System upgrades are critical to business performance. A system upgrade typically involves adding new hardware or updating software to increase the functionality of a system. However, system upgrades also have many less-known benefits such as an increase in the lifespan and better efficiency of computer equipment. System upgrades are an important part of our managed IT services London companies can rely on.
Here are five other reasons why you should bother upgrading your systems:
- Increased employee productivity
- Business growth
- Better IT support
- Improved system security
- Extended warranty
What to keep in mind when considering system upgrades
Before investing in system upgrades, it’s critical to understand what’s possible when you implement it. Hardware upgrades can’t transform your slow computer into a super-efficient one, or convert black-and-white printers into laser colour printers. Similarly, software updates may have adverse effects if your hardware can’t adequately support the latest versions.
Effective systems upgrades involve making coordinated and consistent improvements. Hardware upgrades involve changes like swapping your hard drive for a Solid State Drive to boost performance or upgrading your RAM to improve running efficiency of your system. You could also swap your existing battery for one with a higher capacity to ensure the ability to work on the go.
If your budget for electronics and computer equipment is low, you could consider buying more memory to improve performance until you can afford new equipment. You could also invest in better software to boost performance internally.
Different hardware updates that are worth investing in
If you’re a small business that has a limited budget for computer equipment, you have to carefully consider what to invest in, so you get a return on your investment. According to recent research by Greenpeace, the lifespan of computer equipment has reduced to a disappointing two years. Systems tend to slow down as new, memory-intensive software enter the market and remnants of old files start to accumulate. If you don’t replace your system or get a system upgrade, you could suffer due to less-responsive systems. Here are five hardware updates that can help you evade system hangups:
- RAM – You can update to 4GB or 8GB ram in under $50.
- Hard drive – You can switch a traditional hard drive for a solid-state drive for better performance.
- Video card – If you’re a gamer or animation artist, you may want to invest in purchasing a video card or graphics card for improved visuals.
- Processor – You could also replace your Central Processing Unit and opt for one with a more advanced processor.
- Monitor – You could either replace your monitor for one with a better and bigger display or add monitors to your existing one for easy multitasking.
How software upgrades differ from software updates
Software updates or upgrades are successful only when your systems are compatible with them. A software update is also referred to as a software patch and is a free downloadable app that fixes shortcomings in the existing version of your software. Software updates are typically created to address security issues or small bugs that exist within a system. The most common type of software update is one that protects your operating system from weaknesses that hackers or viruses are exploiting.
A software upgrade is a completely new version of a software that includes significant changes that can enhance your current version. Sometimes, you need to buy the new version of a software upgrade to access it. Other times, software companies offer new versions to users of old software versions for free. Typically when the latter occurs, you have to be registered with the software company to access the upgrade. That’s why it’s important for you to ensure that all systems on which you have software installed are registered with the software company.
Managing your system updates yourself can be a hassle. You would have to be updated with the latest available options to be able to make the right choices. Instead, you could outsource software upgrades and management to IT support London companies such as totality services.