The emergence of newer technologies and more powerful software is creating an accelerated demand for newer and faster machines. But how often should we upgrade? Networking devices are becoming outdated faster than ever, check out our video to see how often you really should be upgrading.
One of the biggest issues companies with a business network face is the fast pace of technological advancement. Six months after you purchase computer hardware, there are always new and better options available. In some ways, this problem has only gotten worse over time. For networking devices, they need constant attention, and at least an awareness that upgrades are constantly coming out. The question becomes why and when to invest in upgrades rather than just assuming if it isn't broken, don't fix it.
There are many reasons why companies want to upgrade. The most pressing is security. Cyber-crime has been getting more frequent and severe for a couple decades, which will be one of the biggest challenges for IT in the 21st century. A company that does not keep its security systems up-to-date is putting itself at risk. Currently there is no other option besides consistent re-investment in these systems.
WiFi is the fastest changing field in network hardware. Data demands continue to increase as WiFi standards are constantly pushed forward by new technology that’s planned years into the future. So, if you need higher speeds there will have to be upgrade every few years to keep up with the latest standards.
Newer connection types require connectors and wiring which can maintain a stable connection. Many newest internet speeds, especially 10G+, require higher-quality connections than your business' existing wiring. It's important to keep in mind that an upgrade to new network equipment may also require a wiring upgrade to achieve maximum performance.