Old PCs can be costlier for SMBs–study

MAKATI CITY, Philippines—Organizations that use computers older than three years are spending more on maintenance than those that have invested on new machines, a recent study showed.

Citing research firm Techaisle.com’s study, Intel Corp. General Manager for Business Client Group Robert Crooke said small and medium enterprises are now using three-year-old computers that are more prone to computer malware.

Crooke also warned that companies using older computers are at risk of experiencing system failures and may end up spending at least $700 per year for each computer.

For computers less than three years old, system failures happen less often. Also, the cost of buying a new PC is less than the maintenance cost of $700 for machines older than three years, the study showed.

Crooke said companies are now aiming to reduce total cost of ownership for newer machines. At the same time, they want to extend the lifespan of old equipment.

“The significance of this is that companies are looking at information technology to keep them afloat during the economic crisis. But by keeping older machines running, they are reducing productivity due to constant hardware failures and maintenance,” Crooke said.

Incidentally, the recent Asian Business Monitor report by logistics firm UPS revealed that more than half of the 1,200 companies surveyed across Asia are looking at information technology investments to help them survive the economic crisis.

The ABM report noted that Asian SMBs want to maximize usage of IT but also keeping costs down.–Alexander Villafania, INQUIRER.net