Breaking up is hard to do, especially when it’s with expensive technology that your business has relied on for years. But just like staying in a toxic relationship prevents true happiness, hanging on to legacy hardware is worse in the long run and costs much more in resources and headache than just ripping off the band-aid.
Your feelings are valid, and we’re holding space for you. That’s why we’ve compiled several key reasons why it’s okay to let go of outdated software and hardware so you can find true love with technology that understands you and meets your needs best.
Signs it’s time to move on from old tech
Is your IT giving you the cold shoulder? These are the signs it’s time for a clean break and a fresh start.
They spend all your money
Many business leaders avoid moving on to new technology because of the steep costs involved in updating and upgrading. This is understandable; getting back onto the dating scene usually requires splashing some cash and the comfortable familiar option seems preferable.
But outdated hardware and software cost you more in the long run than the capital you’ll need to replace them. Those gold diggers require specialized support because of how outdated they are, and they’re often incompatible with more current systems, necessitating more expenditures to get the same effect.
Furthermore, old tech just doesn’t put the effort into your relationship like it used to, meaning worse productivity and efficiency due to poor performance and frequent breakdowns. You (and your IT budget) deserve better.
They get you into trouble with the law
Like most businesses, you are likely beholden to at least one digital privacy/security law, such as:
These regulations require you to protect the data of your clients with up-to-date cybersecurity measures, and failure to do so leads to steep fines and degraded customer confidence. Don’t let your messy old systems get your business into hot water because they can’t follow the rules.
They don’t put in the work to improve themselves
Technology vendors can only support so many versions and iterations of hardware and software. Take Windows 8.1 for example: it’s no longer supported by Microsoft because they have to focus on Windows 10, 11, and beyond.
If you’re operating with old software or hardware that your vendors or IT services provider can’t support, you’ll find yourself with problems you can’t fix and extended downtime in addition to the costs of upgrading.
If your technology isn’t willing to better themselves for the sake of your relationship, it’s time to move on to IT that will support your future instead of trapping you in the past.
They hang around with some seedy characters
Perhaps the most pressing reason to upgrade your outdated software and hardware is cybersecurity. Your old IT isn’t equipped with the latest updates and countermeasures so it can’t protect you from the latest cyberthreats.
Cybercriminals are constantly poking around popular hardware and software looking for vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity companies patch these vulnerabilities to prevent these attacks in the future. But if you’re still using the old versions you are wide open to sophisticated attacks, such as:
- Zero-day threats
- AI-powered scams
- Advanced ransomware
- Fileless malware
- And more
You need IT that understands the importance of protection and won’t expose you (or your technology infrastructure) to harmful infections.
Ready for a healthy relationship with productive, secure, and up-to-date technology?
Getting rid of the dead weight in your IT infrastructure is just step one. You need to follow up with replacements that are aligned with your business goals and serve the unique challenges of your company and industry.
Contact SpectrumWise, and our experienced consultants will work with you to create a personalized plan for your IT upgrades. We’ll examine your current setup, business needs, and future goals to recommend the best possible replacement technologies. And since we have partnerships with the IT industry’s leading vendors, we can provide you with the best possible prices.
