Business owners don’t particularly love spending on office tech and equipment. Spending is not high on the list of our priorities right now, whether it’s for personal or business use. However, if the outdated technology is already costing us sales and customers, it’s time to take a look at what needs an upgrade. If the alternative to saving expenses is losing customers, then that’s not a good deal, right?
Whether you’re a small or big business, every component of your company must work to provide great customer service. The tools you have in your office must complement the tasks assigned to your workers. Not only are the right tools going to make workers more productive, but these can also open doors for your business. They will allow you to reach audiences you never thought of before. You will also impress markets that would have otherwise ignored you.
But what if you cannot afford to upgrade the tech right now? Is it still high time for it? Shouldn’t you wait it out? Unfortunately, every time you disappoint customers because you got the orders mixed up due to a faulty inventory system, your business loses ground. You lose an opportunity to sell your business to those customers and maybe even their network.
You can look at the small business loans that the government is extending to a lot of small entrepreneurs. These loans aim to boost the local economy. Seeing as small businesses are the backbone of the economy, it is important for the government that they receive the right support. So, if your business badly needs a tech upgrade, a loan might be the best solution for your predicament.
Too Much Downtime
A computer malfunctioning once a year is normal. But one that malfunctions at least five times a day is a cause of concern. When the problem is affecting the business process and the workers’ productivity, it’s time to look for an upgrade. The equipment in your office may be dragging you down. As a result, you lose plenty of opportunities to connect with your market. The frustration of having a faulty printer will inconvenience and demotivate your employees.
Repair Costs Are Increasing
Businesses don’t always upgrade office tech and equipment because of the costs. However, if the printers, copiers, and computers are costing too much to repair, you might save more money by buying a new computer. Repairing old equipment will only increase your overhead in time.
For example, buying a new printer for $500 sounds expensive. But if you think about it, this new printer can replace two of the printers in your office that always need repair. Toner cartridges of old printers are also more expensive compared to simply refilling the ink cartridges. Recent devices also have better features, such as Bluetooth connectivity and paper-saving functions.
Hackers Getting into Your System
Is your system under frequent attack by hackers and cybercriminals? You may want to reevaluate the security measures you have. Some of them may be a bit outdated already. Talk with your information technology personnel. There are new software programs that prevent a host of security breaches and cybercrimes. Make sure to invest in an anti-virus software that is compatible with your system. This is one of those upgrades that you cannot ignore.
The Company Is Expanding
Perhaps, there is no more telling sign that you need to upgrade your office tech and systems than when you decide to expand your business operations. If you are taking orders from outside the state or the country, then you are in for a treat. Your clanky old barcode scanner will not be able to handle your inventory anymore. You need to upgrade that. Your laptops, printers, copiers, and other devices need a boost, too.
High Energy Bills
Older devices consume more power, which then leads to higher energy bills. At a time when businesses are trying to cut their expenses, this isn’t something that they want to see. You can remedy this problem by upgrading the technology. Newer office equipment has energy-saving features that can cut your energy bill in half. The latest versions even have features that can double your employees’ productivity.
Although businesses are trying to cut their expenses right now, that is no reason for them not to upgrade office tech and equipment when it’s needed. It is far worse to provide substandard services and products because you cannot keep up with technology. So, although you would have saved money on upgrading office tech, you can lose loyal customers because they weren’t happy with your service.
