5 IT architecture ‘Red Flags’ that signal an overhaul

Technology evolves at a breakneck pace. While it’s nice to have the ‘latest and greatest’, smaller companies may be hesitant to upgrade because of the associated costs. Still, if your business is running with IT architecture that was designed years ago and has seen a number of patches and tweaks since, it may be resource effective to fully redesign or replace it.

Below, 5 tips to help you determine whether your business IT environment needs a complete overhaul.

Your systems aren’t interconnected

One standout sign of ineffective systems is the lack of interconnectivity. Start by looking for areas where data is manually replicated across applications. You may not need to perform a full product dump if there are ways to programmatically connect applications. Minimizing manual data replication saves time, reduces mistakes and creates a more efficient workflow.

Your old technology has become a security risk

Using old technology that hasn’t been overhauled to keep up with the latest IT trends is a warning sign in itself and can prevent you from protecting against evolving cybersecurity threats. When the latest technology is implemented, it enhances efficiencies and ensures the smooth operation of the business, which pays off in the long run. Small investments in the IT overhaul provide an excellent return on investment.

You can no longer adapt to change

As business models change, some applications cannot be “upgraded” through refactoring or enhancements. This starts to show in the speed at which business capabilities are rolled out, delays in projects or complexity of business processes. For example, changing to a subscription model requires changes in billing, product, supply chain, etc., none of which were conceived in the original design.

You have amassed technical debt

Outdated technology causes companies to amass technical debt that drags down modernization initiatives, slows development and burdens a business with risk and cost. Warning signs include extensive one-off manual changes, poor documentation and poor integration with other apps or the cloud.

Your existing structure blocks every vision project

An overhaul of your IT environment can be very dangerous—so much rides on things working in ways that are often invisible to practically every member of the IT team. But when every project you envision taking your company to the next level is blocked by the structure of your current IT implementation, you have a strong sign that as dangerous as an overhaul is, it may be your only option.