Aging IT infrastructure doesn’t just cause inefficiency; it’s also a huge risk for your organization. Just look at the NHS in the UK; according to Encyclopedia.pub, the WannaCry ransomware virus rendered almost 70,000 of the health service’s devices inoperable. A major reason the NHS was so vulnerable is because it relied on outdated Windows XP systems.
Clearly, if you want to protect your organization from disaster, you should upgrade your aging IT infrastructure. Read on to learn more about these crucial IT infrastructure solutions.
The Risks of Old IT Infrastructure
If your company uses old IT infrastructure solutions, you’re at risk of multiple problems. This includes:the following problems:
- Older systems are more likely to crash and they take longer to reboot, causing increased downtime, operational delays, and loss of revenue
- Cybercriminals are more likely to attack your organization as outdated systems are more vulnerable
- Old IT systems are slower and may not support new apps causing decreased productivity and efficiency
To eliminate these issues, you’ll need to identify your problematic infrastructure.
Assess Your Current Infrastructure
To perform a comprehensive audit, you should identify all hardware and software nearing or exceeding their end-of-life (EOL) date. There’s no set way to determine the EOL date, but here are some of the common methods:
- Check the manufacturer’s website for a list of product lifecycles or EOL announcements
- Look up official EOL notices or documentation
- Review your warranty information
- Use third-party databases like EndOfLife.date
- If all else fails, you can try contacting the manufacturer directly
In addition to obtaining EOL dates, you should also review system performance data. Some systems can form bottlenecks that slow down even if they’ve not reached the EOL yet. After doing these checks, you’ll have all the information you need to form a modernization plan.
Upgrade Your Systems
When upgrading your systems, start by replacing components that have the highest impact on your operations. For example, if you find machines running on operating systems that no longer receive security upgrades, you should upgrade to a secure OS as soon as possible.
Consider adopting scalable options such as cloud-based infrastructure, as these will allow you to scale up your operations as demand increases or adopt hybrid work structures. Through cloud-based solutions, you’ll reduce your dependency on aging on-premise systems.
Future-Proof Your IT Infrastructure
Technology will keep changing, so it’s important to have a strategy for periodic hardware and software upgrades. Stay informed on emerging technologies, and invest in training your IT teams on the newest technologies and systems. This will help you maximize the value of your upgraded systems.
Outsourcing IT management is beneficial, too. A partnership with a managed service provider (MSP) means they will handle maintenance, updates, and infrastructure modernization on your behalf.
Mitigate Your Risks With IT Infrastructure Solutions
Replacing your IT infrastructure may seem like a huge ordeal. But if you don’t do it, not only will you take on unnecessary risks, but you’ll also slow down your company’s efficiency.
So replace your aging technology with modern IT infrastructure solutions. They will cost less in the long run and ensure long-term viability for your business.
Contact us today if you need an MSP to assist with tech upgrades. We have almost two decades of experience and offer custom-built IT plans.
