The Lifecycle of Equipment and Data Integrity

Technology is critical for modern businesses in every single industry. We now use computers and other technology tools to do essential work, manage operations, and serve customers.

Still, every piece of equipment has a limit. There comes a time when the computers, printers, and more will hit their “end of life” date. The end-of-life (EOL) date is when the manufacturers no longer support the product (hardware or software).

Of course, replacing this equipment can be expensive. For this reason, many smaller businesses attempt to continue using the equipment after it’s passed its EOL date. While this may seem cost-effective, it puts your business at risk.

Let’s take a closer look at IT lifecycle management and its importance.

What is IT Lifecycle Management?

Every IT system has a lifecycle, as it will reach the EOL date eventually. Lifecycle management is the process of creating a system to manage each stage of an IT system.

This process aims to create a system to use for all devices that allows you to track and automate the lifecycle.

For example, some of the top aspects of lifecycle management include:

• Creating a complete inventory list including relevant details of all IT equipment (serial numbers, manufacturers, operating systems, etc).
• Planning replacement schedules based on industry best practices and EOL dates.
• Preparing for upcoming years based on your budget and priorities.
• Design a roadmap for the future that includes proper e-waste recycling/management and data destruction.
• Outline and deploy automation for handling these systems.

The Importance of Lifecycle Management for Data Integrity

IT lifecycle management is a key business operation that you must implement. While it may seem convenient or cost-effective to hang on to equipment after its EOL date, this is not the best practice.

Lifecycle management is crucial for avoiding the many issues that older software and hardware present. It’s all about creating an effective strategy for replacing the equipment in a timely manner.

The Risks of Software and Hardware After the EOL Date

Here are some of the top reasons why it is risky to hold onto software/hardware after the EOL date:

• Security Vulnerabilities: Aging systems do not have the latest security features as the newer ones. Eventually, they will no longer receive security updates from the manufacturer, which only increases the vulnerability. Typically, older hardware is not able to support newer security software either.
• Performance Hindrance: Software updates take up space on the systems and thus can impact the equipment’s performance over time. Older machines begin to take longer to boot up and operate daily tasks. This can impact the productivity and performance of your team.
• Greater IT Support Expenses: Over time, devices require increasingly more maintenance to work as expected. Aging devices typically experience more performance issues and require more support to manage, which leads to higher IT support expenses.
• Downtime: The risk of unexpected failures also skyrockets, which can ultimately lead to downtime. Downtime is stressful, frustrating, and costly for businesses.

Using a lifecycle management system allows you to balance your budget with your organization’s needs rather than reactively responding when technology breaks. Ultimately, it allows you to experience increased security, more productivity, less downtime, and lower IT support costs. Over time, this will be the most cost-effective solution.

To successfully implement lifecycle management, you must understand your equipment and its unique lifecycle considerations. You must also consider disposal to ensure that any old equipment is safely and sustainably disposed of.

Get Help with Lifecycle Services

Lifecycle management will help you avoid surprise expenses and optimize your efficiencies. In the end, it helps your business gets more done with less stress.

However, implementing lifecycle management can be a challenge. Your business has many different devices in its IT ecosystem. Keeping track of everything and designing the most effective solution is a significant challenge for many organizations.

That’s why working with a trusted partner is so beneficial. Teksetra is here to help with your IT needs, including lifecycle management. We will handle every step of the process, including:

• Proactive Lifecycle Replacement Plans (LCR)
• Procurement to replace existing devices
• Imaging + Configuration
• 3PL + Fulfillment
• Commissioning
• Decommissioning
• E-waste Management

For a dedicated partner you can count on, choose Teksetra. We bring decades of technology expertise to the table and are here to help your business maximize the life of your IT equipment while simultaneously reducing the cost of repairs and replacement. Learn more about how our team can help you with IT lifecycle management today by contacting our experts.