Why Do We Resist Updating Technology?
Updating technology is a major concern for today’s businesses. Technology has rapidly developed over the last 40 years. And these days, it seems like tech companies are coming out with a new hardware or software version before we’ve even learned how to use the previous one. It sometimes feels like we are being manipulated into buying the newest fandangled devices and software features even though we don’t really need them. While it’s true that some of the new features solve real workflow issues, there are others that don’t seem to make any significant improvements.
On top of that, software updates usually outpace the need for hardware updates. There always seems to be a tradeoff when it comes to updating: If I update now, will my desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, or tablet be able to handle it, or will I have to buy a new one?
And even with all the tech companies now offering monthly plans with “free” software updates, replacing hardware can get pretty expensive. This is why most of us resist updating our technology.
- We don’t want to spend money on something before we actually need it.
- We want to put to good use, for a good long time, the investment we have already made in our current technology.
- We remember all too well how much we shelled out for it.
Plus, we like to stick with processes we know. And it’s usually not just us that have to learn the new system. Our entire staff needs to learn it too. Learning a new way of doing things initially slows down our productivity even if it later improves it. So, long story short, there are many opportunity costs to taking the time to retrain everyone.
The real reason for updating technology
The truth of the matter is, there is a balance between hanging on to the old and buying the new. That balance amounts to 3-5 years. Holding onto devices longer than five years means significantly increased issues, repairs and patches, and security vulnerabilities. This basically adds up to increased costs and slower, clunkier workflows
Here is why this is the case: Software applications are meant to interact with other software applications and hardware. And computers are designed to interact with other computers and devices. When there are incompatibilities between them, things get messed up. The result: Network Vulnerabilities. And cybercriminals are always searching for these vulnerabilities. That’s how and where they hack into our network to steal our valuable data.
Computers keep us connected
Computers connect us with the rest of the world – our clients, customers, partners, wholesalers, resources, and every other person we interact with and do business with. Because this is true, we have to keep our computer network compatible with the computer networks that belong to those people.
It is also the hard truth that if our competitors are updating technology, and it increases their speed and decreases their delivery time, our potential customers get used to being treated that well. They will come to expect that of businesses in our industry. And they usually come to expect it of businesses in every industry. This may not be a pretty picture, but it is the way it is. We all know it because we also play the consumer role in many of our relationships.
So, the bottom line is that we all are reliant on each other for personal and business relationships. We do a lot of interacting and communicating through technology. This is especially true in business. We conduct most business transactions over computers, phones, email, and the Internet. Speed and quality of communication and delivery are highly dependent on our level of technology. To achieve a high level of efficiency, it’s important that our hardware and software remain compatible with each other’s. Incompatibilities slow and break down the lines of communication. They also create vulnerabilities in networks.
Read about how communication increases net profit: Business Communication Increases Net Profit
Signs: Is it time to update technology?
Many of us (myself included – proud owner of an iPhone 7) avoid updating because we like to keep it simple and we don’t like to make purchasing decisions based on the latest craze. But now that we know that updating isn’t about that, we can make smarter decisions. (After writing this, I think I’m going to update to the iPhone 12 or maybe wait for the 13 coming out in September.)
There are actually signs we can watch for that indicate it is time to update technology. Three to five years is still a sizeable window. And four to five years is usually pushing it. Within this window of time, it would be good to know when our hardware is getting to what they call “End-of-Life” or EOL. When hardware or software reaches EOL, it means that the companies that design them stop making the parts and security patches for them. And again, most software companies now offer monthly plans which provide automated updates. So, our real concern is when to replace our desktop computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other network devices.
The signs to watch for
- The device is regularly running out of storage.
- Updates cause your computer to have increasingly more issues (e.g., white, black, blue, green screens of death, colored stripes in places they shouldn’t be).
- There are strange lovely noises coming from your computer.
- You can’t even install the updates for your critical software.
Because we’re all on this ride together, we need to keep our technology current. So, hang on to your technology for the full three years before replacing it if everything is working fine. In years four through five, be extra vigilant in watching for the signs. Incorporate the necessary technology updates into your budget. One idea is to replace a percentage of your devices each year so you don’t have to replace everything at once.
If you need help with monitoring your software and hardware, choosing good machines, and keeping them fully functional within their life spans, give us a call: Idaho (208) 510-0967 or Utah (385) 316-7202.
Read more about the signs you need to watch out for: How Long Do Computers Last? 10 Signs You Need a New One
