THE REAL COST OF AGING TECHNOLOGY
Most organisations understand the importance of maintaining critical assets.
Buildings are refurbished. Plant and equipment are serviced. Gaming machines are upgraded. Air-conditioning systems receive scheduled maintenance because everyone understands the consequences of failure.
With technology, it’s a little different — if it continues to operate, it is often assumed to be fine.
Recent events have demonstrated why that assumption can be risky.
Investigations into the nationwide Telstra network outage have focused on the failure of an obsolete network timing server—equipment reportedly worth less than $30,000. While regulatory investigations are continuing, the outage disrupted communications, electronic payments and emergency services across Australia, highlighting how the consequences of ageing technology can far exceed the cost of replacing it.
It is a warning to us all.
Security technology is now one of the most important operational systems within a club or hospitality venue. CCTV, access control, video analytics and supporting network infrastructure are relied upon every day to protect people, assets and reputation.
Yet many of these systems are left alone, without appropriate health checks.
Unlike mechanical equipment, technology rarely announces its decline. Performance often deteriorates gradually. Software reaches end-of-support. Manufacturers discontinue products. Replacement parts become scarce. All while operational requirements evolve.
The greatest risk is not necessarily that a system stops working. It is that it no longer performs when you need it most. So, the question should be changed: from “is the system still working?” to “is the system still capable of meeting today’s operational requirements”.
Exact Tech’s CEO, Steve Van Zwieten says the most effective organisations take a planned approach—reviewing critical systems regularly, understanding their lifecycle and budgeting progressively for future upgrades rather than reacting to unexpected failures.
“You should not replace technology just because something new is available. But thinking it’s all ok just because it still works, can lead to big and expensive problems. It’s far more economic to take the middle road and regularly check the health of your technology. That way you can take action before Telstra-like problems emerge.”
When viewed this way, technology investment becomes less about replacing equipment and more about protecting business continuity.
The real cost of aging technology is rarely the equipment itself. It is the operational disruption, reputational damage and unexpected expense that can follow when critical systems fail.
Exact Technologies works with clubs, hospitality venues and multi-site organisations throughout Australia to help maximise the performance, reliability and lifespan of electronic security systems. Through structured reviews and lifecycle planning, venues can make informed investment decisions and maintain confidence that their security technology will continue to perform when it matters most.
For more information about how Exact Technologies can help keep a check on the health of your security technology contact Exact Technologies today.
Contact Exact today to arrange your free, no obligation consultation – or click here, submit your details and we’ll contact you.
For more information contact
Steve Van Zwieten
Exact Technologies
Phone: 02 8020 2980
(M/L: 000101630):
