5 Old Business Technologies That Should Get The Boot

Business technology is constantly evolving. As new technologies come in, old technologies get pushed out. We have many examples of business technology becoming obsolete. Such example is the typewriters and floppy discs. Below are a few other pieces of technology that it may be time to get rid of within your business.

Fax machines

A surprising number of businesses are still clinging to fax machines. The fax machine does have benefits, of the best secure ways of sending documents as it cannot be hacked, making it popular in industries such as healthcare and law, where sensitive information often has to be shared in paper form. However, for many regular businesses, there’s little need to have a fax machine as it’s often quicker and more convenient to send information via email.

Landline Phones

Do you need a landline for your business phone system? No. Many businesses are now starting to adopt VoIP phone systems that use an internet connection – this allows you to answer phone calls on an array of devices from any location while also having more ability to trace and analyze calls. Landlines can only be used from one spot and do not have as many features as VoIP phone systems. That said, landlines are more reliable connections (you don’t have to worry about shaky wi-fi) and are easier to set up, so some businesses may still be using them.

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Local Servers

Local servers can have security advantages for some companies that want to keep all their data on-site. That said, most businesses have long migrated to cloud servers. Storing all your data on the cloud has many advantages – employees can access data from any location, plus your data is protected if your office is affected by a fire, natural disaster or burglary. For this reason, some businesses may find it beneficial to move from a local server to a cloud server.

Non-Cloud-Base Software

Are you still using software that stores data directly to your computer hard drive? Nowadays, pretty much all software that is released is cloud-based. The only types of software not supported by the cloud are legacy programs over ten years old. Cloud-based applications are generally more powerful and can back up all your information. Consider whether it’s worth getting rid of that old software and migrating to newer software (particularly if your old software has lost support from the vendor – if it’s no longer receiving updates, it could be a security risk).

Desktop Computers

Many businesses prefer desktop computers over laptops because they’re generally more powerful and longer-lasting. That said, companies are starting to switch to laptops as they are more portable, allowing employees more flexibility to work from different locations. Modern laptops also have enough processing power to compete with desktops (Well, almost!). On top of this, laptops are generally cheaper than desktops, possibly helping your business to save money. If you want to take advantage of flexible working and save money, consider switching to laptops.