Technology is a major investment for your business. Between buying equipment, choosing the right software and storage systems, the final bill can end up being a lot of money. Not only that, but the cost involved in maintaining your technology can also be significant.
But like a car that’s been run into the ground, it’s important to know when to start over. Overhauling your IT can help you benefit from the latest equipment and services, and could even save you money in the long run.
Is it time to overhaul your IT? Here are some of the warning signs to consider.
Everyone’s complaining
People being frustrated with their tech is a familiar sound in offices all over the world. But as irritating as it is to hear, it is frustrating for your employees, many of whom can’t get their work done because of dated equipment that’s no longer fit for purpose. Consider the changing needs of your teams and look to bring in upgraded equipment – there’s only so long you can paint over the cracks until they become serious issues. As more and more businesses accommodate flexible working, it makes sense to reassess your IT needs.
Your storage systems are dated
Data security is one of the most important considerations for businesses today. Any kind of data breach or problem poses a serious financial and reputational risk. If your systems are out of date, or you use a lot of solid-state storage such as hard drives, it’s time to move to the cloud. Cloud technology is transforming businesses, streamlining what they need to operate effectively and making it easier than ever to keep data secure. If it’s not something you’re already doing, then it needs to be a part of your forward work plan.
Remote and flexible working isn’t possible
The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for businesses to be flexible. Having employees work remotely has kept businesses going, and transformed the way individuals work too. There are steps you can take to make your business fully remote, including investing in more portable technology. Providing flexible working to employees can transform your workplace in many ways, and can keep your business running if we’re ever in another lockdown-style situation.
You have too many suppliers to manage
Tech needs can change over time, and instead of using the same supplier for everything, it’s easy to use different companies for different elements – which can mean you end up paying more. A structured, single-source solution from http://www.richmondcomm.com/ could help bring everything into one supplier for you, keeping your costs down and making sure everything is managed effectively. A fully managed IT service helps your business get exactly what you need, allowing you to benefit from updates and regular maintenance when you need them.
Technology is vital to a business, but it works best when you use it effectively. The right tech can improve a small business and make larger businesses run more effectively, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting the best value for money. Consider overhauling your IT and bring some significant improvements to your business.