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Topic: Tech Industry

Nine warning signs that your technology needs an upgrade

Summary: Yes, upgrading your technology will cost a bundle of money and cause disruptions at work. But if you don't do it your business could have major consequences.

Jack Wallen

By Jack Wallen |

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Yes, upgrading your technology will cost a bundle of money and cause disruptions at work.- but if you don't do it your business could suffer major consequences. Before you fall way behind, take a look at the following tips and think about what needs to be changed - before it's too late.

1. Lost or forgotten passwords
When equipment reaches a certain age, you never know if a factory reset will bring it back to life. So, you should take it very seriously when passwords for security equipment have been forgotten, but you daren't reset to factory defaults because you fear the hardware will no longer function. Of course, the lesson here is never to forget security information. But that issue aside, when passwords are lost, it could be a sign that it's time to start replacing your ancient hardware.

This story originally appeared as 10 warning signs that your IT landscape needs to change on TechRepublic.

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Topic: Tech Industry

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  • Author must be an Apple employee

    An organization favoring standardizing their mobile security platform and not falling for the "BYOD is a good strategy for enterprise" fallacy means their hardware needs updating? Seems to be an error in reasoning that renders the argument logically invalid.
    cwestmark@...
    Reply Vote

  • Windows 98?

    Windows "98"? There's something [i]new[/i]?? Heck, our main database is still DOS-based! Yes, the company that sold the database program discontinued it in 1995. And, no, we're actually using an [i]older[/i] version .... But folks here discovered that if the 4-user license software is installed on each user's machine it doesn't realize that as many as 25 people are accessing the same database at the same time. And, hey, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" Only one Windows database program, from a different company, can read and convert that database file format. But that company didn't make its software 100% compatible, which means some reprogramming would be needed.

    (And, no, [i]none[/i] of this is an exaggeration.)
    Rick_R
    Reply Vote

  • Newfangled DOS...NO WAY!!!

    @Rick_R - you really should be running CP/M
    TheCPUWizard-2011
    Reply Vote

  • I Disagree With Some of the Points

    In many organizations such as government and medical, there are all sorts of laws that must be obeyed. No matter how much adopting new technology will save, you will be more in the hole if you run into HIPAA violations (we pay $1.5 million each) or HIPAA breeches or start exposing credit card information (Red Flags Rules) or social security numbers. These days, you don't just get a slap on the wrist if you have an "accident" caused by the rush to new technology without the proper protocols (security) in place. At work, every time there is a breach it is because someone was trying to be "helpful" or to use something new without thinking and, since we are a government agency, every breach causes great embarassment on the front pages of national newspapers. On the other hand, if you don't plan for new technologies and verifying that they are "safe" you can easily slip deeper and deeper into old technology.

    One thing that isn't mentioned is how to make employees realize that ease of use and convenience can't replace security and that there is considerable financial risk if you don't approach new technology correctly. And sometimes it would cost a lot to replace perfectly working old systems if you have to find a new contractor to replace custom software that was made for them 12 years ago.
    hforman@...
    Reply Vote

  • #7 & #9 won't always apply

    Sorry, but if your corporation's needs (or even their regulatory requirements) don't allow for employees to "telecommute", then #9 doesn't apply to your organization.

    By the same token, if your company doesn't depend on employees being available/on call 24/7, and they only work at a designated work location (i.e. Building X, Floor Y, Cubicle/Office Z), there is no "need" to use a mobile device to access the work email/apps because their corporate-assigned desktop is already providing said access.
    spdragoo@...
    Reply Vote

    • Good grief....

      I think your point is pointless. Anyone in the industries you mention will be thoroughly familiar with the regulator restrictions on them. That's no excuse not to explore and evaluate the possible options within ... or simply ignoring the suggestions as not relevant to their situation.
      online@...
      Reply Vote

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  • upgrade? if it ain't broke don't fix it!

    If what you're using is doing the job then why upgrade? I still have old 8088???s in the closet that will boot! A new OS means a unproductive learning curve, software needs to be upgraded (more learning curve), other device won't work well and will need to be upgraded (more learning curve), hopefully your data will port over and years of information won't be lost! It???s cheaper to build a new PC, partition your hard drive, and install win 98se, or 2000pro with Novel 5 for grandma who???s typing into office 97 then get lost in an endless upgrade cycle! Especially if your biz isn???t using the web. In short upgrading; if it???s not mission critical to on the cutting edge, is a big waste of time and money! Besides, newer games will have a harder time running on a 500k video card showing only 16 colors; which means more time for spreadsheets!
    bobmatch@...
    Reply Vote
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