Most modern businesses operate with some kind of tech scope nowadays, and as time goes on, it might become clear that you’re in need of an upgrade. Whether your current equipment and tools are feeling obsolete or you’ve simply seen some options that seem like a vast improvement on what you have, upgrading your tech is a necessary step sometimes. However, it’s also one that should be done with care to ensure that you’re making effective, secure choices.
Define Your Goals Clearly
When it’s time to update your office tech, you should make sure that you have clear goals in mind. For instance, you might want to prevent the slowdown you’re currently experiencing due to low RAM or an old hard drive, which means you might want to focus on components that ensure that your tech stays smooth for longer, while you might be able to improve productivity with the right software choices. Identify your specific pain points, whether it’s security vulnerabilities, work process inefficiencies, or remote work challenges, so that you’re more likely to identify the solutions that can satisfy those needs. A goal-driven approach with clearly ordered priorities makes sure that you’re not going to be distracted by flashy options that don’t really speak to the core reasons behind the update in the first place.
Upgrade Your Hardware Strategically
If your needs are primarily performance-based, then you’re most likely going to need new hardware, but how you implement it can affect everything from the costs of the upgrade to how much onboarding your team may need with it. Sometimes, you don’t have to buy a whole new device; adding RAM memory, upgrading your storage from hard drives to solid-state drives, or improving other components might do the trick. In other cases, such as those where you have to replace multiple components, it may simply be more cost-effective to buy a new system entirely. This is especially true for old motherboards, which may not be able to install new software or operating system updates after a while.
Backup and Migrate Your Data
If you are switching to new hardware devices, then you should make sure that your data is backed up first. Ensure that you have accounted for all critical files, applications, and system configurations, using either secure physical backups or encrypted cloud storage. Make sure that you verify the data, moving it back to another device to ensure that everything is there and that nothing is corrupted. Plan your data migration ahead of time, as it can take quite some time to complete, especially if you’re uploading data to the Cloud over the internet. This way, you can make sure that you have all of the data and tools when you do switch to your new hardware.
Dispose of Your Old Tech Responsibly
When you upgrade hardware, you typically want to get rid of the outdated models to save space and money. However, it’s important to be careful in how you dispose of them, as they might contain sensitive business data, even if you’ve tried to wipe the system. Make sure that the data is fully erased with the help of an experienced electronic recycling company. These can use advanced methods to make sure that not only is your data fully erased, but that the components and materials that make up the device are disposed of in the most responsible way. They can also provide the documentation you might want to keep to show your own due diligence in staying compliant with environmental and data security regulations.
Train Employees to Use Their New Tools
In some cases, you’re able to migrate your employees over to new hardware systems without too much trouble, as they might be using all the same tools that they used to. However, when it comes to installing new software, using new software, or trying out new peripherals and hardware accessories, you should spend a little time training your team to get comfortable with the new tech. Having one or two employees who have gotten used to the new tools in advance can help your team address any questions on the fly, reducing frustrations and helping them get up to speed with it. Show your employees how their new tools support their roles so that they can look forward to the onboarding without quite as much dread.
An office tech update done well can unlock new levels of productivity and value, but a few missteps can result in high costs and serious security issues. Take the time to plan out your upgrade as mindfully of the risks as possible with the help of the tips above.
