The Biggest Signs Your IT Infrastructure is Outdated
The phrase "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is often used to justify complacency. However, when applied to IT infrastructure, this adage can be both dangerous and expensive.
Your company's IT infrastructure is a significant element of your business. An up-to-date and high-quality IT infrastructure is an important asset that allows you to successfully conduct business and meet objectives. However, an out-of-date, low-quality system may be a pain in the neck that wreaks havoc on productivity, efficiency, and quality of work, putting you at risk of a cyber breach in the process.
There are many components of IT infrastructure, but here are five common signs that indicate it’s time for an IT infrastructure update.
1) You're using old software
Outdated software doesn't just run slowly, it can make your entire network susceptible to viruses, malware, and cyber attacks. Even though learning new software seems daunting at first, the risks of using old software are much greater. Not only that, but old software is also more likely to be out of compliance with regulated industry standards.
Updating and patching your software is a key in upgrading your outdated IT infrastructure. New software can potentially benefit your business in the following ways:
Increased Capabilities
Better Efficiency
Increased Security
Lower Long-Term Costs
Improved Productivity
Having the most up-to-date software is critical for security and efficiency.
2) You’re computers are out-of-date
We encounter all sorts of odd technology workarounds and outmoded practices as a managed services provider. However, for us, the most telling sign of antiquated IT infrastructure is the thing that employees use on a daily basis: their computers.
The computers you invested in for your company a few years ago were once amazing, but now they're below par. They lag, freeze, crash, and are more trouble than they're worth.
Although you might only think of servers and networking tools when you hear the term IT infrastructure, your computers play just as big of a role. You can use the opportunity of replacing old ones to invest in devices with more capabilities for the next generation.
3) Your backups aren't reliable
Is your company prepared for a disaster, data loss, or power outage? Unfortunately, many businesses have no backup plan in place. In the event of a calamity, data breach, or power outage at your firm, you run the danger of data loss.
A comprehensive data recovery and data storage plan for your business should include regular backups and testing. Cloud computing is a possible solution to this. Integrating a Cloud infrastructure provides a way to store full data backups at multiple geo-locations, which gives your organization the protection it needs in case of disaster or loss of primary systems.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to worry about data backups and disaster recovery plans.
4) Your IT Costs Are going through the roof
The more ancient the technology, the more it costs to upgrade and maintain it. The expenses of maintenance and repair accumulate over time. Your IT systems also need energy usage and energy is not cheap.
How many times have you tried to buy the cheaper option of something, only to end up spending more in the long run by buying multiple of it or buying the more expensive alternative that was available in the first place? Many businesses prefer to address IT problems with quick fixes, but they rarely look at the fundamental reasons behind them. In the long run, a comprehensive IT infrastructure upgrade will save you money.
Older IT infrastructure components, on the other hand, operate hotter and require more energy to keep cool. Getting newer tech as a part of an overall technology upgrade is cooler, uses less electricity, and is designed with environmental concerns in mind. It's time to upgrade your IT systems if you're spending too much money on energy for them.
5) Your systems take forever
There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to get something done on a slow computer.
Slow systems may be an indication of a more serious infrastructure problem. Inadequate storage, insufficient processing power, bad internet connections or restricted bandwidth are all possible causes. These issues can all be addressed with an improved IT infrastructure. A faster business is better for productivity.
In fact, slow systems from outdated technology have a negative effect on company productivity and disrupt the lives of your staff. At the end of the day, this translates to revenue losses, higher costs, and lower profits.
If any of the symptoms appear to be similar to those in your company, it's time to seek help from an IT professional. Upgrading your IT infrastructure can improve security, efficiency, and profitability. Working with an expert will assist you in determining where specific areas of your IT infrastructure are in good working order, where they require a little assistance, and whether or not a full replacement is necessary.
Ozark Technology is a Business Technology Provider that helps organizations across the country rethink the value technology brings to their business. Want to partner with us? Let’s chat.