According to a study conducted by the team at Microsoft, 90 percent of the consumers they polled said they would use another business is they felt a particular company was using outdated technology. This same study found that technology over four years old experienced an average of 21 hours of downtime. Microsoft also found that computers over three years old are 53 percent more susceptible to things like viruses.
Some business owners think keeping the same technology in place is a great way to save money. The fact is that using outdated technology can cost you more money in the long run. Here are some of the signs you may notice when it is time to update the technology your business is using.
1. Connection Speeds Are Slow
Are the connection speeds in your small business reminiscent of the bad old days of dial-up internet? If so, it is definitely time for a change. Without faster internet speeds, you and your employees will struggle to get your work done in a timely manner. By reaching out to your internet service provider, you can find out what your upgrade options are. Investing money into an internet upgrade will pay off in the future.
2. Frequent Security Attacks
Did you realize 60 percent of small businesses that suffer a cyber-attack close their doors for good within six months? Rather than letting your business suffer due to a lack of security, you need to assess the safeguards you have in place. If your company has experienced a number of small-scale cyber-attacks over the past few months, it is time to upgrade the security you have in place. With the assistance of an IT professional, you can figure out what needs to be done to properly secure your network.
3. Constant Computer Crashes
While there are many reasons for computer crashes, the most common is the actual age of the computer. When the computers in a small business are constantly crashing, it can lead to deadlines being missed and lots of stress. Replacing these old and damaged computers with newer models can make your life much easier. Not sure what type of computers you need? Contact a reputable IT company to find out what they recommend.
4. Productivity Levels Are Low
Having old and outdated equipment will usually bring productivity to a screeching halt. If employees have to wait a long time for things to load or are constantly dealing with computer crashes, they will be unable to do their daily work. The lower your company’s productivity levels get, the more it will affect your bottom line. Updating the technology in your workspace can fix these productivity problems for good.
5. Your Hardware Can’t Be Updated
Replacing computer hardware can be a bit expensive. Failing to replace damaged or outdated hardware can cause a vast array of problems. Using outdated hardware will make it impossible to work with the latest software programs on the market. As technology progresses, the makers of software programs slowly start to phase out older versions of their products. Instead of experiencing compatibility issues due to outdated hardware, you need to update it as soon as problems are discovered.
6. Astronomical Energy Bills
Are your energy bills through the roof? One of the main causes for rising energy bills is outdated technology. Many of the older computers were not built to be energy-efficient. Keeping old computers in use will only lead to you paying higher energy bills each month.
Is it time to update the technology your business uses? If so, contact Monster Technology to find out how they can help. Their team of well-trained professionals will have no problem finding and implementing the latest tech tools into your daily operations.