ROI for Tech Purchases: Save Clients More Than It Costs Them

Written by Tiffany Bloomer
October 24, 2019

Look to the future in determining tech needs and upgrades that keep clients in growth position.

… automatically upgraded as part of the licensing model. Windows 7 and its predecessors didn’t have that capability. These automatic upgrades should also happen in the new Windows server environments, which is yet another reason to upgrade hardware now.

Let’s recap the benefits of updating your hardware:

Improved performance, speed and efficiency. With newer hardware, you reduce problems and unforeseen downtime — and remember, every minute an IT issue isn’t resolved is costing you money. A study by IDC found that nearly 80% of small businesses experienced downtime, with the cost ranging from $137 to $427 per minute. An outdated IT infrastructure burdened with performance issues can result in diminished worker productivity, poor customer service, lost business and a negative impact to your bottom line, while new systems will deliver improved performance and keep both customers and employees happy. Making the necessary upgrades to critical hardware infrastructure can also help you avoid many unforeseen security risks. Not to mention, some of the newer software versions also need more computing power than their predecessors, requiring users to upgrade hardware prior to installation. Your IT infrastructure is at the core of your business, and if you’re trying to run on an outdated platform, you’re asking for problems.
Security and peace of mind: New hardware not only improves the performance of your IT platform; it also ensures you receive any relevant updates from the hardware manufacturers and provides a current platform for new and updated software applications. Hardware and software alike often have vulnerabilities which vendors patch on a regular basis. As mentioned above, when support for older versions of applications comes to an end, these security patches are no longer provided, which can put your system at risk. The same can happen for hardware, so if you’re running on an unsupported and outdated IT platform, you will not be receiving critical security updates and patches. With so many data breaches in the headlines every day, as well as ransomware attacks and other threats, why put your business at risk?
Smart investments save money in the long run: Consider updating hardware when evaluating your customer’s IT infrastructure for 2020. Keep in mind that old hardware can be very expensive to maintain and typically is out of warranty, leaving the expense of repair on your IT budget roster. Thus, you might not be saving your customers the money you think you are by failing to replace older equipment.

With newer, better hardware, you’ll see improved performance, have access to powerful new tools and see workplace efficiency skyrocket. Further, by reducing your energy footprint with energy-saving technology, you can positively impact your customer’s bottom line while also doing something environmentally friendly. Upgrading will also enable access to new capabilities like remote management. Overall, they’ll see huge benefits in their business environment.

Tiffany Bloomer is president of Aventis Systems, a premier IT solutions provider to small and medium-sized businesses. Prior to Aventis Systems, she worked at Epana Networks, Viscom International and Fusion Marketing. She earned her master’s degree in international business and marketing at Georgia State University. Follow her on Twitter @AventisSystems or on LinkedIn.