Unveiling the hidden costs of legacy IT 

“What hidden costs lurk in your legacy IT infrastructure?” This critical question often eludes IT teams, either overlooked amidst daily operations or acknowledged but sidelined due to overwhelming responsibilities. Regardless of your current IT landscape, one truth remains undeniable: reliance on legacy systems invariably leads to escalating, often unseen expenses.

To help IT managers grappling with this situation, we’ve compiled insights on legacy IT systems and costs that extend far beyond maintenance. Here are some of the biggest risks associated with legacy IT–and what you can do to prevent them.

Security vulnerabilities

One of the most significant hidden costs of legacy IT is the increased risk of security breaches. Older systems are often not designed to withstand modern cyber threats, making them prime targets for hackers. Patching vulnerabilities in legacy systems can be complex and costly, and in some cases, it might not even be possible. A security breach can result in data loss, legal liabilities, and a damaged reputation—costs that are often immeasurable.

Consider these facts:

• 87% of IT decision-makers say sticking to older IT systems leaves businesses more vulnerable to security threats.
• 70% of data breaches occur in organizations running on IT using legacy systems.

Slow and inefficient systems 

User satisfaction is another important measurement of success in IT. But legacy infrastructure often threatens or weakens customer satisfaction levels. Because the tools are outdated, it takes longer to resolve incidents. Customers are often frustrated by long wait times, and IT teams don’t fare much better as they grapple with setbacks. 

Our research found that organizations employing outdated IT tools experience a 25% lower efficiency rate. In today’s fast-paced world, that’s a considerable–and unnecessary–gamble that can result in lost business.

Expensive maintenance

Legacy systems require ongoing maintenance to keep them running smoothly. However, as these systems age, finding the necessary parts and expertise to service them becomes increasingly difficult and expensive. Vendors may discontinue support for older technologies, forcing companies to rely on specialized technicians who can charge a premium for their services. This can lead to escalating costs that far exceed the price of modernizing your infrastructure.

Our research found that:

• Up to 80% of companies’ IT budgets is spent keeping old IT systems afloat; and
• 40% of IT leaders regret their legacy technology purchases.

Imagine how differently your IT department would operate if resources weren’t tied up in preserving the status quo. Not only would budgets increase, but IT managers would have the opportunity to leverage solutions they’re actually excited about. 

Saying goodbye to legacy IT

These numbers tell a clear story, but you don’t have to wait around to see how badly it ends. Instead of staying stuck with costly legacy IT infrastructure, teams can choose to innovate. AI powered-IT solutions (AIT) are shown to improve security, increase IT efficiency, and enhance the use of resources. IT departments using modern solutions experience higher levels of customer and employee satisfaction and better business outcomes all around, including cost savings.

To learn more about the hidden costs associated with legacy IT and how Atera can help, download the infographic!