2 million SMEs running on out of date IT

This is despite small businesses’ employees saying that slow and unreliable computers are the biggest cause of irritation in the office. “Businesses that have invested in good technology may be justified in keeping it for several years,” says Colin Duguid, managing director of BizHelp24, “but it is worrying that so many businesses say they do not need to update their technology at all.” BizHelp24’s survey, conducted last month among 360 SMEs, also finds 25% of small business owners saying they don’t need to update or replace their computers and systems at all, while 12% only update them every three years, and another 12% every four years or more. However, 35% of companies do upgrade or replace their equipment once a year or more because, they say, that’s the way to ensure productive and reliable equipment and people. Says Duguid: “Whilst older computers may still do the job, they can be slow and unreliable; and are more likely to break down, disrupting your business. “Updating or replacing your equipment every couple of years helps to ensure your staff can stay productive, and minimises the risk of you losing your data or needing to pay the cost of repairs.