Brief: Redundant, outdated IT systems don’t just slow down your business—they’re a liability in an increasingly digital and hostile environment. Learn how modernisation IT Infrastructure improves agility, strengthens security, and aligns with business growth goals.
“If you think good design is expensive, you should look at the cost of bad design,” said Dr. Ralf Speth.
The same holds true for IT infrastructure.
Outdated Systems: The Hidden Cost of Redundancy
Legacy IT systems often hide in plain sight.
While they may appear to “get the job done,” their limitations impose hidden costs that grow with time. This is especially critical for devices used in remote or hybrid work environments. Outdated laptops, desktops, and peripherals can significantly hinder employee productivity, introduce security risks, and fail to support modern collaboration tools essential for distributed teams. Relying on large providers aiming to be “all things” often exacerbates these issues, as fragmented systems and outdated solutions fail to deliver the agility and security businesses need. Redundant systems lead to inefficiencies, increased downtime, and higher maintenance expenses. Worse, they create vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit, putting your organisation at risk.
Consider Microsoft’s recent announcement: support for Exchange Server 2016 and 2019 will end in October 2025. Organisations relying on these outdated platforms must either migrate to modern solutions or risk exposure to unpatched vulnerabilities. This situation underscores a harsh reality: clinging to outdated software is no longer viable.
According to recent studies, businesses that maintain legacy systems spend 60% of their IT budgets on maintenance rather than innovation. Organisations dependent on bundled services from telecom giants often fall into this trap, as these providers prioritise standardised solutions over tailored, forward-looking IT strategies. This focus on “keeping the lights on” limits your ability to compete in a fast-moving market. With F12 Infinite, modernisation isn’t just a cost—it’s a transformation that integrates cutting-edge solutions, proactive upgrades, and seamless management, empowering your business to achieve resilience and sustainable growth.
Outdated devices, especially those used by remote and hybrid workers, exacerbate these risks. Employees equipped with older technology often face performance lags, compatibility issues, and heightened security vulnerabilities. Studies reveal that 60% of remote workers using outdated devices experience regular disruptions, leading to decreased productivity and increased frustration. These challenges underline the importance of proactive device management and infrastructure modernisation through solutions like F12 Infinite.
Why Modernisation Matters
Modernising IT infrastructure offers more than just faster performance.
It aligns technology with business objectives, ensuring that your systems support, rather than hinder, your goals. F12 Infinite takes this further by eliminating the complexity of IT refresh cycles, delivering a fully managed, always-modern environment that ensures IT infrastructure becomes an enabler of growth rather than a liability. In contrast, providers focused on bundling generic solutions often fail to meet the unique needs of businesses, leading to inefficiencies and missed opportunities for growth.
Key benefits of modernisation include:
- Improved Agility: Modern systems are more adaptable, enabling faster responses to market changes and customer needs. This is particularly vital for supporting remote and hybrid workforces that require seamless access to enterprise systems from any location.
- Enhanced Security: Outdated systems lack critical updates, leaving organisations vulnerable. Modern platforms come with built-in security features, such as multi-factor authentication and encryption.
- Cost Optimisation: By reducing maintenance and downtime costs, modern infrastructure frees up resources for strategic initiatives.
- Scalability: Modern solutions, such as cloud platforms, allow businesses to scale operations without significant upfront investments.
- Compliance Readiness: Keeping your systems up to date ensures alignment with regulations, avoiding penalties and reputational damage.
According to Forrester, businesses that modernise their IT infrastructure report a 30% reduction in maintenance costs and a 25% increase in operational efficiency. These measurable benefits demonstrate how strategic upgrades directly impact a company’s bottom line.
The Risks of Staying Behind
The most pressing risks of clinging to legacy systems include:
- Operational Inefficiency: Legacy systems often struggle to integrate with modern software, creating bottlenecks that reduce productivity.
- Security Gaps: Outdated software is a prime target for cyberattacks. In fact, 70% of ransomware attacks target known vulnerabilities in legacy systems.
- Missed Opportunities: Modern IT tools offer advanced analytics, AI-driven insights, and automation capabilities that legacy systems simply cannot match.
With Microsoft’s end-of-support deadlines approaching, organisations that fail to act risk facing operational disruptions, increased security threats, and compliance challenges. Businesses relying on outdated devices for remote workers are especially vulnerable, as these systems often lack the capacity to handle modern security protocols or collaboration platforms effectively. F12 Infinite offers a clear pathway to modernise seamlessly, ensuring that these transitions happen proactively with no disruption to operations. This is especially true for those reliant on providers offering slow or reactive support, which often delays the necessary transitions to modern solutions.
Recent reports from Cybersecurity Ventures indicate that organisations relying on outdated systems are three times more likely to experience a data breach, costing an average of $4.35 million per incident. This statistic alone emphasises the urgency of replacing outdated infrastructure.
A Roadmap to Modernisation
Modernising IT infrastructure may seem daunting, but a structured approach can make the process manageable:
- Conduct a Comprehensive Audit: Assess your current infrastructure to identify outdated hardware, software, and processes.
- Prioritise Security: Start by addressing systems with the most significant security risks. Consider adopting Zero Trust principles and MDR solutions.
- Evaluate Cloud Migration Options: Determine which workloads can transition to cloud platforms to enhance scalability and reduce costs.
- Adopt Flexible Licensing Models: Modern platforms like Microsoft 365 provide subscription-based pricing, ensuring access to the latest features without large upfront costs.
- Engage Experts: Partner with managed service providers to streamline the modernisation process and gain access to specialised expertise.
Microsoft’s Total Economic Impact report highlights that businesses transitioning to Microsoft 365 experience a 30% improvement in productivity and 40% faster collaboration, making it a key step in modernising IT infrastructure.
The Microsoft Exchange Example: A Call to Action
Microsoft’s decision to end support for Exchange Server 2016 and 2019 highlights the urgency for organisations relying on outdated software to modernise their IT infrastructure. Without support, these systems will no longer receive critical updates or security patches, leaving businesses exposed to threats. Migrating to Microsoft 365 or other modern solutions not only mitigates these risks but also introduces a suite of collaboration and productivity tools that enhance business operations.
For example, organisations that transitioned from legacy email servers to Microsoft 365 reported a 30% improvement in productivity and a significant reduction in email-related downtime. These gains highlight the tangible benefits of proactive modernisation.
Building a Resilient IT Future
Modernising IT infrastructure is no longer optional—it’s essential for organisations aiming to remain competitive, secure, and agile in 2025 and beyond. F12 Infinite’s unique model of always-modern IT ensures that your organisation is never held back by outdated systems or missed opportunities, creating a foundation for continuous growth and innovation. Companies should prioritise specialised IT solutions that align with their unique needs over providers attempting to deliver a ‘one-size-fits-all’ service, ensuring a tailored approach to resilience and growth. By embracing new technologies and moving away from legacy systems, businesses can position themselves for sustained growth.
Book Your Free IT Infrastructure Assessment: Ready to modernise your IT? Schedule a free assessment with F12’s experts and start building a more resilient, secure future for your organisation.
Citations:
- 2023 Cost of Data Breach Report, IBM Security
- End of Support for Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, Microsoft
- Device-as-a-Service Market Report, Fortune Business Insights
- The Total Economic Impact of Microsoft 365, Forrester
- HP Managed Services Insights, HP
- Ransomware Threat Report, Cybersecurity Ventures
