Keeping obsolete equipment for as long as possible is an excellent method to stretch your IT budget. However, the expense of doing so is far more than just replacing the technology. Continuing to use outdated hardware and software can be detrimental to your company’s productivity, finances, and overall security.
In 2022, data breaches alone cost businesses $4.5 million per breach. While saving a couple of thousand dollars on a tech upgrade seems like a smart financial move, the hidden cost tells a different story.
The Hidden Price of Outdated Tech
There are several ways in which old technology is costing your company money. First, older systems move more slowly, forcing your staff to work slower, reducing productivity. Secondly, these systems can potentially fail altogether, resulting in unexpected downtime and significantly denting your deliverables.
There’s also the security risk factor to consider. Because known flaws are no longer patched, obsolete software and hardware are more vulnerable to hackers..
To be on the safe side, you must keep up with the latest software and technology. As a result of this concealed risk, your business may fail compliance checks.
How To Know Your Tech Needs Replacing
Here are a few signs that it’s time to upgrade your technology:
1. You are Still Using Windows 10 or an Older Version.
With Microsoft stopping support for Windows 10 in October 2025, no further security updates will be fixed, leaving your systems with vulnerabilities. If you tend to use Windows 10 after its end-of-life date, you are opening yourself to cybersecurity and compliance risks. In order to keep your business safe, begin planning your upgrade and make the jump to Windows 11 now.
2. You Often Contact IT for Recurring Technical Issues.
Frequent crashes and slow systems aren’t just frustrating; they’re a sign that your tech is not functioning properly.. Every crash makes employees frustrated, productivity is lost, and the IT department is stuck fixing problems instead of tending to more important matters.
3. Your Current Software isn’t Compatible with the Latest Tools.
The issue with outdated software is that it may not be compatible with mobile apps or cloud platforms. This restricts your ability to try new technology, serve clients effectively, and expand your firm.
4. Your Devices are Slowing Down Your Team.
The whole productivity of your team is being slowed down if their computers are freezing, crashing, or taking a long time to boot up. Ultimately, time is a resource, and both suffer from ineffective systems.
Devices older than three to five years should undergo performance and energy efficiency audits to ensure they aren’t negatively impacting your productivity and energy usage.
5. You’re Relying on Outdated Security Mechanisms.
If your company’s firewall or antivirus software has not been updated in years, your data is at considerable risk. Cyberthreats change quickly, so your defenses must evolve to keep your firm secure. In many situations, ransomware attacks start with old technology.
You Don’t Have To Do It Alone
We can relate to your concern that updating technology may seem expensive; however, retaining sluggish, antiquated systems can result in higher costs for patchwork fixes, lost productivity, and security flaws. The good news is that there are many smart, reasonably priced upgrade options available to keep your company operating profitably.
If you want a trained team of specialists to assist you in making the move to new technology and inform you when things are outdated, contact our team to organize a FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call.
During this brief talk, we’ll be able to plan out the next steps to keep your organization secure, productive, and cost-effective.
