How to Upgrade Your Business Tech on a Budget

Upgrading doesn’t have to be intimidating

Every year, there are shiny new models of the computers, phones and other devices we use every day at the office. Keeping up with the latest and greatest isn’t just exhausting, it’s expensive—especially for growing businesses on tight budgets. Finding the balance and knowing which systems to update (and when) is one of the most challenging parts of being a business leader. Here’s how to update your business tech without overwhelming your employees or going over budget.

Learn more in Office Electronics 101: 4 Helpful Tools for Every Business.

Assessing your priorities

In an ideal world, your business would always have the latest iteration of the core technology your company uses most. Realistically, that’s not an efficient use of your time or budget. Before making a single purchase, take a step back and look at the bigger picture. What do you really need? Which upgrades are going to bring the highest return on investment? To answer those questions, turn to the experts.

Conduct a tech audit

Collaborate with your information technology (IT) staff to better understand your company’s technology needs. Take inventory of your current tech stack and prioritize the systems that need updating most. Once you’ve determined your biggest priorities, make a timeline for upgrading and let it serve as a road map throughout the process.

Start with your older technology

Outdated technology can be slow, clunky and frustrating to use. This cuts down on employee productivity and can even affect morale. Even more serious, however, is the fact that legacy technology often leaves you vulnerable to data breaches and other cyber threats. That’s why your first order of business should be to replace obsolete, outdated and unsupported systems with modern alternatives.

Need to upgrade your phone system to something more modern? Explore your options in Business Phones: A Helpful Buyer’s Guide.

Look for ways to make your technology work smarter, not harder

Updating your technology isn’t just about replacing last year’s models with the latest and greatest. Modern business tech is all about optimizing workflows and reducing operational costs. If you’re investing in new technology, think about ways to simplify processes along the way. This could mean going digital if you’re still using analog services, leveraging automation to cut out tedious manual tasks or moving files to the cloud rather than an expensive on-premises server or hard drive.

Making the most of your budget

Planning a technology overhaul may make sense strategically, but executing that plan within your budget is another story entirely. Business leaders must weigh the cost of improved technology with its benefits to determine what to upgrade and when to do it. Here are a few ways to stretch that budget further:

• Get the most bang for your buck: Some technology investments will pay for themselves over time. Think about which purchases will drive the largest return on investment (ROI) and make them a priority.

• Work in phases: If your current budget won’t cover everything on your list, break that list up. By working in phases that span multiple financial periods, you can avoid having a serious deficit on any single quarterly report.

• Consider “as a service” offerings: Software as a service (SaaS) and other “as a service” platforms use a cloud distribution model that allows customers to pay as they go, rather than investing a giant sum up front. They also reduce the burden on your IT staff, which will be important as you transition to new technology.

• Find the right supplier: For hardware purchases, knowing where to buy is as important as knowing what to buy. Work with supply partners who not only have a lot of technology offerings but also provide additional benefits—think free shipping, fast delivery or even rewards you can reinvest in your business. Some retailers even offer business tech solutions like IT support.

For more information about finding the right software solutions, check out 11 Tips to Help You Find the Right Small Business Software.

Invest in your success

Keeping your business’s technology up to date while staying within your budget is no easy feat, so you should use all the resources at your disposal to get ahead. The Walmart Business content hub has a wealth of expert guidance on saving money, growing small businesses and the technology you need to pull it all off.

When it’s time to start shopping, Walmart Business can help with an extensive line-up of office technology from computers and accessories to security solutions and beyond. If you’re already a customer, consider a Walmart Business+ membership to get free shipping,¹ free delivery from local stores on orders over $35,² and 2% back in Walmart Business Rewards.³ That could add up to savings of over $500 a year!⁴

Want to dig deeper into the benefits of Walmart Business+? Click here to learn more.

¹Excludes most Marketplace items, freight and certain location surcharges.

²Restrictions apply. 

³Rewards can only be used toward future purchases on Walmart Business. Additional terms apply.

⁴Savings based on 1 free $35+ delivery order vs. $9.95 fee and 1 free shipping order under $35 vs. $6.99 fee biweekly, plus 2% Walmart Business Rewards on monthly order >$250 (average value of $400).