Why Holding Onto Your Old Technology Is Hurting Your Business
Supporting old technology is expensive. Maintenance costs increase, performance declines, compatibility issues become more common, and security vulnerabilities go unresolved.
Putting off that pricy replacement may not save your business the money you think it will. In fact, it may end up doing the opposite, leading to downtime, security risk, and slowdowns.
In this post, we’ll explain the costs of aging technology, the risks of delaying upgrades, and how to plan for the future.
Key takeaways
- Holding onto old technology can lead to:
- Increasing maintenance and repair costs as hardware ages.
- Slowing employee productivity through poor performance and downtime.
- Creating Compatibility issues with modern software and business applications.
- Increasing cybersecurity risk when vendors stop releasing security updates.
Replacing old technology before it fails reduces downtime, improves security, increases productivity, and makes IT costs more predictable. Working with a managed service provider (MSP) and using IT asset management (ITAM) helps businesses plan technology replacements before they become expensive issues.
Just Because “It still works…”
Replacing old technology isn’t always cheap or easy. Updating operating systems can cause software issues, finding the time to configure and install a new server can be a massive headache, and fitting replacements into tight budgets can seem impossible.
It’s no wonder that 71% of organizations run aging or obsolete technology (according to NTT Data’s inaugural Lifecycle Management Report).
But sticking with something that “still works” likely won’t save you the money you think it will. Here’s why you’re going to want to replace your old tech sooner rather than later…
It ends up costing you more.
Let’s say you’re running an older computer and the cooling fan breaks. Now you need to find a compatible replacement part, and depending on how old the system is, that part may not even be in production anymore. That pushes you toward more expensive third-party vendors who charge big markups for refurbished replacement parts.
The numbers back this up as well, with a study conducted by Techaisle showing that small businesses spend an average of $427 on repair costs per year on computers that are 4 years or older. Holding onto an old computer for just two years longer than you should can mean spending around $850 on repairs, which is around the price of a brand-new PC.
It wastes time.
Even after you’ve repaired it, the computer still won’t run as fast as a modern system. Sure, waiting an extra few minutes for an old PC to boot up in the morning may not sound like a big deal, but add that up over the course of a year, and it tells a different story. That’s downtime hidden in plain sight.
In fact, the same study by Techaisle also shows that businesses waste around 42 hours of productivity per system per year due to older technology performance and repairs.
It causes compatibility issues.
Modern software doesn’t always account for old technology. At best, it may run with limited performance. At worst, it won’t run at all.
You can even see this with widely used software like Adobe, where newer updates and features require modern operating systems like Windows 11 and stronger hardware capabilities like RAM specifications.
The longer you hold onto old technology, the more compatibility issues you’ll have.
It’s a serious security issue
Technology isn’t supported indefinitely. Eventually, vendors stop releasing updates and security patches as they move on to newer systems. Any vulnerabilities still present when support ends, meaning hackers have much more time to exploit them.
When you rely on outdated software, you leave your business exposed to vulnerabilities. In fact, according to a report by Bitsight, organizations that use old technology are three times more likely to experience a data breach.
It’s kind of like having a broken window that never gets fixed. There’s always a chance someone can get in.
“But wait! What if I rely on old technology?”
Some businesses rely on old versions of a specific software (known as legacy software) for very specific jobs. These exceptions happen, and aren’t uncommon. That said, it’s important these outdated systems remain disconnected from your network. ONLY use them for their specific purpose, and nothing else. If that system is ever reconnected with your network, you open up risk.
An MSP Can Help You Manage Your Hardware
Replacing your old technology can be an overwhelming prospect for any business owner. Where do you start? How do you budget for it? It’s a lot to consider.
That’s where a managed service provider (MSP) comes in.
As tech experts and consultants, an MSP can help you navigate the complex process of upgrading outdated hardware and software. One way they do this is through IT asset management.
The Stages of IT Asset Management (ITAM)
IT asset management is a strategy that helps businesses track, organize, and manage their technology. It provides a clear overview of what technology they have, when it will need replacing, and how to plan for those upgrades.
Here’s how it works:
Planning
ITAM starts with understanding what you already own. Your MSP creates a record of your technology, tracks its age, and helps plan for when a replacement will be needed.
Acquisition and Deployment
Once it’s time for a replacement, your MSP can help you find the right technology, prepare it, and install it with minimal disruption. This could include configuring a network device, installing security software, or scheduling a computer installation.
Disposal and Retirement
Anything that may contain sensitive information (like a hard drive) must be properly wiped and destroyed before disposal – and it’s required by law. Failing to comply with proper data destruction can result in fines of $2,500 (or more) for each violation.
Monitoring & Maintenance
Your new technology won’t be immune to problems. Software bugs happen, things break, and security issues can appear. That’s why MSPs use remote monitoring tools to identify issues, automate maintenance, and keep systems updated. That way, your tech can reach a healthy retirement age exactly as planned.
The End Result: Clean, Safe, and Budget-Friendly
Replacing your old technology means saving time and money in the long run. And if you’re looking for an MSP to help you do just that, look no further than The 20 MSP.
Through proactive monitoring, automated updates, and ongoing security management, we help businesses stay ahead of their technology and avoid unexpected problems. We also help create customized IT asset management plans that keep replacements organized and within budget.
With one predictable monthly fee, you can rest easy knowing that your tech is being managed, maintained, and replaced when needed, all while staying within your budget.
If you’re looking for a partner to tackle your tech, reach out to The 20 MSP today.
FAQ: Why Holding onto Your Old Technology Is Hurting Your Business
What is old technology?
Old technology is hardware (PCs, laptops, servers, and networking equipment) or software (operating systems and business applications) that no longer receives vendor support or can no longer keep up with modern business needs.
Why is old technology bad for businesses?
Old technology increases costs, reduces productivity, and creates cybersecurity risks. Older systems run more slowly, require more frequent repairs, may not support modern software, and eventually stop receiving security updates, leaving known vulnerabilities exposed.
What happens if I need to run old software?
If your business depends on legacy software, keep the system isolated from your primary network whenever possible. Restrict its use to only the application you need and avoid using it for any internet-connected activities to reduce cybersecurity risk.
What is IT asset management (ITAM)
IT asset management (ITAM) is the process of tracking, managing, and planning the lifecycle of your technology. It helps businesses know what technology they own, when it should be replaced, and how to budget for future upgrades before aging equipment becomes a problem.
How can an MSP help?
A managed service provider (MSP) helps businesses monitor, maintain, and secure their technology throughout its lifecycle. An MSP can also help develop an ITAM plan, recommend replacement schedules, and help deploy new technology with minimal disruption to your business.
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About The 20 MSP
As a leading provider of managed IT services, The 20 MSP serves thousands of businesses nationwide, providing each one with white-glove service, secure and streamlined IT infrastructure, and 24/7/365 dedicated IT support. We believe in building lasting relationships with clients founded on trust, communication, and the delivery of high-value services for a fair and predictable price. Our clients’ success is our success, and we are committed to helping each and every organization we serve leverage technology to secure a competitive advantage and achieve new growth.
