XP, as just one example, are vulnerable to having information stolen or compromised. Newer technology has better security checking in place.
Better Security
Features in new operating systems can be used to provide enhancements that weren’t possible in older systems. This means businesses using older technology won’t have the functionality that could give them a competitive advantage.
Software vendors test applications on current and most recent versions of any particular operating system. They won’t spend time testing applications on elderly systems. Does your vendor support your old technology?
Vendor Support
This goes hand-in-hand with our previous point. IT professionals can’t support technology that has become too old. Young IT professionals may have limited knowledge of old systems. It’ll take them longer to find answers to your IT questions – which will increase your support costs.
If your system is under warranty, it can be fixed and up-and-running again quickly, meaning less disruption to your business. But systems that are more than five years old and no longer under warranty can fail and put the business in disaster recovery – we’ve seen it happen!
Current Warranty
Upgrading sounds expensive, but the truth is that older systems have more issues – and consequently more costs. The cost of disruption caused by unstable systems and software can very quickly become more than it would to invest in an upgraded system.
When something new comes on the market, existing systems and software may not be compatible with it. For example, the next update for Windows 10 will have some features removed, so it won’t run with a Windows 2003 server that some SMBs are still running.
Compatibility
Electricity is becoming very costly for businesses in Australia. The good news is that newer computers and servers typically use less power – meaning real savings for your business.
Employees become increasingly frustrated with outdated systems and software – they just can’t do their job as well or efficiently as they’d like. If they become so disgruntled that they leave, you could lose business knowledge – and it’s not great PR for your company either, if they tell others why they left.
Happier Staff
Like employees, customers can become disgruntled if engaging with a business that uses out-of-date technology. This can give your business the reputation of being ‘behind the times’. By investing in technology, you’ll offer a better customer experience, and you’ll also show you’re there for the long haul.
Is your system designed to support a specific number of people? What happens if you grow? It won’t take long before the system that’s designed to support five people is creaking to a halt trying to support 25. It will also struggle with increased orders, etc. The right technology solution will support your current needs and allow for future business growth.
Business Growth
Younger staff will be particularly frustrated with older systems – they will have no idea how to use them. Training them to use outmoded systems is time-consuming and fraught with errors. Better to upgrade and focus training needs on something that will really grow your business..
So you’ve decided to review and upgrade your technology, but you’re still uncertain about exactly what you need? It’s vital to find a partner that looks at the business benefits of technology solutions, not just the technology itself. Correct Solutions has over 20 years’ experience offering solutions to many businesses across varied industries. Get in touch today.