5 things to consider before updating your core IT base

By Chris Larkins

With technology evolving at an unprecedented pace, many organisations find themselves stuck with ageing systems that need to be updated to ensure that legacy systems aren’t hampering digital transformation efforts.  They need to examine their current investments and replace them with modern infrastructure that is compatible with the cloud and application-first world of today.

However, although keeping up to date with the latest ICT trends seems like an obvious choice for a technically minded person, it can come with a hefty price tag, so chief executive officers (CEOs) and chief financial officers (CFOs) need to carefully consider whether return on investment (ROI) and benefits reaped, will justify the expense.

There are many core benefits of upgrading infrastructure, such as enhanced security, improved performance, the ability to scale up and down as needed, and ease of use, as well as reduced maintenance. However, any major overhaul has downsides and hidden costs too, so there are several points that these executives should consider before replacing their infrastructure or systems.

Here are five things to consider before modernising your core IT infrastructure:

1. Risks of upgrading
2. Don’t fall into the tech for tech’s sake trap
3. Soaring infrastructure costs
4. New systems to learn
5. Expecting the unexpected

1. Risks of upgrading

When considering the obvious and highly compelling benefits that modern infrastructure offers, CEOs and CFOs might be hard-pressed to wonder why they should even hesitate when it comes to modernising their company’s core infrastructure. However, just because something is shiny and new, does not mean it is necessarily better, particularly when the entity in question has already established a set of processes that revolve around the current systems and infrastructure.

2. Don’t fall into the tech for tech’s sake trap

A slew of businesses in every sector keep their legacy technology because it does the job they need it to. Others fall into the trap of investing in technology simply for the sake of it without understanding the benefits, or because it is touted as the “next big thing”, and they don’t want to risk being left behind. Therefore, unless these new investments are going to bring a significant improvement to what the current infrastructure offers, supporting or sweating the systems they have might save them time and money.

Any new investment in infrastructure needs to do at least one of three things - it must either improve employee efficiency, increase customer satisfaction, or reduce operating costs. If these business leaders cannot say that some of these benefits will be achieved, they need to reconsider their purchasing decision. This is not to say upgrading infrastructure can’t serve a wider strategic purpose, but it does need more consideration.

3. Soaring infrastructure costs

Upgrading core IT infrastructure such as networking, enterprise computing, servers, and storage can be a costly exercise that requires a considerable investment, something that can often be hard to justify when the current technology is already doing the job or when the systems in question are not at the heart of what makes the business its money. This is especially true of big legacy systems, which take an enormous investment in terms of time and money to replicate into more modern infrastructure. In these instances, expenses can mount rapidly, so CEOs and CFOs need to work out how costs might escalate, and whether or not the necessary capital expenditure provides better returns than the ongoing OpEx to still remain profitable.

4. New systems to learn

Changing core infrastructure also means that employees now need to be trained to work on the new systems, which if not done properly, can slow down efficiencies in operation, as people need to take time off to be trained on any new technology. This needs to be done in a manner that does not disrupt the core functioning of this business.

5. Expecting the unexpected

Similarly, simply because new and modern IT infrastructure promises a wide range of benefits, it doesn’t mean changing the existing systems is without risk. Very few major rollouts of new technology happen without a glitch, and it can take time for any teething problems to be resolved and for the new system to operate with maximum efficiency.

In ending, the message should be that technology is great, but no company should deploy technology unless it helps them achieve their business goals, which is why having a trusted partner to help advise on technology investments, is crucial.

An experienced partner like Tarsus Distribution can help with selecting and implementing IT infrastructure that meets the needs of your business and gives you peace of mind. For assistance, contact us today.