How Long Should Your Business Technology Last?

Business technology should last for a certain amount of time before it needs to be replaced. While replacing all your desktops, laptops, monitors, printers, copiers, and phones can seem costly, waiting too long to upgrade can cost even more. Business owners must find a balance between maintaining existing equipment and replacing equipment. If you wait too long, it can begin costing more than a new one.

When it’s time to upgrade your business technology, you can sell or recycle your old equipment with Rocycle while it still has value. Call Rocycle to help you determine the best plan for getting the most value for your equipment.

No matter how well you care for them, eventually most office electronics will become obsolete. Causal factors can include everything from normal wear and tear on delicate parts, to time and technology marching on, and sometimes even planned obsolescence. As a general rule, computers and other electronics tend to become obsolete within 5 years. Still, it’s good to be aware of the different life cycles of all your devices, such as computers, printers and copiers, and phones.

Computers should ideally be replaced every 3-4 years. Microsoft concluded that if you hold onto an old PC computer for more than 4 years, it will end up costing you more than buying two newer PCs.

A good business printer will last around 2-5 years, depending on the model and usage. An old printer that may not be fully functional can cause downtime and frustration. Therefore, it may become a priority to replace it as soon as possible.

You may recall the often-quoted scene in the movie Office Space. Colleagues become upset with the non-functioning printer/copier machine (and many other office-related issues). They end up taking all their anger and frustration out on the device with baseball bats.

This satirical moment is funny because many people can relate to this situation. Older, poor-functioning equipment can impact employee morale and retention. And their loss of productivity and possibly dealing with them quitting can cost a business dearly.

Business phones can be the bloodline for a business. Like any other technological device, they will eventually need to be replaced. How often you should replace a business phone depends on the age of the phone, how often it is used, and the type of phone. Generally speaking, landline phones will last for a very long time. If it is a cordless handset, you’ll need to change the battery every 1-2 years. If it is a mobile phone, check with your contract upgrade cycle. You may find an upgrade cycle of 10-24 months. Otherwise, replace the phones whenever the phone becomes slow or has too much physical damage.

Before making the decision to buy new equipment and sell or recycle your old technology, first weigh the benefits of making a change against the potential costs.

You should also factor in the age of your equipment and updates or upgrades it has already had. Older technology may have been designed to last for a specific amount of time, but that time may have passed. Newer technology may be more durable and last longer, but not as user-friendly or as efficient.

Technology can be a costly investment for businesses of all sizes. So it’s important to make sure that the technology you choose is long-lasting and provides value for your business. Here are some tips to help you extend the life of your business technology:

1. 1. Keep up with updates: Make sure to keep your software and hardware up to date with the latest security patches and features. This will help protect your data and keep you on the cutting edge of technology.
   2. Choose wisely: When you’re choosing technology for your business, make sure it’s appropriate for your needs and fits within your budget. Don’t buy technology that you don’t need just because it’s trendy.
   3. Check for problems including:
      • Physical damage
      • Wear and tear on components
      • Dirt and dust buildup
      • Malware can sneak its way into your systems over time
      • Obsolescence and incompatibility with hardware, or operating systems and other software

Technology is constantly evolving, and businesses must keep up to remain competitive. While it is important to stay current, it is also important to plan to replace outdated technology. Determining how long business technology should last is essential for making wise purchasing decisions and avoiding costly repairs and replacements down the road.

While it may be possible to squeeze a little more life out of your old desktops and laptops, it may slow down your team. Instead, wouldn’t you want your team to be up to date with the latest tech and maximize their productivity? And it gets better! If you invest in new equipment early enough, it can be subsidized by the money you get back from selling your old electronics to Rocycle. CALL US!