The Risks of Outdated IT Infrastructure

Outdated IT infrastructures are not only a risk to business continuity but also a barrier to the road to digital transformation. Businesses that have not reviewed their IT infrastructure in a long time, should be thinking about how this will impact their business in the long run. Only then can they stay competitive in the market and streamline their business process.

From reduced productivity to increased costs, discover the top risks that will make you rethink running your business with outdated legacy technology.

1. Reduced productivity – no matter how much your team wants to do their jobs well, everything will run slower and take longer with outdated systems. This will ultimately affect your team’s productivity and often lead to frustration and low morale.
   
   
2. Loss of competitive edge – failure to embrace the right technology can leave your company a step behind its competitors. This reduces your ability to scale and change with market needs which can lead to decision paralysis.
   
   
3. Data loss – losing critical data can lead to losing an opportunity, and even worst, to losing a customer. If the systems you’re using are out of date, then you have a higher chance of losing data due to repetitive system failures that could have a direct impact on your bottom line.
   
   
4. Increased costs – legacy systems cost you more than you realize. The older a system gets the more likely it will need constant updating with the latest software versions. It may not seem much when you are updating it as and when, but these costs can add up to a lot over time, especially for big organizations. Upgrading all your network, processes, systems, devices and software can save you lots of money and resource in the long run.
   
   
5. Exposure to cybersecurity threats – by using outdated computer software, you leave yourself open to security threats that can impact your entire network, from data breaches to ransomware attacks. Also, if a third party manages critical data on your behalf, any outdated systems they have can also make your data vulnerable to additional risks.
   
   
6. Regulatory compliance risks – whether you are an insurance firm, hospital, construction firm, manufacturing company, or another type of business, many companies are operating in industries with compliance requirements for the ways in which information is collected, stored, and shared. You can be penalized or run into legal trouble if your technology does not comply.

How will I know it’s time for an IT infrastructure upgrade?

1. Your systems are running slow
2. Your servers are down too often
3. Out-of-date software
4. You're battling against limited storage space
5. You don't have a solid backup and recovery plan
6. Getting complaints from employees of slow and disruptive systems

A lot of businesses are still running on legacy systems because they have a fear of change, and their complacent mentality sticks with the old “If it isn’t broke, why fix it?”. But the truth is there is a time to say goodbye to legacy and hello to digital transformation.

Not sure where to start? We can help you assess your business, discuss the state of your technology, and provide an actionable and tailored roadmap to transform your business. 

Contact our team at enquiry@andersenit.com.au today or fill-out the form below.