If you run a small-to-medium sized enterprise (SME), chances are that your IT budget is stretched thin. Chances are, you’re prioritizing cloud infrastructure and other IT needs above the needs of your end-users – and that you’re running quite a few old computer systems because of it.
This may seem like a good idea to save money. After all, if a computer still works even though it’s running an older OS, or it’s a bit slow, you don’t have to spend money on new systems – and you can keep your older equipment running longer for a better return-on-investment (ROI).
But this is not always the case. In fact, outdated workstations and computer solutions can actually cost you more money. Find out how below!
Poor Employee Productivity
The first issue is employee productivity. Older computers cannot run many applications at once, and they consume more power and have a shorter battery life – all of which can cause employee productivity issues.
A powerful, current-gen PC allows your workers to multitask and become more efficient. Think of it this way. If a new PC costs $1000, and a worker who makes $100/hour is able to improve their efficiency and do just an extra hour of work per week, the PC will effectively “pay for itself” in just 10 weeks!
It Often Costs More To Repair Old Computers Than To Replace Them
A survey by Techaisle done of 700+ businesses in 6 countries showed that, due to the declining costs of modern computers, the cost of repairing an older PC was often equal to – or exceeded – the cost of a new one. Businesses spent an average of $427 on repairs for PCs that were over 4 years old, and this did not even include lost productivity due to workstation damage and failure.
More IT Issues Leading To IT Stress Or Overstaffing
Older computers are harder to fix and troubleshoot, and tend to crash and have other issues more often. This means that you may need more IT service desk employees – or, if you don’t hire additional employees, that your current IT employees must ignore other critical tasks to help users recover from crashes and system failures.
Old PCs Don’t Make A Great Impression On Clients Or Customers
This may seem silly – but it’s true. Clients are not going to be impressed if they walk into your conference room, and all of your employees are using bulky, heavy, and outdated laptops from 2011.
The same is true if you are running a small business, and a customer comes in and sees you using an outdated desktop or POS system.
It’s a sign that you’re cutting corners – and if you’re not even willing to provide your employees with the best tools for their jobs, how can your customers expect great service from your company?
Equipping your employees with modern, sleek, and efficient computers helps you avoid this entirely – and empowers them to be more effective at their jobs.
More Vulnerable To Hacking Or Data Loss
At a certain point, operating systems like macOS, Windows, and even Linux systems stop receiving support from developers. Outdated operating systems are often full of security vulnerabilities which cannot be patched or fixed, due to the age of the system.
This means that they are much more vulnerable to both hacking and data loss, which can lead to some very expensive problems for your company. Using modern Winnipeg computer solutions helps you avoid this issue entirely – and ensures that all of your employees are using safe, secured, and patched systems.
Invest In New Computer Solutions Today – And Revolutionize Your Business
The cost of new laptops or computers is insignificant compared to the amount of time and hassle saved – and the boosts in productivity that your employees will enjoy. So don’t wait. Assess your systems today – if they are more than 3 years old, it may be time to replace some of them with more modern computer solutions.
