(October 23, 2023) Are legacy systems and applications (outdated technology) dragging down your organization? If so, you’re not alone. According to a recent Dell study, 70 percent of the software used by Fortune 5000 companies is decades old.
Many IT leaders take the position that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Needed upgrades are put on hold due to the cost, effort, and potential for disruption. Business leaders may also issue a mandate to eke out as much ROI as possible from existing technology investments.
However, outdated technology comes with significant costs and risks. Here are six reasons why organizations should keep their technology up-to-date.
Security Threats
Old applications and unsupported operating systems create serious security risks. Hackers can easily identify unsupported software and exploit known vulnerabilities that haven’t been patched. Legacy apps are risky because they depend on outdated hardware and aren’t designed to address today’s threats. Employees often download consumer-grade applications to compensate for their employer’s old technology. However, these apps typically do not have the same level of security as business-grade applications.
Potential for Downtime
Obviously, older equipment is more likely to fail, increasing the risk of downtime. Something as simple as a failed hard drive, power supply or cooling fan can result in downtime. Replacement parts may be difficult or even impossible to find, leading to extended downtime that seriously disrupts operations.
Maintenance Costs
Outdated technology is more expensive to maintain. Because replacement equipment and support are scarce, vendors are likely to charge more for maintenance contracts. Maintaining outdated software written in legacy programming languages is increasingly difficult and expensive due to the scarcity of IT talent. Dell estimates that organizations spend up to 80 percent of their IT budgets maintaining legacy on-premises hardware and apps.
Regulatory Compliance Risks
Outdated technology makes an organization more susceptible to regulatory compliance violations. In many cases, older equipment and software may not be capable of satisfying today’s stringent regulatory requirements. Unsupported equipment also increases the risk of a data breach, which could result in regulatory penalties.
Technical Debt
Technical debt refers to the long-term cost of not fixing a problem or choosing a “quick fix” because it’s cheaper or easier. Technical debt accrues over time because future rework is typically more expensive. Although the term was originally coined in reference to software development, it has come to apply to every aspect of the IT environment. Maintaining outdated systems to save money in the short term incurs technical debt.
Opportunity Costs
Legacy applications and equipment make organizations less competitive than those with up-to-date technology. Older systems and associated business processes tend to be inefficient. For example, systems take longer to boot and may need to be rebooted more frequently. Applications may run slowly, and older equipment may not support the latest software versions. Worse, outdated technology can cause customer churn and make it difficult for organizations to take advantage of new business opportunities.
How Mainstream Can Help
Old servers and computers may turn on and function when you hit the power button. Old operating systems may enable employees to do the bare minimum that their jobs require. But in today’s hypercompetitive marketplace, you need more than the bare minimum.
Mainstream is committed to providing IT solutions that maximize productivity and minimize disruptions. Our experts can assess your IT environment to help determine if old technology is holding you back and recommend the best path forward. Contact us to schedule a no-obligation consultation.
ABOUT MAINSTREAM TECHNOLOGIES
Mainstream Technologies delivers a full range of technology services in Arkansas and the surrounding region including managed technology services and consulting, custom software development, and cybersecurity services. We also offer industry-leading data center services in our Little Rock facilities. Established in 1996, Mainstream has earned a reputation for delivering quality, reliable, and professional technology services for public and private-sector customers across the United States.
Jeff Pracht
IT Business Development Manager
(479) 715-8629 Office
(501) 529-0008 Mobile
