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Expert Answers to Biz Questions
Listen in! Pick up some expert advice to a reader's question that we selected from CyberSchmooz.
How Businesses Can Make the Most of Their Electronics Investments
Any office or business with a focus on serving the public understands the massive role that technology plays in day-to-day operations. Fundamentally, businesses that fail to utilize technology in every aspect possible generally do not manage to compete for very long. From basic word processing and office productivity solutions for offices to niche industrial equipment for manufacturers, the presence of technology is ubiquitous throughout successful businesses.
Yet, many businesses have the wrong approach with respect to extracting maximum value from their tech and avoiding unnecessary expenditures. As such, let's examine how businesses can prolong the efficiency, livelihood and performance of their electronics investments.
Upgrade Rather Than Replace
All too often, businesses choose to completely replace various electronics and devices in the workspace. While this is an inevitable requirement as technology continues to advance, it is often overused by larger companies with fatter wallets than most.
One such example is office computers and peripherals. Some major companies completely replace employees’ workstations every 1-2 years, which is absolutely unnecessary. For companies who require optimum performance, upgrading various computer components such as CPUs, GPUs and storage can provide that needed boost in performance at a fraction of the price.
Proactively Repair Equipment
Many electronics can break down without warning, necessitating a complete replacement of the equipment. However, many items can be repaired when the problem is identified early, and the benefits of repairing can exponentially affect productivity for the business at-large.
Take a computer harddrive as one example: an employee may notice that their harddrive clicking or otherwise making noises. Rather than waiting for it to malfunction completely, consider transferring data when you hear harddrive clicking immediately so that any malfunction will not result in a loss of data. The harddrive itself may be repairable, but just in case it isn't, the data (and all the productivity that comes with it) is guaranteed and easily transferred to a replacement.
Adopt Open Source Solutions
While hardware is most commonly considered when making business investments in electronics, software is just as important. Particularly in office environments, businesses can spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars per machine for high-end and industry-specific software solutions. While it is very common for larger businesses to adopt standard software solutions, an increasing number are turning to open source alternatives.
Available for everything from computer aided design to word processing, open source solutions provide free or low-cost alternatives for the most commonly used programs and apps in the business world. Before committing to a lengthy contract or costly software purchase, businesses should first evaluate whether an open source alternative can suit their needs. Over time, the cost differences can add up substantially.
Improving profit margins, maintaining efficiency and keeping a leg up on the competition through technology all remain lofty goals for businesses. When using electronics, it's vital that businesses adopt an affordable and effective strategy regarding their usage. Ultimately, replacing parts rather than entire machines, opting for open source alternatives and repairing electronics can help businesses of all sizes avoid costly setbacks, losses in efficiency and unforeseen complications in day-to-day work settings.
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