It is tempting to hold onto your existing IT equipment for as long as possible, particularly when budgets are tight.
The acceleration in the rate of technological development means equipment installed today is likely out of date six months or a year from now. Hence, the constant demand to acquire the latest gadgets and innovations or risk falling behind in the race to be the most efficient.
There’s another reason why companies will prolong the life of their IT assets: managing IT systems requires a growing team of specialised staff.
While it may be tempting to keep using your current devices and system for as long as possible, not only are you just avoiding the inevitable, but there are, in fact, several advantages to regular updates and upgrades, says Apple Premium Reseller and Authorised Service Provider Digicape.
There are four good reasons to upgrade:
Your existing IT system and devices are outdated
This results in more time spent on unplanned maintenance, with higher costs for replacement parts. This in itself poses a challenge, as sourcing outdated parts can be a difficult and frustrating exercise. It is often more cost-effective to upgrade than seek to replace parts for old equipment.
Replacing old parts with newer versions boasting better features and capabilities may introduce more problems for the IT team around issues of compatibility with the existing system.
One reason to update Apple devices and systems is to access new features, such as improved user interfaces, additional functionality, and better performance.
One way to power through load shedding is to acquire laptops with extended battery life. For instance, with up to 22 hours of battery life on the new M3 Mac range, the hardware can easily outlast extended load shedding stages.
The unified memory architecture of the Apple silicon M2 chip delivers fast, fluid multitasking and consistently high performance. This leap in chip efficiency not only improves performance but also extends battery life.
Your system is slow and devices unresponsive
Old IT systems will be slower, and that is to be expected. Problems emerge when you introduce new applications that are resource-hungry and slow down the overall system. This is another good reason to upgrade: newer devices will likely have faster processors, more memory and storage space as well as better graphics capabilities. This allows software to function faster and smoother without running out of storage space.
Digicape advises updating your Apple devices every three years to obtain the optimum performance it is renowned for. And because the provisioning allows for an almost zero-touch experience, deploying Mac at scale across the business network is a smooth, simple process requiring minimal IT resources.
Mac also integrates seamlessly with Microsoft software suites. Apple regularly releases updates that address performance issues, such as lagging or slow performance. By installing these updates, you can help to improve your device’s speed and responsiveness, ensuring optimal performance at no additional cost.
Your system is not compatible with the latest software
This is another reason to consider upgrading. When you update your device, it comes with the latest software and drivers to give you more features and functionality that enhance productivity and allow for collaboration with colleagues.
Apple regularly releases updates that address bugs and other software issues, so there is no need to purchase an operating system licence or a software maintenance contract for Mac. By installing these updates, you can help fix any problems you may be experiencing with your device.
Increased security
This has become a critical risk issue for companies, given the potential for data breaches, ransomware and other IT security issues. This is particularly important given the potential liability of security breaches under the Protection of Personal Information Act.
IT security is now a critical part of managing business risk and is treated as a top priority in most firms.
Older gadgets might not have the most recent security updates, making them open targets for hackers. Generally speaking, newer devices have greater security features and get frequent updates to fix any security flaws.
Mac devices are renowned for being more secure and much less vulnerable to viruses and hacking than their competitors, thanks to the underlying architecture and built-in security features. Apple IT automatically pushes out security patches for Mac at no cost. When you update your device, you install the latest security patches.
The bottom line: most technology enhancements are designed to enhance efficiency, and any efficiencies that lead to improved productivity and employee engagement will ensure an important competitive advantage for your business. This is why system upgrades make commercial sense, says Digicape.
To find out how Digicape can help you upgrade your current IT environment and take the next step on your ongoing Apple journey, click here.
Brought to you by Digicape, an Apple Premium Reseller and Authorised Service Provider.
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