An unexpected computer shutdown or slow computer can ruin your day, especially for small companies dealing with outdated technology. While extending its life may seem cost-effective at first, the costs often outweigh its potential benefits in the end.

Due to technological issues, such as outdated laptops and slow PCs, small businesses may lose up to 98 hours annually, which equates to 12 working days lost.

An IT refreshment plan is vitally important. It ensures your team operates smoothly, prevents unscheduled breakdowns and keeps you secure.

Refresh strategies can save time, money, and stress over time whether or not they are outsourced to managed IT services providers.

Why It Is Essential To Implement A Strategy

Without a proper strategy in place, old hardware may eventually break. Once this occurs, you may need to find replacement parts quickly or deal with downtime as it impacts clients and team. Additionally, explaining to everyone why progress has slowed may become necessary.

Unplanned actions can result in serious risks, including:

• Unexpected Downtime Even the simplest laptop malfunction can throw an entire day off track.


• Productivity Is Declining: Older tech runs slower and crashes more frequently, hampering productivity.


• Security threats are on the rise: Older computers often miss updates that protect against viruses, leaving users vulnerable.


• Compliance Issues: Compliance can be an ongoing struggle if you must abide by various tech standards and regulations.

Planning ahead can help to minimize future headaches.

An Effective Refreshing Plan

Refreshing isn't about big budgets or tech experts alone - instead it takes an actionable plan tailored to the needs, pace and size of your business to produce real results. Here is where to begin:

1. Replace as You Go

This strategy is ideal for individuals who like making things work until it becomes impossible - yet in an intelligent and sustainable manner.

Replacement should occur gradually instead of all at once. Instead, replace machines as soon as they begin malfunctioning or reach their end-of-life span. If in doubt, consult your IT provider who can assist in determining an effective expiration date based on warranties, performance and whether essential tools still run smoothly on each device.

With this approach, it's possible to spread out costs and minimize unexpected surprises.

2. Consider Regular Refreshes

To ensure maximum effectiveness for your team's technology needs and to avoid delays when something breaks, small businesses generally refresh their computer hardware every three years.

This can assist in various ways:

• Avoid the accumulation of outdated and slow machines.


• Prepare (and budget for) replacements early.


• Bulk purchases may provide more advantageous prices.

Staying current with technology requires reliable and systematic solutions. Here is one way to stay current: get rid of obsolete pieces.

3. Consider Compatibility Issues

Technology does not exist on its own. Your old laptop might not be capable of handling a new software update, while cloud apps might not install properly on an outdated operating system.

Waiting until something breaks or stops working with your tools will leave your business scrambling for solutions. Your IT partner should conduct regular checks to make sure all software and equipment are compatible, serving as an annual checkup of sorts for your technology.

4. Don't Fear Leasing

It can be costly for small teams to purchase new equipment outright, so leasing can be an ideal alternative if upfront costs are an issue.

Most IT vendors offer flexible lease terms. In some instances, vendors even provide upgrades every few years as well as transition support so you can purchase the latest gear without spending a large sum at once.

Maintain a Hardware Register

Stay organized with all of your technology with this straightforward yet effective strategy. All it requires is an excel spreadsheet containing this list:

What equipment do you own?

Hardware Registers provide an effective tool to organize hardware assets and eliminate guesswork in planning. Instead of saying, "I think we bought that laptop some time ago", now you know where everything stands!

Hardware registers allow you to:

Before patterns disassemble, look for patterns.

Budget Smarter'

By being informed and using budget software effectively, you can negotiate better deals with vendors.

Do not allow old devices you have misplaced to become security risks.

Waiting too long can be costly

Relying on outdated hardware to save money can end up costing more, with your team becoming slower, having more support calls, and being vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

Upgrades become more difficult when your equipment has reached the end of its useful lifespan; all must be changed simultaneously to stay abreast of cutting-edge technologies and not fall behind.

What Next?

Here is an action plan if you want to stop fighting IT fires and start planning ahead:

Make an inventory. List everything that belongs to you and its age.

Determine your hiring goals: Are you hiring, switching software platforms or adopting cloud computing as part of your refresh plan? Your future-looking goals must be reflected in it.

Speak to an IT service provider; they'll help you identify the optimal time, budget and options (including bulk purchases or leasing) for you.

Set an easy schedule: By making a plan and sticking to it, having an organized strategy for getting everything done will help ensure a seamless experience.

Check-in frequently: For best results, perform regular reviews once or twice per year to stay on track with your goals and priorities.

Stay ahead by renewing smart technologies regularly. For inquiries on how to fortify your business:📞 (404) 932-5940 or 📩info@nuwaveitc.com