Summary:
Older technology can leave your business vulnerable to cyberthreats and operational inefficiencies. From advanced cybersecurity to streamlined customer support, what tools and capabilities do your business need to succeed in 2025?
Earlier this month, Google revealed its “Year in Search,” which rounds up the top trending queries users entered into the search engine this year. Most of what we saw didn’t come as a surprise, with popular search terms relating to sports, the U.S. election and even online trends like “demure” and “Spotify Wrapped.”
This got me thinking: If we were to look at what topics were trending from a business perspective, what would we see?
We’d see that cyberthreats are at the highest they’ve ever been, customer expectations continue to evolve and competition across industries is growing fiercer. These are challenges that most businesses face today, and while there are a number of solutions to address them, a great place to start is modernizing outdated IT infrastructures with advanced, cost-effective and easier-to-use solutions.
Below, I’ve listed five powerful reasons why updating your IT infrastructure should be at the top of your priority list in 2025.
1. Enhanced security
Cybersecurity threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and outdated security measures simply can’t keep up. Businesses relying on legacy cybersecurity systems are far more likely to experience severe breaches—costing them time, money and customer trust. In fact, cyberattacks on U.S. utilities companies increased by 70% over the last year, primarily due to their reliance on outdated technology solutions.
Forrester predicts that global cybercrime will cost $12 trillion in 2025. While cybersecurity risks threaten businesses of all sizes and across all industries, those in highly regulated sectors like finance and healthcare are especially vulnerable.
By adopting cutting-edge security solutions like Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Security Service Edge (SSE), you can better protect both sensitive data and customer confidence. Investing in newer cybersecurity services is a strategic and essential choice that fortifies your business in an era of heightened digital risk.
2. Streamline business operations
Efficiency is the foundation of any successful organization, and modern IT solutions can revolutionize your day-to-day operations. Tools like fiber internet provide the scalability, speed and reliability businesses need to stay agile in a competitive market—and the bandwidth needed to take advantage of powerful AI-enabled business applications.
Next-gen applications for things like customer support, financial management and unified communications enhance productivity by automating routine tasks, reducing manual errors and improving collaboration. This streamlining of operations not only saves time but also positions your organization for long-term growth and adaptability.
3. Reduce costs
While the initial investment in new technology might seem daunting, the cost-saving benefits outweigh the expense. Around 75% of IT teams spend 5-25 hours a week updating and patching outdated solutions, and nearly one-third say that a significant portion of their legacy systems are unable to support modern AI and automation tools.
Newer solutions enable businesses to maximize the efficiency of lean IT teams, eliminating the need for costly legacy hardware and software maintenance. In addition, automation, cloud computing and other advancements reduce overhead while improving business outcomes.
By transitioning to newer technologies, your business can optimize resource allocation and achieve a leaner, more efficient IT infrastructure—all while minimizing maintenance costs.
4. Improve user and customer experience (UX/CX)
Today’s IT technology helps you deliver exceptional experiences to both your customers and your employees. User-centric solutions powered by artificial intelligence (AI) ensure consistently seamless, intuitive interactions across every channel and give your teams the tools they need to streamline their workflows.
From advanced customer support solutions like Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) to enhanced digital interfaces, modernized IT makes every touchpoint more efficient and enjoyable. Happy customers mean loyal customers, and loyal customers are critical to business success.
5. Gain a competitive advantage
Staying ahead means staying innovative. Companies that embrace cutting-edge IT solutions are better positioned to differentiate themselves in the marketplace, attract new customers and retain existing ones.
Whether it’s faster service delivery, enhanced security or superior customer experiences, modernized businesses stand out as industry leaders. Don’t let outdated technology hold you back—modernize now to maintain your competitive edge.
Get your business future-ready with Windstream
Your competitors are already capitalizing on the increased efficiency, security and cost savings that today’s IT solutions deliver. If you want to remain competitive, it’s time to take advantage of the latest tech advancements that can give your business an edge. From enhanced security and streamlined operations to cost savings and improved CX, the benefits are clear—as are the risks of delaying. Don’t wait for outdated technology to become a liability.
Let us be your trusted partner in modernizing your IT infrastructure. Our cutting-edge solutions are designed to help your business stay ahead in a tech-forward environment. With a dedicated support team, scalable offerings and a commitment to innovation, we’re here to drive your success in 2025 and beyond.
