In a business landscape that’s increasingly driven by technology, the decision to upgrade your IT infrastructure is not just about keeping up with the latest tech trends. It’s about ensuring the very survival and growth of your business. In this blog post, we take a deep dive into the five indicators that signal the need for an IT infrastructure upgrade, and why you should consider hiring a local managed IT services provider to ensure a seamless transition.
What exactly is your company’s IT infrastructure?
Your IT Infrastructure refers to the composite hardware, software, network resources, and services required for the operation, management and very existence of an IT environment. Think of it as the brain that makes all other functionality possible.
Components of your IT infrastructure include physical devices such as computers, hubs, and routers. Software could include ERP, CRM, and other tools used to gather, process, analyze and disseminate information. Your network is where Internet connectivity, firewall, and other security measures live. Data management and storage, whether internal or cloud-based, is where all your data is warehoused. The support of all of this is one of the key types of managed services.
So when do you need an IT Infrastructure upgrade?
5 Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Company’s IT Infrastructure
Sign #1: Outdated Hardware And Software
An outdated IT infrastructure is the Achilles heel of efficiency.
The struggle with outdated business servers is as old as technology itself. When your business server starts resembling a relic from a bygone era, it’s a clear sign that an IT infrastructure upgrade is long overdue.
The C-Suite has very specific reasons to want to upgrade to the latest IT infrastructure technology. For the CEO, this presents a direct threat to the business’s bottom line and its market reputation as outdated technology often means reduced operational efficiency and an increased risk of system failures. For COOs, these inefficiencies escalate operational costs, while the CIO has grave concerns about security vulnerabilities that come with old systems.
In essence, upgrading your IT hardware and software is not just a matter of staying current; it’s about safeguarding your business against a myriad of risks.
Sign #2: Inability To Scale
Scalability is the number one growing pain of any business needing an IT infrastructure upgrade.
As your business grows, so should your IT infrastructure. CEOs are acutely aware that a lack of scalability can impede their company’s ability to adapt and expand in the market.
Operationally, maxed-out systems can cause bottlenecks that have the potential to affect everything from customer service to product delivery. An increasing load on IT resources can lead to overworked, frustrated, and very unhappy employees.
Upgrading to a scalable IT infrastructure such as cloud-based solutions or modular servers is crucial in supporting the growth trajectory of businesses of all sizes.
Sign #3: Poor Performance And Downtime
Few things are more detrimental to a business than employees who are handcuffed by aging business servers.
Antiquated IT infrastructures can prevent employees from successfully doing their jobs. When your internal IT team spends more time putting out fires associated with poor performance & downtime instead of focusing on strategic initiatives, that’s a very clear indication that you need an IT infrastructure upgrade.
Not keeping up with current technology can also affect vendor, peer, and client relationships because your older systems simply don’t work with the sleeker, newer tech they’re using.
When you update your company’s hardware and software, you’re not just making an improvement, you’re protecting your business and positioning it for greater success.
Sign #4: Security Vulnerabilities
In an era where cyber threats are ever-evolving, maintaining a secure IT infrastructure is paramount.
There are legal and financial repercussions of security breaches, not to mention the loss of customer trust. CEOs are nervously watching a falling bottom line, COOs are worried about the loss of sensitive data. Aging IT infrastructures can not only result in revenue loss, but also potential damage to the brand’s reputation.
The challenge is to stay ahead of threats, which can only be achieved through constantly updating and fortifying your IT infrastructure.
Sign #5: IT Infrastructure’s Inability To Support A Remote Workforce
When COVID struck in 2020, many companies around the globe scrambled to find the tech to allow their companies to operate with a remote workforce.
Failing to support remote workers can limit a company’s ability to attract and retain talent, hinder operational efficiency, and not give those working remotely the tools they need to access company data and conduct business.
Upgrading your IT infrastructure to support remote work, through technologies like VPNs and cloud services is no longer optional; it’s critical.
When do you need a Managed IT Services Provider to update your IT infrastructure?
A Managed IT Services Provider can assist in the strategic planning and ensure that the IT upgrade aligns with your business goals. MSPs also play a vital role in risk management, identifying potential issues, and ensuring a smooth transition to the new systems. Plus, on-going support and maintenance ensures that your upgraded infrastructure continues to perform optimally.
No infrastructure upgrade is plug and play. Every new implementation has its own challenges and its own opportunities, and it takes experts in the field to ensure the system you replace isn’t only better than your current one–but exponentially better and agile.
At Frontline, we have specialized knowledge in the latest IT infrastructure technologies and best practices. Frontline, LLC is a managed IT Services provider in Los Angeles, CA. We help you stay focused on running your business, while we make the tech transition virtually pain-free. In addition, we eliminate the risk and expense of building and managing a dedicated, in-house IT staff, which is also better for your bottom line. If your current MSP is letting you down, it may be time to switch your MSP.
We also partner with industry-leading IT solutions and business performance providers. We are a Microsoft Gold Partner, a Cisco Meraki Technology Partner, and a Juniper Networking Elite Partner. If you need an IT Infrastructure upgrade, Frontline, LLC can help! Learn more about our vCIO services here.