The Telltale Signs That Are Saying to Upgrade Your IT Infrastructure

By the end of this year, global IT spending is expected to reach $3.92 trillion. One of the main reasons why businesses are increasing their IT spending is to upgrade their IT infrastructure.

If you’ve been on the fence about making some changes to your IT department and IT infrastructure, keep reading. Outlined below are some signs that indicate it’s time to level up. 

What Is IT Infrastructure?

The term “IT infrastructure” refers to all of the components needed to operate and manage a business’s IT needs. This includes various hardware and software programs, operating systems, data storage, and other networking tools and technologies.

These components are often deployed using a cloud computing system. However, they may also be deployed within a company’s facilities.

Signs You Need to Upgrade Your IT Infrastructure

Plenty of businesses are investing time and resources to upgrade their IT infrastructure in 2021. They want to make sure they’re using the latest technology to provide better service to their customers and to keep their data (and their customers’ data) safe.

You might assume that your company’s IT infrastructure is perfectly sound. Before you decide to opt-out of any upgrades, though, consider whether or not any of the following apply to you and your business:

Old Computers

Old computers are more likely to cause IT issues than newer models. They’re more prone to freezing, crashing, data backup issues, and more. If it’s been a while since you’ve updated your computers, or if you’ve never updated them since you opened your business, now might be a good time to do so. 

Outdated Software

Old computers often can’t support the latest software programs (or, at least, can’t support them efficiently). If you’re using old software programs, this may be affecting your business’s productivity, security, and employee satisfaction.

Hardware Inconsistencies

If everyone on your team is using different types of hardware (including various makes and models of computers), it’s harder for everything to run smoothly. This is especially true when it comes to collaborating on projects or transferring data from one employee to another.   

Slow Systems

Constant technology freezes are frustrating for everyone. They also eat into your company’s productivity and, by default, its bottom line. To maximize productivity and profitability, make sure you’re using the latest systems whenever possible.  

Constant Server Crashes

Similar to slowdowns, server crashes can also wreak havoc on your team’s productivity and profitability. Crashing servers can also be an indicator of more serious IT infrastructure issues (such as malware infections), so you definitely need to take them seriously. 

No Cloud Computing

If you’re not using the cloud at all, your team may be struggling with a lack of flexibility or difficulty collaborating. Cloud computing is the way of the future, and most businesses are actively transitioning to use it (if they’re not already).

High Repair Bills

Are you constantly spending money on technology-related repairs? If so, it could be because your infrastructure is outdated and in need of replacing. Investing in upgrades now could save you a lot of money later on.

High Utility Bills

You may also have higher-than-average utility bills if you’re using outdated equipment that sucks up a ton of power. Spending the money to get new equipment now could lead to major energy-related savings in the future.

Recent Security Breaches

Your IT audit checklist should always include items regarding security. If you’ve recently had to deal with a security breach at your company, you ought to be looking at your IT infrastructure to determine whether or not it contributed to the problem.

When companies use old, outdated hardware and software, their chances of dealing with security issues increase. Investing in new infrastructure now will help you protect your company from future problems.     

How to Choose the Right Managed IT Company

If you’ve reflected on the signs mentioned above and have decided that it is time to update your IT infrastructure, consider working with a local IT company to make the transition easier.

Outsourcing your IT needs to a team of professionals is a great way to simplify the upgrade process. It’ll also help you to feel confident that you’re making the right decisions for your business.

If you have several IT companies in your area and aren’t sure which one to choose, consider the following:

Availability

The sooner a company can start working with you, the better. If possible, try to find a company that can meet with you and start providing IT services right away.

Response Time

Be wary of companies that take a long time to respond to your questions. Even if they’re not available right away, they should still get back to you promptly. 

Costs

Don’t base your decision solely on price. However, it’s still valid to ask about how much a company’s managed IT services cost so you can budget accordingly. 

Disaster Recovery

Look for companies that offer disaster recovery services. They should have a clear plan in place in case something happens to your company’s data. 

Vendor Partnerships

One of the greatest benefits of hiring a managed IT company is that they can work with vendors on your behalf. They can help you get the best equipment and software and the best prices. 

On-Site Support

If possible, look for a local company that offers on-site support. This can be very helpful when you’re dealing with a crisis and need immediate help.

Proactive Maintenance 

The company you hire should have a proactive maintenance plan in place, too. They shouldn’t wait until something goes wrong to step in and do their jobs. Instead, they should have a plan for preventing IT issues as much as possible.

Partner with the Best IT Experts Today

After reading through the signs that indicate it’s time to upgrade your IT infrastructure, are you feeling more prepared to take the plunge and make some new investments?

If so, partnering with the right managed IT company can make the transition to new technology a lot easier. Follow the steps outlined above so you can find the best team of IT professionals for the job.

If you need more advice on how to improve your company’s IT department, be sure to check out the Technology section of our site today for additional insights.