As the year winds down, it’s the perfect time to make sure your technology is ready to support your business goals in 2026. Many small and mid-sized businesses wait until something breaks to think about upgrades—but proactive planning now can save you downtime, stress, and unexpected costs later.
Here are a few key areas to review before the new year:
💻 Hardware Warranties & Replacement Plans
Check the age and warranty status of your computers, servers, and network equipment. Most business-grade systems have a 3–5-year lifespan. If your hardware is nearing end-of-life or out of warranty, it’s time to plan replacements before they fail unexpectedly.
🔗 Data Sharing & Collaboration Tools
Efficient and secure data sharing is essential for hybrid and remote work. Review how your team accesses and shares files—whether through OneDrive, SharePoint, or on-premises servers—to ensure permissions are properly set, data is encrypted, and collaboration is seamless without sacrificing security.
🗄️ Server Storage & Performance
A full or aging server can slow your operations, limit backups, and put data at risk. Review your available storage, backup strategy, and cloud integration options to ensure your systems stay reliable and scalable as your business grows.
🛡️ Microsoft 365 Renewals & Security Settings
Make sure your Microsoft 365 licenses are up to date and optimized for your team’s needs. This is also a good time to review security measures—like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), email filtering, and data retention policies—to stay compliant and protected from evolving cyber threats.
🖥️ Windows 11 Upgrades
Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 in October 2025, meaning no more security updates or patches. If you still have Windows 10 computers, plan ahead now for hardware upgrades or replacements to avoid a last-minute scramble next year.
🤖 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Readiness
AI tools are transforming how businesses operate—from automating tasks to improving customer service and decision-making. Evaluate whether your systems and security policies can safely support AI integrations within Microsoft 365 or other platforms. Preparing now ensures you can leverage AI effectively (and responsibly) as it becomes a larger part of everyday business.
🧹End-of-Year Data Cleanup
A digital clean sweep gives you a truly fresh start for 2026. Don’t carry old risks, clutter, or compliance headaches into the new year!
🗂️ Archive last year’s financials to secure drives or folders.
🧹 Ask your team to purge obsolete documents, emails, and disable unused accounts.
🔑 Track down, inventory, and securely dispose of out-of-date devices, access cards, and expired login tokens.
✅ Start 2026 with Confidence
Don’t wait until January to find out your systems aren’t ready. A proactive year-end tech review can uncover potential issues, budget needs, and upgrade opportunities before they impact your business.
📅 Book your end-of-year tech review with SkyViewTek today—and step into 2026 with a faster, safer, and more reliable IT environment. Contact Bernie Orglmeister at support@skyviewtek.com or call 610-590-5006 for expert help today!