Having business software is essential in any workplace. These might be Adobe products, Microsoft Office, antivirus programs, and special programs. One of the largest things that people notice when they go into a place of business is that businesses thrive by using outdated software. These are the products that your business relies on to thrive. These may include but are not limited to payroll software and more.
But why? We’re going to get down to the bottom of this and tell you how you can improve your business. We’ll also tell you the good and the bad about updating your business’s outdated software. Updating goes far beyond the scope of needing to teach your employees how to use “new things.” Updated software is essential for business security!
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Why Don’t Businesses Update Outdated Software?
Older software is cheap. No, seriously, it’s dirt cheap. You can buy a digital copy and OEM key for products like Microsoft Office 2016 for less than $100 per user. That is a great deal when you consider the savings. Older Adobe products can be bought for exceptional discounts as well. Adobe Photoshop Elements 2019 is less than $100 on sites like Amazon.
Outdated software is cheap, and most people think that if it isn’t broke, why fix it?
Another reason why many companies don’t update their outdated software is due to user-friendliness. Many businesses believe that they’re going to have to teach their users how to use the new software due to changes that have been made. While this is somewhat true, anyone who’s mastered a previous version of the software can tinker around and discover how to use the new features that are available in newer software versions.
The other main reason is due to compatibility issues. If you’ve ever gone to most businesses, many of them are still using outdated Windows or Mac operating systems and computers. Most computers for business include just the essentials. Having to get new computer systems is a hassle, right? Simultaneously, having to apply constant updates to newer operating systems and programs can be painstaking. They also may have bugs in them (as mentioned in our previous post here).
Pros and Cons of Updating Outdated Business Software
There are both positives and negatives to updating your company’s outdated software. And just as with business, there are some reasonable cons to think about, but they often don’t outweigh all of the positives.
Updating Pros:
- Newer software and their updates offer more security and fixes of insecurities.
- Updating software allows the company to do more.
- The updated software offers more capabilities.
- It lowers software costs in the long run due to improved efficiency.
- Most employees already know the newer software. Those who don’t can learn.
- Newer software can improve the quality of work.
Updating outdated software boosts productivity, morale and encourages teamwork!
Cons of Updating:
- Newer software is often riddled with bugs.
- Some companies don’t care about current software if it gets the job done right.
- Newer software may require additional training, which may hinder productivity.
- While you may save in the long run, newer software is more expensive.
- Since employees may need training, they may not want to switch from what they know.
New software may be riddled with bugs, but that shouldn’t be a deterrent.
So What’s the Verdict?
While having old and outdated software and systems may be more susceptible to an extent, no business should ever sacrifice their security and their stability for the sake of higher numbers. While it may seem beneficial for companies to keep and hold onto outdated software, many of these computers, operating systems, and outdated programs have millions of exploits that can even prove to be financially dangerous for a business.
Therefore, having a company that can provide IT Support to keep your data and applications up to date is essential for a business to thrive. It’s not just a new decade, but also a new era!