The Information Technology lifecycle is becoming shorter each year and customer expectations are rapidly evolving. Business competitors are leveraging the most that they can out of digital practices, and it is never too soon to upgrade your business technology.

Technology upgrades can quickly prove themselves worthwhile, not only for improving IT performance but also in terms of saving costs and enabling employees to accomplish far more in less time. Outdated technology can expose your company to cybersecurity risks.

When last did you check if your IT infrastructure was running efficiently? If it has been a while, Westech has a couple of questions that you can ask your IT department to ensure that your business is running optimally.

When did you last upgrade your operating systems?

Older versions of software may cause your network to slow down, resulting in frustrated employees who find their work hampered. Windows 10 updates and security patches are performed virtually immediately on the new subscription-based packages, which result in enhanced protection and allow your employees to take advantage of all the latest programmes and apps to increase their productivity.

Systems older than Windows 10, Microsoft’s latest operating system, have potential security issues that will make your entire IT network vulnerable to hackers, malware and other attacks. Nowadays, an antivirus, antispyware and a firewall are not enough to protect your network from the latest cyberattacks which are launched daily.

When last was your IT hardware technology updated?

Outdated hardware is described as being five years old or more. If computers, printers and other peripherals become obsolete, then you may experiences issues such as find drivers for them that support all the latest operating systems and software. It may seem like a good idea to keep old equipment from a cost-saving perspective, but this equipment will require more maintenance, upgrades, and repairs in the long run. If your company server crashes because it hasn’t been upgraded, you are putting your company revenue at risk.

Are you still filing paper copies?

Printing and filing documents for safekeeping, unless they are original copies for legal reasons, is outdated and limits access to information. Important business documentation should be scanned in and made available on the company server or stored in the cloud.

Is your network fast and reliable?

Nowadays, businesses expect to have a high-speed network available 24/7, especially with so many more employees working from home and after hours. You may need to consider updating your broadband connection to high-speed fibre broadband for improved efficiency and greater connectivity.

Reviewing your IT technology regularly will contribute significantly towards accomplishing your business goals and strategies and will result in increased productivity. Contact Westech for an IT audit to see how your company’s IT infrastructure can be effectively optimised.