The constantly evolving technological advancements pose a significant challenge for most businesses. In many cases, the computer systems they use have become obsolete or outdated, unable to keep up with technological innovations. This raises the important question of whether complete equipment renewal is the only viable option or if there are more effective alternatives.
Kingston Technology Europe Co LLP, a division of Kingston Technology Company Inc., a global leader in memory products and standalone technology solutions, offers recommendations for addressing this dilemma. In terms of business performance and cybersecurity, keeping computer systems updated plays a crucial role. It is essential to understand when it is necessary to completely replace the hardware and when an upgrade, involving adding memory and storage media to improve processing speed, may suffice. Here are some of the reasons why companies should consider the option of updating their systems instead of opting for a complete renewal:
Productivity and efficiency
First and foremost, it is essential to keep systems updated to work effectively. Existing hardware could hinder the company’s performance or even leave it vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. Both issues could be resolved by upgrading the systems. This way, the company could continue planning for its future growth and scalability without the need for a significant investment. The user experience would also be much better, as it would be accompanied by faster and more efficient systems.
To achieve this, companies need to conduct regular assessments to understand the state of their systems and ascertain their technological needs.
Environmental awareness
Companies are increasingly aware of the ecological impact of replacing entire systems. In response to this – and if possible – updating certain components such as DRAM and SSD is a much more sustainable and environmentally friendly option.
Therefore, the proposal is to try to extend the life of devices through upgrades, as companies have the possibility to extend their technological change cycles between 3 and 5 years.
Saving money
Deciding whether to completely renew computer systems or upgrade them is also closely related to the budgetary needs of the company. A complete overhaul of the company’s computer system can be very costly. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out such a renewal only if the equipment has become obsolete and is putting the company at risk.
Technological obsolescence
Another compelling reason to update systems is technological obsolescence. The end of the useful life of a technological device complicates the task of updating the systems, often forcing users to acquire new products. This is because part of the old hardware no longer receives support from its manufacturers or is incompatible with newer devices. However, some problems can be solved by upgrading them.
It is necessary to find a balance between updating systems to improve performance through memories and SSD and the acquisition of new technologies. There may come a time when it is necessary to acquire new equipment because the old ones have reached the end of their useful life, but until this is inevitable, the ideal approach is to adopt a gradual upgrade approach:
Replace critical security components.
Migrate to new platforms in stages.
Upgrade to technologies compatible with existing systems.
Plan a 3 to 5-year roadmap for a complete infrastructure renewal.
“For companies, it is essential to find the right balance between the costs of a complete update of computer systems and the maintenance of system performance, otherwise, it will affect the security and performance of the company,” says Jordi García, Iberia Team Leader of Kingston. “Therefore, we believe that upgrading equipment with DRAM and SSD is a good alternative to extend the device’s lifecycle, while saving money and setting an example of sustainability.”