Don’t assume that putting up with legacy hardware and software is actually lowering your expenses. While you’re not having to pay for replacement systems or spending time installing them, you’re still incurring a number of other costs and exposing yourself to critical risks — do you know what they are?

You can tell when a tool is past its prime, but can you say the same for the business technology you use? The legacy software and old hardware your firm has been using for years is probably holding you back, but you may not have noticed.

Frugality is an undeniably valuable priority in the business world. Avoiding overspending and being resourceful with the assets you have can help to boost your profits and keep your business operating within its budget. However, there is a point at which it will start to cost you. 

The fact is that many of us will continue to use outdated technology long after it should have been replaced. Doing so assumes a number of risks, and forces you to deal with costly and frustrating consequences.

That’s why it’s so important to know when your hardware and software need to be updated.

When Is It Time To Let Go of Legacy Software?

While the mere existence of a newer operating system or new model in the line-up doesn't mean you should automatically upgrade, it is an indication that you will have to do so sometime soon. When a newer version is released, it means the clock is running out on how long the providers will continue to support the version you're using. 

Similar to the issue with hardware, your software also has a lifespan. Because of this, many manufacturers struggle with old legacy software and outdated, unsupported equipment. 

As a result, they often run into issues in which line of business programs and legacy software don’t work well after they’re out of date, or when trying to run them on newer hardware. 

If you’re running outdated, unsupported equipment, you may have trouble with:

• CAM/CAD systems

• Barcoding systems

• ERP systems

• 3D printing

Maybe it’s time to think about upgrading — especially if your technology is approaching end of life.

What Is End Of Life?

End of life means no more bug fixes or security updates for the hardware or software — it’s the end of support delivered by the manufacturer. Over time, there will be a loss of usability and increased vulnerability. While it may work fine right now, it won’t be long before it becomes a problem.

That said, It's not uncommon to procrastinate on technology upgrades. The process can be expensive and complicated, but the fact is that there comes a point in the technology life cycle when failing to upgrade can present a number of serious concerns. 

As important as cost control is, it is equally important for owners and managers to ensure they’re maintaining their competitive edge, using secure technology, and working as efficiently and effectively as possible. 

Without support, security updates, and bug patches, users open themselves up to a number of risks:

• Malware infection

• Out of date anti-virus 

• Expired online banking protections

• Exposed private data

Old Technology Is Expensive To Keep

The main cost of downtime is not the fix itself, it’s the halt in your business’ productivity. If an issue with aging hardware or software takes your firm’s critical systems offline, employees will be unable to complete their tasks, yet your normal business expenses will carry on. 

The economy of downtime is unforgiving — additional costs include:

• Expense Vs. Revenue: During downtime, you incur all the expenses of running a business without the revenue you would usually generate.

• Loss of Focus: Even if downtime doesn’t halt your business processes entirely, some of your staff will have to divert themselves from their normal work to mitigate the problem – again reducing productivity.

• Affected Service Delivery: Furthermore, while your systems are down, you can’t deliver services or sell products to current and potential new clients.

• Cost Of Repair: However you approach fixing the problem, it’ll cost time and money.

3 Signs Your Legacy Software Needs Updating

If you’re unsure as to whether your technology is too old, consider these red flags:

• It’s Multiple Generations Out Of Date: While a single generation out of date doesn’t mean you need to upgrade, after three or four generations you’re getting to the point when you’ll soon reach end of life. This leads to a degradation in usability and greater security risks.

  • Each time a newer version is released, it means the clock is running out on how long the providers will continue to support the version you're using. Eventually the software vendor will not be able to provide support and the vendor’s techs will no longer be trained on or familiar with older versions.

• It’s Slowing You Down & Costing You Money: If your old tech is working so poorly that it stops you and your staff from working, then it’s time to replace it — as simple as that.

• Repairs Don’t Last Very Long: The older your hardware gets, the more often you’ll need to call someone to fix it. The more you need someone to fix it, the less effective those fixes become. That means paying more and more for support to come in and get it running again, the returns on which will quickly diminish.

What Can You Do About Your Old Technology?

The best way to prevent outdated technology from affecting your business is by having a plan in place to make sure your technology doesn’t get too outdated. Make sure you have a hardware and software assessment and refresh process carried out every 1-2 years:

1. Determine Asset Value: The first step will be to assess your current systems. Identifying the state of each piece of hardware and software you’re currently using will help to plan what needs to be replaced and what needs to be updated.

2. Consolidate Your Assets: The good news is that not all technology is necessarily unusable at this point. If older hardware is not completely outdated, organizations can find great value in repurposing that hardware for noncritical workloads or environments where a single server fault wouldn't wreak havoc on business operations. By consolidating this older, but still valuable hardware, you can get a greater return on your original investment in the technology.

3. Upgrade As Needed: After determining what technology is still useful and what needs to be replaced, you can move forward with procuring the best upgrade for your needs at a cost-effective price point.

On the software side, it’s important for you to track the life cycles of your software so that you know well ahead of when they’ll be out of date. 

Generally, vendors give many months’ worth of notice that a certain legacy version of a program is becoming obsolete, and will offer to assist with upgrading to the next version. Similarly, on an ongoing basis, you need to manage patched and software updates for your applications. This will ensure they stay functional and secure. 

Need Expert Assistance Developing Your IT Strategy?

The fact is that you need to have someone in charge of your organization’s IT strategy. They will ensure your hardware and software never gets so old that it puts your productivity, security, or bottom line at risk.
However, this work can’t be left to one of your IT support technicians or engineers — they’re busy with the hands-on work. You need a dedicated role to oversee long-term IT decision-making. 

Unfortunately, finding an experienced IT consultant that is willing to carry out executive-level duties on a small business salary is a near-impossible task. Many businesses can't even afford to hire someone to fill this position — but just because the resources aren't there, it doesn't mean that the need for strategic IT services isn't there either.

Allow happier IT to help — we can come in and offer assistance in IT strategy development to augment your internal resources. As your organization’s dedicated strategic advisor, we will handle a number of key tasks for your firm:

• Consolidation and Optimization: Your dedicated strategic advisor will analyze and resolve any inefficiencies in your existing IT infrastructure to optimize its performance.

• Adoption Of New Technologies: Today's manufacturing businesses can benefit from both properly hosted cloud solutions and carefully managed mobile device implementation — but it takes a certain level of oversight to do it properly.

Your dedicated strategic advisor can make sure that the implementation of these new technologies doesn’t disrupt your firm’s operations, or put them at risk. 

• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): Your dedicated strategic advisor can help you set up and deploy management software for all aspects of your manufacturing operations. This includes things like product planning, marketing, inventory management, shipping, invoicing, accounts receivables and payables, and more. 

Talk to an IT Expert Today

IT strategy (especially when aligned with overall business strategy) isn’t a one-time thing. Your dedicated strategic advisor will work alongside your team to provide ongoing guidance, support, and services. 

Your needs are constantly changing, so your information technology should be too — get in touch with the happier IT team and talk to Manufacturing Industry IT Expert today.