Upgrading your IT - step-by-step guidance

If you bought your computer system back in the days when mobile phones were as big as bricks, chances are you already know you need an upgrade.

But if you’re starting to question whether your current system is performing as well as it can to keep up with the demands of your growing business, then now is the time to consider moving up a gear.

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Is your IT really adding value to your business?

You also already know that serving your clients as well as you can comes top of any ‘to do’ list for any given day. If you can say honestly that your IT is holding you back, then you really shouldn’t wait any longer. How much time are you spending rebooting, swearing at hold-ups or facing the music over a slow-working computer?

You do, of course, need to factor in the cost of bringing in new systems - not just the cost of the hardware and/or software, but also the time it could take to train staff in using your super new kit. However, if you choose the right IT setup, and get an expert to help if necessary, you can minimise disruption and end up with the IT you need to move your business forward.

Jonathan Hill of Birmingham-based Icomm Technologies advises: “The time to make the decision to upgrade computer systems should be to keep ahead of the competition and on top of the game a company is in, but this is rarely the actual main factor in the upgrade decision. Usually the decision in due to necessity or a new requirement or issue which cannot be met or solved without improvements to IT infrastructure.”

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The next steps:

Jonathan’s step-by-step guidance for an easy IT upgrade makes sure all eventualities are covered:

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How can businesses check for software compatibility?

Jonathan says: “There’s no simple software compatibility check to cover every eventuality, but the core Microsoft applications are easy enough to check online. The quickest way is to determine across each application which version and patch everyone is running, then confirm with the manufacturer of the software what is compatible- and if not what needs to be done.”

The Windows Restore Point can also be useful during an upgrade, when other efforts have failed to bring a machine back into action after a failure. Set a Restore Point on your PC before installing any new software. If old or incompatible software causes a system crash, Windows Restore functions like a ball of yarn, allowing you to retrace your steps and return to the system settings you had before the installation.

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Get help if you need it

Upgrading software can be complicated. Unlike any other piece of technology, a computer has to support functions designed by literally millions of manufacturers, and occasionally it’s going to go wrong. If getting to grips with specific issues, problems or technology isn’t for you, then you will need to find an IT expert to help. You can rely on reputable individuals and companies found through personal recommendation, professional groups such as the UK Association (www.ukita.co.uk) or Microsoft partners.

Clive Marchant, director of Midlands-based Colin Lee Opticians (www.colinlee-opticians.co.uk) says his company has always updated its IT systems after three to four years. He says: “The transfer of data can cause the biggest headaches, so we always call on expert help. If the paperwork is left to mount up, that can be very stressful.

"We have 28 computers divided between seven practices and five computers in our head office. We have outsourced the maintenance of the systems to trusted suppliers - I’ve known our software support people for nearly 20 years and you have to go with personal recommendation to make sure you are getting the right advice.

"We’ve always phased in upgrades, to make the process as hassle-free as possible - replacing computers at each site and then moving on to the next."

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