7 Reasons You Should Upgrade Your Enterprise Devices Now!

2. 3G Networks are shutting down next year.

Starting in early 2022, mobile carriers will be phasing out 3G service to make room for more advanced network services, including 5G. As a result, many older mobile devices will be unable to make or receive calls and texts or use data services. This will affect 3G and some older non-LTE 4G mobile devices, which may have to be replaced to ensure you stay connected.

The following major carriers have announced dates for shutting down their 3G networks. Keep in mind this is when they will complete the shutdowns and some may retire parts of their networks sooner.

• AT&T: February 2022.
• Verizon: December 31, 2022.
• Sprint 3G: January 1, 2022
  Sprint’s LTE: June 30, 2022.
• T-Mobile: Shut down is planned, date is to be announced.

3. Aging devices are costing you time and money.

Poorly operating devices run slower, leaving workers waiting extra time while devices boot up and applications load or process. Even worse, when devices freeze or fail, they need to be restarted and work may be lost. In addition, older devices require more maintenance and repairs, and the costs can add up.

It also takes longer to train new workers on older clunkier devices versus their modern equivalents which have user-friendly interfaces similar to the consumer-grade devices they’re already familiar with. Training them to use outdated systems is time-consuming and fraught with errors. All this time adds up, and time is money.

4. Frustration with devices can lead to employee burn-out.

When outdated equipment makes it impossible to work as well or efficiently as they’d like, employees can become increasingly dissatisfied with their job. Younger staff will be particularly frustrated with older systems – they will have no idea how to use them. If workers become so discouraged that they leave, you could lose valuable business knowledge – and it’s not great PR for your company either, if they tell others why they left.

5. Upgrading technology means better data security.

Because outdated devices are not actively updated and security-checked, businesses using them are more vulnerable to having information stolen or compromised. Newer technology has better security procedures in place, and these newer devices will receive on-going updates where security functions are added and problems are corrected.

6. You’re missing out on innovations and added capabilities.

Expanded features and capabilities of new devices, as well as new operating systems and software applications which may be incompatible with older equipment, can be used to provide enhancements to your business. This means businesses using older technology won’t have the functionality that could give them a competitive advantage. An advantage your competitors could take advantage of by upgrading first!

7. The waiting game can be costly.

Many businesses put off replacing aging equipment as long as it still operates. They figure, “why fix what isn’t broken?” What they don’t recognize is how much drag these outdated devices create in their workflows, and that waiting until they’re forced to upgrade can mean additional difficulties. If you don’t upgrade until there’s an issue, you can experience device downtime or errors that result in lost revenue. With 3G networks and Windows CE deadlines, suppliers could see last minute waves of orders. If you hold off too long, you may find the devices you need are backordered or out-of-stock with long waiting lists.  

In conclusion, upgrades present certain challenges, but they are a fact of life for most businesses. The key is to view them as opportunities to invest in the future of your company. The benefits far outweigh the initial price tags and effort involved in adoption of new technologies.