Outdated IT Equipment In Your Construction Firm
You understand that when it comes to the tools and equipment your crew uses, continuing to use them after a certain point becomes frustrating and even dangerous. Whether it's a saw or a crane, everything has a lifecycle - and that includes your IT.
If you can’t tell when your IT has gotten too old, do you have someone who can? Your IT company should help you manage your technology lifecycles.
3 Signs Your Technology Is Way Too Old
There are many obvious (and some not so obvious) indicators that it may be time to upgrade your technology:
- New Versions Are Available
While the mere existence of a newer OS or new model in the line-up doesn't mean you should automatically upgrade, it is an indication that you will have to do so sometime soon. When a newer version is released, it means the clock is running out on how long the providers will continue to support the version you're using. - You’re Falling Behind The Competition
You may be noticing that your competitors have far surpassed your capabilities and are able to provide clients with features and products that you are unable to offer. If you are finding it hard to keep up with your competitors, it might be time to consider how new technology can enhance the work you do. - Fixes Don’t Last Long
The older technology gets, the more support it will need. That means paying more and more for support to come in and get it running again, the returns on which will quickly diminish.
Outdated Technology Is Expensive - How Much Does Downtime Cost Your Firm?
If your old tech is working so poorly that it stops you and your crew from working, then it’s time to replace it. The downtime caused by old hardware isn’t worth the money you’re saving by hanging on to it.
Whether you agree or not, it's a fact – Ponemon Institute estimates that every minute of even partial downtime can cost as much as $5,600.
The main cost of downtime is not the fix itself, it’s the halt in your firm’s’ productivity. If an IT-related or natural disaster occurs and takes critical systems offline, employees will be unable to complete their tasks, yet your normal business expenses will carry on.
The economy of downtime is unforgiving – it grinds your firm to a halt, racks up expenses, and keeps you from getting anything done.
- Expense Vs. Revenue
During downtime, you incur all the expenses of running a firm without the revenue you would usually generate. - Loss of Focus
Even if downtime does not grind everything to a halt, some of your staff will have to divert themselves from their normal work to mitigate the problem – again reducing productivity. - Affected Service Delivery
Furthermore, while your systems are down, you can’t deliver services or sell products to current and potential new clients. - Cost Of Repair
However you approach fixing the problem, it’ll cost time and money.
It’s Time To Take Stock Of Your Hardware
1. Does Your Hardware Function Properly?
As step number 1, it doesn’t get much easier than this:
- Can you turn it on?
- How long does it take to start up?
- How long does it take to execute tasks like opening applications?
In a nutshell, you need to know whether your hardware is holding you back, making you wait, and slowing your firm down.
2. Is The Software Up To Date?
Now that you’ve determined how functional the hardware is, the next step is the software. Even if this technology hasn’t been turned on in a week, there will likely be some updates that have to take place.
Updates are important because they correct existing errors and mistakes in software, and patch potential flaws that could leave it vulnerable to security threats.
One by one, open up each program you would plan to use on a regular basis. If there are updates that need to be installed, a pop-up window will likely open on start-up. However, if the previous owner turned off that automatic function, you’ll need to manually check for updates, which can be done in the program preferences.
3. What Is The Status Of Licenses And Warranties?
After double-checking that everything is up to date, the next step will be to confirm the status of any existing licenses and warranties.
Depending on the type of firm, there may be specific software needed for daily operations. The bottom line is that if you need it to get work done, you should know whether you can use it.
There are a variety of reasons why you may decide to hold off on making a major upgrade to your technology, such as the cost and hassle. However, avoiding the issue for too long will do more harm than good, and will affect your productivity, security, and ability to get work done.
Make sure your IT company is helping you manage hardware lifecycles - if they can’t, then consider working with Data Magic. Our team can help you evaluate your IT environment to make sure everything is up to date and ready to meet your team’s expectations.
