IT hardware is some of the most important equipment that a company uses on a day-to-day basis. It is required to perform critical tasks and relied upon in almost every field of work. Unfortunately, not all businesses have a hardware replacement plan for upgrading outdated equipment. Here are some things you should consider when making a plan to replace IT hardware.
Why a Replacement Plan is Necessary
As you probably already know, most computer software is only supported for a certain amount of time before it is discontinued. Once software such as operating systems and database applications are discontinued, they no longer get regular security updates and can become less stable and have compatibility issues. This can also open the door for hackers and viruses to infect an outdated network. Once software is upgraded, hardware must also be upgraded to meet increased system requirements.
Generally speaking, most IT hardware will become obsolete within 4-5 years. This is due to advancements in computer technology and evolving software solutions. With older computer hardware it becomes increasingly difficult to adapt to new software that is needed to conduct business operations. Staying up to date with competition and being able to meet the needs of customers, while important, are not the only reasons for upgrading hardware. Network security, functionality, and system stability are the most important reasons for performing regular upgrades.
Creating a Replacement Plan
San Diego IT consultants recommend creating an IT replacement plan for every 5 years to replace all hardware that is expected to become obsolete. An IT replacement plan should include items such as hardware that will be replaced and the estimated cost of new hardware. That way you will be able to budget material costs ahead of time to make sure there are enough resources to purchase replacement hardware when the deadline is reached. The plan should also include how the replacement will be executed. Since most businesses will not want to shut down their operations to put in new hardware, there should be a plan for how new hardware will be integrated with the existing infrastructure. Will the workstations be upgraded and replaced first, or will the servers be replaced first? How much downtime should be expected for each phase of the upgrade? How long will it take to configure software and settings? These are all things that must be determined carefully.
Keeping your business technology up to date and working efficiently is not an easy task, but having a schedule for hardware replacement and planning ahead can often save time and energy in the long run.
For more information on replacing hardware without disrupting business, call Syndeo Communications at (760) 650-3300. As a leading IT support company in San Diego, our IT consultants can speak with you over the phone or schedule an in-person meeting to discuss your individual business needs.