No matter how well you look after your equipment, it won’t last forever. Technology is always evolving and upgrading. As a business owner, it’s important to keep up. Otherwise, you might find yourself lagging behind competitors, and losing valuable clients.
How do you know when it’s time for an equipment refresh?
If it’s not broken, you still might need to fix it
We’ve all heard the phrase ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. However, sometimes this isn’t actually the case. Even if your equipment isn’t technically broken, it could still be holding you back. For example, the software you use might be slower than newer, more up-to-date software. Which could decrease productivity, efficiency and accuracy.
Being proactive with your equipment refreshes will stand you in good stead for the future. A great way to do this is to have a formal policy in place, which will help prepare you for the costs, and any disruption to workflow during the transition.
The I.T. Department provides some helpful recommendations for time scales on your equipment refreshes, including:
- Servers replaced after 5 years
- Desktops replaced after 4 years
- Laptops replaced after 3 years
- Mobiles replaced after 2 years
Slow and steady doesn’t always win the race
When it comes to your equipment, slow and steady isn’t a good sign. If your equipment is running slower, it might be because it’s on its last legs. You might think it’s worth holding to save on the investment for a newer model, but this isn’t always the case. Slower machines cost you time and efficiency, which ultimately costs you money.
Slow equipment could also be a sign that the software just isn’t up to scratch. After all, upgrades happen for a reason – to make existing software faster, smoother, and more compatible. If you stick with the older models, you won’t reap the benefits of the upgrades. In fact, you could be subjecting your business to faults in the systems and equipment that have actually been fixed in upgraded models. And in some cases, sticking to the old models could stop your equipment from working altogether. For example, IOS11 means that iPhone 5 or 5c and the fourth-generation iPad no longer get updates and are basically obsolete.
Talk to the people using them!
If you’re running a business with several employees, you might not be able to stay on track with each and every piece of equipment. That’s why it’s important to talk to your employees about the equipment they’re using. How is it helping them? How is it slowing them down? Is it easy to use?
You can learn a lot from having open and honest communication with your staff. Not to mention, if you fail to upgrade your equipment, it can lead to increased staff turnover. Most millennials say a company’s technologies play a part in their decision to accept a job, and 42% say they would even quit if the work technologies weren’t up to par.
Ready to upgrade?
You might have read this blog and realised it’s time for your business to have an equipment refresh. That’s great. But where do you start? That’s where AFP Digital can help.
We offer expert advice and guidance on all things smart office, from upgrading your equipment to improving your workflow. Get in touch with us today to find out more.