When you own or operate a business, you’re constantly assessing how to best adapt to changing conditions. What needs investment now, and what can wait? As we inch closer to year-end, it’s time to figure out what still needs to be done. One of potential change to consider is an upgrade to your network infrastructure.
When you look at making updates or adjustments to your business, you’re probably doing so in an effort to bring in a greater profit than the previous year. While updating your software or hardware might not provide an obvious benefit to your sales goals, it can help save your business quite a bit of money in the long run. It can even boost your sales and overall productivity when the right updates are put in place.
Here are four major benefits that come with updating your network infrastructure.
Faster Internet Connection
Technological advancements are made every day and failing to keep up with them can hinder your business operations. You can see this clearly with Internet connectivity. If your Internet speeds are slow, your employees will work at a slower pace. Client-facing applications will also lag and can be detrimental to your customers’ satisfaction with your business. Investing in a new network will allow you connect to faster Internet speeds, allowing you and your employees to work quickly with fewer interruptions, which improves productivity and help more clients efficiently.
Better Network Security
We talk about the importance of cyber security a lot, and it’s because one successful cyberattack could bring irreparable harm to any business, regardless of reputation or size. Cyberthreats are more complicated than ever before, and cybercriminals can easily navigate old and outdated networks. Newer networks are built with more defenses to thwart would-be hackers. Even if you’ve recently upgraded your network, you need to continually update your software. New patches are regularly released to help plug the holes cybercriminals are exploiting.
More Compatibility
An upgraded network is a solid foundation that gives you more options. Countless applications can benefit your business and give you a step ahead of your competitors, but your network needs to be as strong as possible to get the most out of them.
Less Time Maintaining Your Network
If you upgrade your network on old infrastructure, you will put more strain on your system, and your IT person or company will have to step in to help out. Investing in modern infrastructure smooths out many road bumps in your business, giving your employees — including your IT specialists — more time to be productive.
As your business grows, your network needs to grow with it. Of course, if you’re experiencing issues with your current network, that’s one clear sign an upgrade is needed. And if you work in an industry that deals with sensitive client information, like a law firm, you may be legally required to keep your network as up to date as possible.
Upgrading and updating your network comes with many benefits and few drawbacks. If it’s been a while since you last made some changes, it’s likely time to reevaluate your needs.