Increasing AI Speed: Should You Upgrade Legacy Devices?

AI device performance is accelerating fast. Organizations need technology that’s capable of helping them meet evolving business demands while staying protected, proactive and productive.

Many organizations are still relying on outdated COVID-era technology devices to fuel their efforts. These are the machines that have reached the end of their operational and economic life. Most were likely deployed rapidly in 2020 and 2021 when organizations were pressed to provide their workers with any device that would do the job for the time being. There was no long-term strategy for these COVID-era devices from IT departments. Instead, there was an intense scramble to equip employees with technology as quickly as possible so people could work remotely and business could resume without interruption. 

COVID-era devices are getting increasingly more expensive to support. They have higher failure rates and are a big reason why IT teams are bombarded with helpdesk tickets. Legacy computers also tend to have slower storage and memory performance, which can lead to greater downtime and ultimately affect both productivity and the user experience. These downsides of COVID-era devices inflate the total cost of ownership (TCO) and end up being an overall hassle to use and manage.

Productivity. AI devices have reduced device stalls and improve productivity by delivering more robust performance that expedites daily and time-consuming tasks. On-device AI is designed to automate repetitive work to help people save time in their day.

Cost savings and security. When older devices are refreshed there are reduced downstream operating costs in the form of fewer help desk tickets and device failures. There is also a lower TCO over the device lifecycle and decreased chances of security incidents that can occur with outdated technology. Newer devices also have a longer usable life aligned to independent software vendors (ISV) and security roadmaps, reduced cloud consumption for routine AI tasks.

Competitive edge. Companies who are early adopters of AI in general have a competitive advantage in their respective industry. Your organization can gain the institutional knowledge needed in a world where AI moves faster than ever. 

One of the biggest reasons to upgrade to AI technology as soon as possible is to avoid being impacted by the current PC price increase due to the memory supply constraints within the market. The longer your business waits, the bigger the chance you could be impacted negatively by these constraints. 

CDW can help your business retain certainty and avoid interruption by offering programs that lock in current prices and secure device availability. This gives your organization the chance to purchase technology now with the configurations you want, with the ability to deploy it later. Upgrading now can also help reduce the risk of technology costing a significant amount more than it currently does.

CDW has an extensive track record of helping organizations of all sizes and industries modernize and future-proof their business with the right devices. We work closely with you to understand your current needs and future goals, to go from being reactive to proactive through outcome-based planning. We also help your organization understand the unique value that AI could provide for you specifically.

The journey with CDW starts with an assessment of your organization’s current device landscape. Afterwards, CDW builds a plan that fits your budget and specific requirements, such as the size, locations and functions of your workforce. CDW experts then assist with deploying and managing devices with ongoing support available through our lifecycle management solutions and services as well as device-as-a-service options.