5 Signs It’s Time To Upgrade Your IT Infrastructure

18th August 2016 | In Business Transformation

Technology is constantly evolving with newer, faster and better performing equipment on the market. It can be difficult to know which technologies will be of most benefit to your business. And when the best time is to upgrade. Of course, there are many reasons why a company may choose to upgrade. But there are a few key warning signs you definitely shouldn’t ignore. If any of these ring true, it might be time to think about investing in some new infrastructure.

1. You experience too much IT downtime

IT downtime can be a real hindrance, reducing productivity and therefore costing your business money. Whether it’s internet connectivity issues, server failure or just slow applications and software, downtime is a frustration for all involved. And it can be avoided. Investing in a hardware upgrade might seem like a big expense. But the savings you’ll make through improved productivity, will more than make up for it.

2. Your energy bills are sky high

IT solutions undoubtedly account for a significant expense within a business but are equally indispensable so, in many cases, this is an expense not to be challenged. However, old, inefficient hardware wastes a lot of energy meaning, whilst IT expenses cannot be fully removed, they can be significantly reduced. In many cases the energy savings that can be made with new servers, more than covers the cost of the servers themselves

3. Data security is a concern

Old systems running old software will be far more vulnerable to attack than systems running the latest software featuring the most recent updates. If your hardware systems are too old to run the latest operating systems and software programs, your business is more vulnerable to cybercrime. In the wake of increasing security breaches within SMBs as well as Enterprise businesses, this is a pressing concern not to be ignored

4. You are faced with inconsistent and disparate hardware across your business

Inconsistent hardware across your business, within one office or across multiple premises can lead to control and management issues. Compatibility problems, procurement challenges and not to mention unnecessary costs. Upgrading and streamlining your systems so you are faced with consistent models and configurations simplifies management and procurement, reduces costs due to economies of scale and allows for easy movement of equipment, accessories and spares across the business.

5. Future-proofing

Whether you are anticipating significant business growth that will need accommodating. Or are keen to realise the benefits of new technologies such as SDN and cloud, you need to make sure your infrastructure is fully equipped to withstand the demands you intend to place upon it. In so doing you will reap higher performance, avoid failures and save money in the long run. These are just a few of the tell-tale signs that your business’ IT solutions are in need of an upgrade. Here at Hardware.com, our engineers are on hand to talk you through any infrastructure changes you are considering. Or, if you are uncertain which direction you should be taking, we can offer full technical consultancy or networks audits to identify any issues that need resolving and ensure your infrastructure is fully aligned with your business goals.