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Six Reasons Not to Perform a Software Upgrade

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When should I upgrade my software? What do you do when the notice comes to update?

Some blindly click “OK.” Others ignore update messages for months on end. Some now-wary computer users have horror stories about how their digital lives came to a screeching halt for several days due to glitches associated with a software upgrade.

Whether it’s an update to your smartphone’s operating system or Microsoft’s enticement for a free copy of Windows 10, our world is full of opportunities to upgrade to the latest version of everything. Our instinct may be to immediately upgrade, following the logic: “Of course I want the latest and greatest! Think of all the ‘new and improved’ features I’ll be able to take advantage of!”

But wait just a moment. There are good reasons to exercise a little caution.

Here are six to make you think twice before hitting “OK”:

  1. You haven’t recently backed up your data, email, contacts, photos, videos, etc., to an external source – doing so enables recovery if the upgrade goes horribly wrong.
  2. Your hardware doesn’t have the capacity to effectively run the updated software. If you’re running older computers, upgrading to new software may consume more memory and disk space or overly tax the CPU, potentially bringing your machines to a screeching halt and resulting in unplanned hardware purchases.
  3. The user interface of the new software is so foreign compared to the existing version, productivity is negatively impacted while you learn its idiosyncrasies.
  4. All bugs aren’t fully ironed out of the new software. Unless your business absolutely requires a particular feature the new software offers, let other users “stub their toe” on corner-case problems. Wait a few months to upgrade.
  5. You’ve misplaced the necessary information (software license keys, passwords, etc.), which may be needed during the upgrade process. Locate all required information for the update prior to proceeding.
  6. Updating existing software might result in being unable to access old files, which for business reasons must be left in their original format. Make sure the new software works with older file versions without needing to convert them.

Before hastily updating software to the latest version, consider the impact on other aspects of your business’s technology and work flow. After performing a complete backup, carefully review the software’s requirements before making the decision to move forward. Determine if you will truly benefit from the upgrade.

If you need a second opinion before undertaking a software update, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 314.394.3001. We’d love to help!

Data Security: Just How Secure Will Your Business Be in 2016?

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This question plagues all businesses large and small, and as we roll into a new year, it’s a good time to think through the most up-to-date data security solutions.

Spyware, viruses, malware, ransomware–these are just a few terms that constantly make headlines as hackers continue to find new ways to steal client data.

You may be saying to yourself, “Wait, my data is in the cloud, so I don’t have to worry about security, right?”

The answer is actually found in the responses to the following additional questions, “Are the devices I’m using to access my data secure?” “Are the passwords I’m using complex enough?” and “Is my network as protected as it should be?”

The bottom line is this: while cloud data solutions offer robust security, they do nothing to secure the physical devices you’re using to access the data.

This is why hackers today are putting far more effort into compromising the devices you use on a daily basis. They know that if they can gain control of the device, they have a window into everything else you do.

So if nothing is truly 100% secure, how do you best protect your business? Here are a few actions you can consider right away:

  1. Implement data encryption to add an additional layer of security to your files, regardless of whether they are located locally or in the cloud.
  2. Use a modern, business-grade security solution to protect all of the devices accessing your data. Don’t assume your security software is current and updated; audit it on a frequent basis or contact Anderson Technologies about our security solutions.
  3. Execute a backup strategy covering all of your important data that offers reliable, flexible restoration options regardless of where the data is located. Remember, just because your data is in the cloud doesn’t mean you are 100% covered. In fact, many cloud storage providers state cloud storage is NOT intended to replace a traditional backup solution in the case of disaster recovery.
  4. Know where your data is located. This may sound basic, but so many people save data to multiple locations and lose track of it over time. It’s critical to establish sound policies and habits about where data is saved so it can be found and retrieved easily, as well as audited to confirm it’s actually being backed up successfully.

If you would like help implementing more robust data and systems security for your business, Anderson Technologies is here to help! Having a partner who understands the importance of securing your computer infrastructure and who is as concerned about keeping your business-critical data as safe as you are will give you peace of mind. Whether it’s in the cloud or on your premises, we are dedicated to providing the best security solutions for you.

