We have learned over the years that business owners and
executives generally don't think about their networks, or networking equipment,
until it becomes a problem. New servers or data packages aren’t items anyone is
eager to add to a yearly budget, and few business-minded people want to dig
into the technical details of their hardware and software all that often.
Put these factors together and it’s no wonder we often find
ourselves dealing with outdated networks that cause big problems behind the
scenes.
If you have an older network it could be slowing your
company or organization down – both literally and figuratively. To help you
understand why, let’s look at a few issues that tend to creep up when you
haven’t updated your technology for a while…
Poor Connection
Speeds
If you routinely find you get faster connection speeds
through your phone or tablet then you do the actual computers in your office,
that could be a sign your network is outdated or severely overtaxed. Slow
connection speeds aren’t just annoying; they can lead to timeouts, unsubmitted
forms, missing emails, and a host of other issues that cost you money.
Insufficient
Bandwidth for All Devices
Some older networks have equipment that can only handle so
many devices comfortably at once. That can be a big problem, even in a small
office. Once you start adding workstations and laptops to phones, printers, and
even web-connected smart devices onto an aging router (for example), some
employees or tasks are going to suffer. This might even lead to random dropped
connections, or just slow connectivity throughout your business.
A Lack of Proper
Online Security
Emails that won’t send and printers that go offline are
annoying but survivable. Behind-the-scenes, though, a slow and aging network
might not be properly configured to help you fight off criminals who want to
steal your data or hack your website. That’s partly because they might not have
the right encryption or firmware, and partly because they may not be compatible
with newer cloud platforms or virus protection systems. Either way, your
business and bottom line are at risk.
Incompatibility with
Newer Hardware and Software
We all know that the world of technology moves quickly. If
you’re still using equipment or operating systems from years gone by, then it
will inevitably cause conflicts with newer hardware and software. In other
words, if you don’t keep up with the times then the devices and apps you spend
money on won’t work the way they are supposed to (and might not work at all).
To keep your business lean, efficient, and competitive you can’t afford to
waste money on new tech and not get the benefits of upgrading.
Small Aggravations
and Productivity Problems
While we have largely focused on the large issues that come
up with an outdated network, the reality is that living with old servers and
service plans is like dying by a thousand cuts. They’re just so many ways your
business is affected, from online research that takes longer than it should to
VOIP calls that never come through clearly. The end result is a business that’s
slower than it should be, and customers who wonder why you don’t seem to be as
sharp as your competitors. That’s a big price to pay for holding onto an
outdated network.
Need Someone to
Review Your Network Setup?
Want to know if your network is causing you problems, or if
there are cost-effective ways to use technology to solve your biggest business
challenges? Contact the experts at Kinetik IT in Phoenix today. We can schedule
a consultation and show you exactly what is and isn’t working with your current
IT plan.