In this blog entry, I’ll dispel a myth about how long PCs should last and how we can predict when you’ll need to upgrade or replace office PCs…and how making the right decision will result in big dividends for your business.

First, the myth…”By the time I get all my software installed and the machine set up the way I want, it will be time to replace my PC already.”

This statement is a myth because if PC technology is purchased correctly and strategically for your environment and for the specific users that will be on the systems, machines should last several years without needing significant upgrade or replacement. So, how has this myth impacted your business?

The myth only holds true for those that buy the cheapest department store PC or Dell’s cheapest online special. Those machines are engineered for a low price point and are usually not going to hold up well in a business environment. Acquiring sub-performance machines for your business will not only result in a drain on productivity compounded over time, but there will be other financial impacts as well.

It’s also possible to overbuy technology, which is just as costly to the organization. While it’s true that when you buy much more than you need you end up with a fast computer that cost much more than the average PC, you run the risk of the inevitable shift in core technology that occurs every couple years. Part of you’re investment is lost because you are left with a fast computer that still can’t run the latest applications because of technology advances in areas such as processor (CPU) or graphics chipsets (GPU).

The costs of buying incorrectly are quite high, so it’s very important to make the right purchasing decisions at the right time. So, the question you should be asking is, “How do I buy PC technology appropriate to my needs and user environment?”

Centrend has an extensive process for analyzing our customer’s environment which we call our Technology Assessment. While the scope of our technology assessment results in much more than a guideline for purchasing PCs, here a few of the key areas that we look at in the assessment that provide valuable input for making the right PC technology upgrade and replacement decisions:

1. What is the age and type of existing equipment?
2. What maintenance plan has been followed to prolong the serviceability of the machines operating system and components?
3. In what departments and for what specific power users is the best technology required? (Likely strategy is to replace these users computers first and push their machines down the line)
4. What software upgrades of critical systems are anticipated or what new software technology is expected within the planning horizon?

The best advice I can offer is, don’t wait! Take the time now to explore and discover your PC technology situation and have a replacement plan in place so you don’t get blindsided with the sudden requirement to replace a lot of your machines all at once.

Will your organization need to upgrade some or all of your PCs and server or networking technology soon? Do you need help determining when to upgrade and what kind of investment to make? Contact Centrend today for a free consultation and for more information about our Technology Assessment program.