Every organization has its own timeline for buying and replacing essential pieces of hardware, but there are general guidelines you should consider when making those decisions. Technology purchasing is complicated for many companies, especially if you don’t have your own in-house IT department to help you manage, evaluate, and update your hardware needs. While there are many factors, including budgetary restrictions, that contribute to IT decisions, the cost of keeping an out-of-date server could be severe. We’ve compiled a short list of things to consider when deciding what to do with your server.
Age
Like all pieces of hardware, servers aren’t made to last forever. Typically after 3-5 years, you risk hardware failure, which could lead to unexpected and costly downtime for your business. Additionally, advances in technology mean that newer pieces of equipment are generally faster and more efficient than older hardware.
Cost
The cost of maintaining your on-premise server may be more than your organization should spend. Between the cost of electricity, cooling, maintenance, and replacing old hardware, you may find that it’s time to look for a new solution. Decreases in productivity due to aging and slow technology could also cost your business more in the long run.
Security
Older machines have increased vulnerabilities. When you upgrade to a new server, you can feel confident that it is compatible with the latest security patches and updates. Older machines may not be able to handle these updates, or an expired warranty on your machine may mean they are unavailable to you. Updating your technology is one more way to protect your organization from cyber-attacks.
There is no one size fits all answer for when a server should be replaced. It is important to consider all of the risks and benefits of making a large IT purchasing decision to see what the best solution for your organization is. You may also decide that you don’t want to purchase a new server but that moving to the cloud is a better solution. If you would like the support of a team of IT experts in your server upgrade or cloud migration, please contact us.
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