5 problems with legacy technology
According to a survey by Riverbed Technology, of 1,000 IT leaders from across the world, 97 percent say that legacy technology is holding them back. A definition of legacy technology describes the term as “an old method, technology, computer system or application program, of, relating to, or being a previous or outdated computer system.”
Even in the digital business era, legacy applications are a reality for most organizations from small and medium-sized businesses to enterprises. The reality is that those businesses that have not reached the tipping point where they can take advantage of the latest technologies are facing numerous risks every day. Here are just five of the most prevalent problems that dated technology can bring to businesses.
- Increasing operational costs and system downtime
The true cost of legacy technology far outweighs the investment. Because legacy applications cost more to run and maintain, they make the business highly inefficient in terms of OPEX.
Moreover, these systems crash often and require constant attention from the IT department, eating away at employee resources. That constant attention pulls IT personnel away from projects that increase business opportunities and operational efficiency.
Because they suffer a higher failure rate, these technologies require tracking down increasingly rare replacement parts that manufacturers may have stopped supplying. In addition, the constant threat of downtime means that the workforce cannot be productive and the customer base will suffer as even a single downed system ripples throughout the operation.
- Security vulnerabilities
Cyber criminals love legacy technology. This is because they are extremely vulnerable to attack. Unfortunately, businesses face a one in four chance of falling victim to a cyber-attack that could cripple them permanently.
Because many of these outdated systems are no longer supported by the manufacturer, a single unpatched vulnerability can enable attackers to access all applications, middleware, and databases running on the server platform. Plus, without modern backup and disaster recovery solutions and other security solutions and services, the business will never be able to properly safeguard its data today and tomorrow.
For businesses operating under stringent regulatory compliance requirements, the cost of outdated technology can compound those serious repercussions. Compliance standards require that your technology be supported. Not only are audits difficult and costly to conduct in environments with legacy technology, but a breach sets the business up for expensive fees and penalties.
The loss of reputation and customer trust alone could send the business into a financial spiral. Ultimately, the need for comprehensive network and infrastructure solutions that can make the business more agile, as well as secure, is crucial to phasing out or integrating the applications in ways that further the business.
- System incompatibility
Another problem with using outdated technology is that most legacy systems are incompatible with newer systems, which is essential to effectively running the business in the digital age. This also compounds ongoing financial loss as IT-aware competitors reap the benefits of a growing customer base that requires speed, convenience, and security.
- Less support
As legacy technology moves further past the point of manufacturer support, fewer and fewer IT professionals with the knowledge of those systems are available to support them. As these application experts retire or leave the business, the costs of the smaller pool of experts in that technology grow.
- Inability to compete
In the era of cloud services, virtualization, and software-defined everything, legacy technologies can no longer enable the business to remain competitive as customers and clients demand faster responses, products, and solutions.
Consequently, the adoption of cloud via infrastructure as a service, platform as a service, and software as a service enables businesses to move from CAPEX to much lower OPEX models. The need for mobility and secure remote access by the workforce to applications and collaboration tools is an imperative for the smallest business to the largest global corporation.
Every business today is faced with a landscape of accelerating technology that is changing the way business is conducted. Legacy technology systems inhibit business scalability and growth in that constantly evolving digital business landscape. With increased scale and demand, businesses require better throughput capacity and a modern IT architecture to manage operations or face the real prospect of losing relevance and an ability to compete.
If you need assistance assessing your legacy technology and considering new options, give TimbukTech a call at 309-444-7263. We’re prepared to learn more about your business and give expert advice that can make a difference in your performance and budget.
Let’s talk tech upgrades
Tech upgrades can be daunting. There are budgets and capabilities to stay on top of, not to mention how easy it is to overspend or get the wrong thing.
Business owners and management can often forget that even the newest and most cutting-edge technology will someday have to be replaced. No matter how fast or feature-rich that network or computer seems right now, there will come a time when it will need to be upgraded.
It’s best to keep in mind that you may be buying a replacement for current technology in as little as a year or two. How do you factor that into your plans? Let’s go through three factors that could affect your process.
Expected Life Cycle
Most pieces of technology have an expected life cycle that can be predicted. A phone might last a few years, while an external hard drive might make it to ten years of service. When making your plans, consult the manufacturer’s warranties. You can also talk to TimbukTech on what to expect.
You don’t want to count on a piece of technology to last any longer than it’s supposed to. At the same time, you don’t want to plan for those expensive upgrades long before they’re necessary, either.
Device Reliability
Reliability is a separate factor. While there is an anticipated life cycle, you should also be aware that some brands and manufacturers are more dependable than others. You may have Microsoft devices around your home or office that continue to work even though they are several generations old.
In many cases it’s better to buy a quality product that you can count on for a little more money than it is to deal with unexpected expenses later on.
Compatibility
Your tech devices may not stop working. They may just stop working with newer hardware and apps.
Newer and faster things are coming out all the time and you need to anticipate that you’re eventually going to start using tools that outstrip your current devices. That means that it’s better to be slightly more aggressive with your upgrade plans when you aren’t for sure. TimbukTech is ready to provide guidance and advice here, too!
The smartest thing you can do for your business is develop a tech strategy. Your decisions should be based on sound advice from a trusted IT provider like TimbukTech. If you feel like you’re spending too much, getting too little, or not utilizing the right tools, it’s time to call us at 309-444-7263.
Our Canton, Macomb, and Washington, Illinois-based team at TimbukTech knows what it takes to keep a growing business going strong. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation and learn why so many businesses across mid-Illinois trust us with their computers, networks, and devices.
Growing business? Don’t make these IT mistakes!
As an IT consultant, TimbukTech has come across many clients who are not happy with the way their IT shaped up over the years. They feel their IT investments never really yielded the kind of returns they expected and have come to us looking for change and new ideas. When we take a closer look at their IT investments, here’s what we typically find.
IT is not a priority
This is the number one mistake small to medium sized businesses (or SMBs) make. They’re focused on business growth, which includes marketing, sales, and inventory, but they don’t allocate any resources or money towards IT. Often IT investments are made begrudgingly.
The latest or “best” technology might not be for you
This is in contrast to the issue discussed above. Many SMBs realize the key role that IT plays in their business success. But they tend to get carried away and invest in the latest IT trends without considering whether it fits their business needs well, or if they really need it. Sometimes it is just a case of keeping up with the Joneses. But, why spend on the fastest computers or largest hard drives when you get only incremental productivity benefits?
Your team is not on the same page
When you bring in new technology or even new IT policies, it is your team that needs to work on it on a daily basis. If your staff is not on the same page with you, your IT investment is unlikely to succeed. So, before you make that transition from local desktops to the cloud, or from Windows to iOs, or roll out that new bring your own device (BYOD) policy, make sure you have your staff on your side.
Put it to good use
The lure of new technology is like a shiny, new toy. Investing in something popular and then not using it to its maximum is commonplace. Make sure you make the most of your investment in IT by providing your staff with adequate training on how to use it.
IT can seem challenging to navigate when you have to do it all by yourself. Steep costs can be incurred and without guidance, the result of an investment can be unclear. As a managed service provider (MSP), TimbukTech has the experience and expertise needed to be your trusted partner and guide in these challenges. Let us help you make the most of your IT investment.