4 Reasons Why You Need to Upgrade Your Network Before the Holiday Season

1. You need time to get rid of the bugs.

No network shift runs completely smoothly. Changing out the hardware ? even if you schedule the bulk of the work for the weekends when no one is around ? inevitably causes delays and inconveniences once Monday starts up. If your company decides the best way to improve network speed is to get rid of the server and shift everything to the cloud to clear up space, everyone else on the team needs ample time to get used to the readjustment. Holidays already have complex problems, dozens of emergencies, and potential system crashes.

2. Increase user familiarity before complex problems start.

If your company is large enough to have an in-house IT team, that can smooth out a lot of the headaches from upgrading your network or changing network providers. However, they will still need training. They’ll also need a gradual release of the training wheels of the new network. It’s easier to train IT employees, especially entry-level employees, on routine problems and solutions before throwing in complicated, season-specific problems. 

The earlier you make the change, the more time they have to start making training manuals and simplified or templatized responses to tickets. 

3. Changing your network has beneficial impacts on your supply chain. 

No matter what industry you’re in, you’re both part of and have a supply chain. This is true even if your company specializes in services. While your network’s slowdown might be an internal problem that hasn’t yet reached customers, speeding up in-house processes still has a direct impact on external success. A faster network allows your company to maintain inventory better, especially in complex integrations that pull from multiple programs at once. Internal problems are also just the beginning: they can quickly spike into site shutdowns during peak buying seasons. Instead of pushing off the warning signs for the new year, solve them before they can impact Q4.

4. Support hours are more expensive during peak times.

Subscription management plans are always the way to go when they’re an option. Paying for preventative maintenance isn’t just cheaper than paying for repairs. It means there’s no (or at least far less) unscheduled downtime. But when you’re making systemic changes, most service providers will charge hourly or daily rates. There may also be flat fees for expedited requests if you call halfway through November for a weekend switch before December. Schedule any potentially expensive projects during off-seasons as much as possible. Not only are you going to avoid peak fees or emergency hour fees, but your technicians will also be less rushed and are more likely to do a high-quality job. Seasonality impacts everyone, so don’t get caught up in the price hikes.

it’s one thing to know that it’s time for a network change. It’s another thing to know how to get started. Contact our team today at White Mountain IT for easy, friendly support.