I.T. Infrastructure Upgrades: How Do You Know When the Time is Right?
A strong I.T. infrastructure is crucial for most businesses. You may rely on hardware, software, and cloud services for everything from assigning tasks to invoicing clients.
But if you treat your I.T. infrastructure as an afterthought, you could harm your company’s performance, productivity, and finances more than you realize.
But how do you know when the time is right to upgrade your I.T. infrastructure? Here are the most common telltale signs to watch out for.
Your energy bills are higher than you think they should be
Relying on outdated hardware can leave you paying more for your energy than you may actually need to. And this could make a significant impact on your finances. Even if it doesn’t seem like much day after day or week after week, it’ll all add up by the end of the year.
The latest equipment tends to be designed with energy efficiency in mind. Manufacturers know how important an eco-friendly approach is today, when organizations of all sizes try to reduce their carbon footprint as best they can.
Even if your I.T. infrastructure comprises hundreds of machines running 24/7, upgrading to the best hardware within your price range could still help you bring your energy bills to a more balanced level.
That might just free up more cash to invest back into your business, whether that’s increasing salaries, refreshing the decor, or investing in a new coffee machine.
Your computers need more and more work to function properly
You may be reluctant to invest in new computers for your workforce, especially if it’s growing consistently. Surely if employees can access the platforms, tools, and files they need, they can keep using the same hardware for years to come?
Well, sadly, that’s not the case.
The applications that your team relies on could be running at reduced efficiency on outdated equipment. This would deny employees the full range of features and quality performance they need.
The potential cost of upgrading your I.T. infrastructure can be off-putting at first, but it can save money in the long run, as well as time. You won’t need to keep pulling your I.T. technicians away from essential tasks to fix the same old issues again and again, or paying to repair equipment with components that are getting harder to find.
Furthermore, if you upgrade your I.T. infrastructure, you can ensure your employees all work with the same hardware. This helps to prevent compatibility issues that could lead to mistakes or delays.
You’re running low on storage
When businesses depend on outmoded on-site data storage, you may run out of space before you even realize your capacity is getting low.
This means you may be unable to store critical files safely and securely. Which brings a risk of losing hours upon hours of hard work — just imagine a hard drive crashing, rendering hundreds of client invoices inaccessible.
Upgrading your I.T. infrastructure will bring you the storage solutions you need for maximum convenience. Company disk size can be increased to boost your capacity, based on your operations and bespoke requirements.
You don’t have the bandwidth you need to scale your services
It’s easy to underestimate the importance of bandwidth. You may be able to get by on a slower internet connection in the early days of your business, but as your company gets bigger, your bandwidth should scale with it.
For example, it’s common for businesses of all sizes to embrace automation tools. These perform tasks automatically to leave your employees with more time and boost efficiency overall. But you should have the highest bandwidth you can afford to take full advantage of more automation.
Improving your bandwidth will also keep your website running smoothly, while helping your employees to communicate and collaborate without lagging or delays.
You’re worried about your business’s cybersecurity setup
An effective cybersecurity setup should be a priority. Hackers and cybercriminals have access to increasingly sophisticated tools to hit companies, through ransomware, phishing scams, DDoS attacks, and more.
In Canada, around one in five businesses have been affected by a cybersecurity incident or data breach since 2017, while half of small companies are believed to be vulnerable to attack.
Over 35 percent of the businesses attacked estimate they lost more than $100,000, though 20 percent had no idea how much an incident cost them.
Aging hardware and unpatched software can leave companies more vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks. Your employees may inadvertently install suspicious software onto their computer, infect your network, and bring operations to a complete standstill until a specialist can fix the problem.
That could cost you a lot of money and cause clients to wonder how secure their sensitive data is in your hands.
Upgrading your I.T. infrastructure will bring you the peace of mind you need to feel protected against the latest threats. You can reassure clients that you’re utilizing cutting-edge equipment and security measures to safeguard their information from unauthorized users.
Work with experts to improve your technical systems
GenX Solutions can upgrade your I.T. infrastructure and empower you with the right setup for your operations. This covers everything from enhancing your data storage capacity to redesigning your I.T. backoffice to maximize efficiency. Your in-house technicians will be able to keep your systems performing at their best with all the tools they need.
We can update your aging hardware and offer tailored recommendations based on your processes, goals, and budget. Our team will take the time to understand the issues your current technical systems are creating, and implement a clear plan to deliver the improvements you need.
We’ll even offer assistance in office relocation when you’re transitioning to new premises. This includes moving I.T. equipment and setting it up, so your team can get to work immediately.
To learn more about our I.T. infrastructure services, and our other solutions, contact the GenX team today!