Spring Clean Your Tech Stack: Why SMBs Should Audit Their Technology This Season
- Jordan Santos
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Spring is the perfect time for more than just dusting off desks and organizing closets—it’s also a prime opportunity for small and midsize businesses (SMBs) to take a closer look at their technology. Just like outdated filing cabinets or unused office equipment, an aging or cluttered tech stack can slow you down, create inefficiencies, and open the door to risk.
Here’s why a seasonal tech audit matters—and how a little spring cleaning can set your business up for a smoother, more secure, and cost-effective year ahead.
1. Declutter Unused or Redundant Tools
Software sprawl is real. As businesses grow, they often adopt new tools on the fly—resulting in overlapping apps, forgotten logins, and monthly charges for platforms no one uses.
Stat to know: 37% of SaaS licenses go unused in companies, according to a 2023 Productiv report.
What to do: Review all software licenses and tools in use. If a platform hasn’t been used in 90 days, it may be worth evaluating whether it’s still needed.
Bonus tip: Consolidating tools can improve workflows and reduce training time for staff.
2. Assess Security Gaps
Outdated software and unmanaged devices are easy targets for cyberattacks. A spring audit is a great time to ensure patches are applied, unused accounts are disabled, and access rights are aligned with current roles.
Stat to know: 60% of SMBs that experience a cyberattack go out of business within 6 months (U.S. National Cyber Security Alliance).
What to do: Ensure antivirus, firewalls, and endpoint protection tools are up to date. Review your password policies, MFA implementation, and backup systems.
3. Update and Optimize Workflows
Outdated tools don’t just slow things down—they can limit collaboration and lead to costly inefficiencies.
Example: If your team is juggling multiple document storage tools (think Dropbox, Google Drive, SharePoint), it may be time to standardize and streamline.
What to do: Survey your team to find out what tools are helping—and which ones are holding them back. Then prioritize investments in platforms that boost productivity and align with your business goals.
4. Revisit Vendor Contracts and Costs
As the economy shifts, now is a smart time to reevaluate what you’re paying for and whether it still fits your budget or scale.
Stat to know: On average, companies overspend by 15–30% on software and cloud services due to lack of usage or inefficient purchasing.
What to do: Look for contract renewals coming up soon, and identify opportunities to renegotiate, consolidate, or eliminate unnecessary vendors.
5. Refresh Policies and Training
Your tech is only as strong as the people using it. If it’s been more than a year since you reviewed your IT policies or offered cybersecurity training, it’s probably time for a refresh.
Stat to know: Human error is a factor in 95% of cybersecurity breaches (IBM Cyber Security Intelligence Index).
What to do: Reintroduce acceptable use policies, schedule a training session on phishing awareness, and consider publishing quick tech tips for employees.
Other Areas of Your Business to “Spring Clean”
While your tech stack is a good place to start, SMBs may also benefit from reviewing other critical areas:
Data & CRM cleanup: Remove duplicate records, inactive contacts, and outdated information.
Document management: Archive or securely delete files you no longer need.
Hardware check-in: Audit devices—retire old equipment, and ensure inventory is accurate.
Internal processes: Revisit your SOPs or project management workflows to improve efficiency.
Ready to Spring Clean?
Spring cleaning your tech isn’t just about tidying up—it’s about making smarter decisions that drive performance, reduce risk, and stretch your budget. With the right approach, a seasonal audit can uncover opportunities to streamline operations and set your business up for success in the months ahead.
Want some help cleaning up your tech? Contact us today.