When Is It Time for a Computer Upgrade?

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Here at Anderson Technologies, we hear this question often. Before we make any specific new equipment recommendations, we conduct a methodical analysis with our clients to review performance of current computer systems and evaluate needs. This assessment allows us to recommend changes and/or upgrades to meet their requirements.

Here are a few things to think about:

Is performance degrading?

If your computer used to be lightning fast and now it seems as though you are always waiting, it may be time to upgrade.

Does your hardware crash often?

If you find yourself frustrated because you’re rebooting several times a day due to system crashes, your computer may be at the end of its useful life.

Can you add additional RAM?

This single step can breathe new life into your computer. While it’s inexpensive and simple to add additional RAM to help an older computer continue to perform, there comes a point when your system’s motherboard may be maxed out, and this is no longer an option.

Have you done all the”tricks” tech people use to prolong the life of a computer?

There are many steps you can take to optimize performance, including defragmenting your hard drive, deleting temporary items, clearing your browser’s cache, and adding RAM. (See our blog post I Need More Speed! to read more about this).

Do you have the right internet connection?

If you migrated to a fast internet connection but your computer is still operating at a crawl, it may be time for a hardware upgrade.

How old are your systems?

It is typical to schedule a computer upgrade every 3-5 years. Power users, however, often update more frequently and are willing to pay a premium to have the “latest and greatest” systems.

What functionality do you need?

Someone using CPU and memory-intensive programs like Adobe Creative Suite or AutoCAD need the fastest processors available and tend to upgrade systems more often.If you use these programs and would like to prolong the life of your computer, delay software upgrades for these types of programs as long as possible.

If you feel it’s time to upgrade your systems, please give us a call at 314.394.3001 or send an email to sales@andersontech.com.

I Need More Speed! Can Managed Services Help?

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We are an impatient nation.

Advances in technology and our fast-paced lives have changed us permanently. When we see the spinning wheel or hourglass icon telling us the computer is busy, we sigh, we growl, we consider smashing the computer against a wall. Who has time to wait more than a few seconds for something to load on the computer?

Before you rush off to spend thousands on newer, faster computers, consider these four things Anderson Technologies Managed Services can do to optimize your current computer’s performance:

 Delete Temporary Internet Files and Clear Your Browser’s Cache

When you visit different sites, pieces of data get written to your computer to optimize performance or track your browsing activity. When you move from site to site, a little trail of data “crumbs” gets left behind, which uses space on your hard drive. Clearing out these temporary files can speed up your computing times.

 Defragment Your Drive

When your computer writes data to its disk, pieces of information that ideally should be grouped together often get separated or “fragmented.” This causes the CPU to take a longer time to find and knit together all the fragments of information needed for a particular task. The older the system, the more dramatically fragmentation impacts the computer’s overall performance. Defragmenting your drive reorders segments to improve computing times.

 Delete Unneeded Files and Applications

The longer we own our computers, the more “stuff” we put on it. The more data you have on your hard drive, the longer it takes for your computer to find what you need to access. Do you really need all those rough drafts of your reports and presentations? What about your unused applications? Delete them if you can! In addition, an Anderson Technologies Managed Tech Services plan can help clients regularly clear out redundant files that get created during the course of normal computer operations.

 Consider Adding RAM

How much memory does your computer currently have? How much could it have? Adding additional memory is one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make to your computer. The process involves specifying, ordering, and installing new RAM sticks to your computer. Please note: Unless properly trained, you should not perform this yourself as there is potential for harmful electrostatic discharge (ESD) that can ruin your computer’s motherboard or other components if not installed properly! Computer professionals use ESD straps to ensure the safety and integrity of your computer throughout this type of upgrade.

If your computers need to last another year and you are frustrated with slow run times, let the experts at Anderson Technologies help. Give us a call at 314.394.3001, and have our Managed Tech Services specialists breathe new life into your systems!