As an established small business or new start-up company, ensuring you have the right resources is a crucial priority in creating solid foundations for future growth. Effective IT services are one area that can hold plenty of value if implemented correctly. As a tool to improve productivity, reduce time wastage and standardize processes, modern IT services provide value that sets your business up for the future.
Whether your current IT system isn’t ticking the boxes or you’re implementing a complete solution for the first time, our guide covers everything you need to know. Read on now to find out why you should be investing in IT services for your small business.
What are small business IT services?
Small business IT services cover a spectrum of different functional applications and tools. These solutions help to enhance productivity, improve security and streamline business operations. As a small company, there are many readily available technology solutions designed to suit your business needs. With today’s advancements in cloud solutions allowing better scalability at a lower cost, it’s easier than ever to invest in software that suits your operational requirements without breaking your budget. For example, enterprise solutions such as Microsoft Exchange and SharePoint are available in Microsoft 365, making them more accessible than ever for smaller companies, without the enterprise costs of the past.
What challenges do businesses face with IT infrastructure?
Why invest in IT infrastructure for your small business? A primary reason to upgrade is to transition from tools and technology that no longer work for you. As companies grow and industry demands change, what worked ten years ago won’t tick the boxes today. The more these challenges grow, the more difficult it is to keep up with others in your field. If you’re facing any of these challenges, now might be the time to consider investing:
Increasing demand for security
A malicious breach or antivirus failure can lead to big problems for the smallest of businesses. The more operations you conduct through the cloud, servers, and local area networks, the more demand there is for a capable security solution to keep that data safe. If you store customer information and private data, it’s doubly important to ensure you meet the high-security standards your customers expect from the businesses they choose.
Continually growing data volumes
The running of any business generates significant amounts of data. From financial reporting to sales figures, marketing materials, to databases, the volume of data an average company produces requires careful management. If your current IT solution doesn’t account for this month-on-month increase, looking into different IT solutions may be prudent. As your business grows and digitizes further, the demand for data will likely continue to rise, making a scalable solution a solid choice to meet that changing requirement.
Operational efficiency and tool bloat
Investing in tools without solid research and understanding can present as much of a challenge as not investing at all. Improving operational efficiency requires the right tools for the right job. Multiple applications that don’t mesh or make workflows more granular can be a problem for your business. By consolidating your IT systems to a core service that offers scalable functionality, you can save time and training investment in ineffective tools that don’t do the job.
Managing outdated legacy IT solutions
Legacy IT solutions are a challenge for many reasons. Firstly, an outdated system may be more complex and difficult to learn and understand than modern, streamlined cloud services. Legacy software is also not up to current standards, leading to reduced security and a greater risk of potential breaches year on year. This issue is particularly prevalent in legacy IT that no longer receives patches or updates, leaving your business vulnerable.
Handling the transition to the cloud
Transitioning from existing IT systems to the cloud can be a struggle for businesses of any size. Implementing a new IT solution that works for you to make that change easy can save time, money, and stress. Cloud computing quickly becomes vital for many business operations, from remote working to collaborative tools. Understanding which cloud service suits your business requirements and balances functionality and cost well can be a hurdle for many small businesses in embracing digital transformation.
Cost of upgrade for IT services
Cost is a crucial consideration in upgrading IT services. Whether your budget for IT infrastructure is low or you’re looking to cut costs on a legacy system, the amount you’re paying out should reflect the benefits you receive. Advanced solutions are more accessible than ever to small businesses. With the introduction of the cloud and software suites, the upgrade cost no longer requires tens of thousands of dollars in server purchases. In many cases, no costly implementations and complex learning curves with extensive training fees are necessary.
Why you should be investing in IT services for your small business
Why should investing in IT services be a top priority for your small business? Effective technology solutions can improve every process, workflow, and operation within your company. By laying the proper groundwork with quality IT solutions, you have the solid foundation to build effective operations on. IT services are the ideal first change to make as a tool to enhance productivity, improve output, and make your day-to-day work more manageable.
Here are a few of the reasons why investment in IT solutions is an ideal next step for you:
High value resources at an affordable cost
Modern IT solutions provide a way to access valuable resources and applications at an affordable rate. With the dawn of the cloud and software as a service, accessing high-end technology that may previously have been limited to larger companies is easy. Microsoft 365, for example, allows you to access a wealth of operation-focused applications, with the option for various add-ons and modules to customize the experience and fit your particular budget.
Increased day-to-day functionality
The day-to-day running of your business is an integral area for improvement. For example, improving the workflow of specific operations can save time and money and provide a positive customer experience. Investing in new IT services supports an increase in functionality, which benefits your employees and customers. Some of the critical areas of functionality that a modern IT solution can offer include:
- Collaborative tools – Collaborative software such as Microsoft Teams allows businesses to collaborate more effectively in a dedicated workspace. Implementing Teams doesn’t just give access to the typical video conferencing experience. Individual teams can work together from anywhere worldwide, sharing documentation, creating whiteboards, and listing progress.
- Essential applications – The functionality of a workplace is directly impacted by the tools and technology they have to use. Staples such as Excel, Word, and Outlook are so ingrained into the office environment that many users cannot imagine working without them.
- Wellbeing and engagement – Both engagement and wellbeing are becoming big priorities for small businesses. With employee satisfaction directly linked to productivity and performance, an IT solution that supports happier employees is a significant benefit. Microsoft Viva is one solution that allows small businesses to track and monitor engagement, wellbeing, and productivity.
Improved cybersecurity
Malicious attacks, breaches, and old-fashioned human error can overcome outdated security systems, leaving your small business vulnerable. One of the primary reasons that companies choose to update their IT systems is a recent security failure. But why not get ahead of the curve? Resolving a disaster before it can happen makes it possible to meet compliance and manage detection and response effectively.
- Next gen AV/EDR solutions – Endpoint detection and antivirus systems protect your business by preventing breaches, malicious access, and other threats. Investing in a quality protection system is vital to reducing risk and avoiding high costs in the aftermath of a breach. Next-generation antivirus solutions use machine learning, AI, and behavioral detection to provide enterprise levels of protection to small businesses.
- Email protection solutions – Email is a common source of malicious attacks, from viruses to phishing. An email protection solution is a vital part of a modern IT system. Alongside security awareness training, a properly managed email protection solution protects a vulnerable area of your small business effortlessly.
- Data backup solutions – Ensuring data is backed up and stored off-site helps keep your business safe. From natural disasters to sabotage, on-site servers are vulnerable. Implementing a cloud-based data backup solution provides all the benefits of accessible data while mitigating physical risks to on site data and assets.
Advanced capabilities scaled to your business size
Small businesses aren’t one-size-fits-all. What is a priority for your company may be less critical to others. As such, a tailored solution that fits your business and scales to your needs provides the perfect option. As your business grows and changes, a scalable solution grows with you – ensuring you always have what you need to keep productivity high and output higher. By implementing a scalable IT system, you have the freedom to change and upgrade to different tools as needed, such as:
- Microsoft Teams Phone
- Microsoft Viva Insights
- Advanced data loss protection
- Microsoft Bookings
- E-Sign services
Bring branding to the forefront
Brand perception is vital for every business. Providing a professional image and helping customers define and identify your business is particularly valuable. Your email and domain branding are the immediate impressions that your customers get of your business. By upgrading to a modern IT solution, you can ensure that everything visible to potential customers is on-brand, from first contact to the ongoing conversation.
Improved productivity enhances workplace efficiency
Productivity is integral to business success. Investing in IT solutions is one way to put productivity first. Implementing technology that streamlines workflows, automates tasks, and reduces employee burdens can quickly produce results. Choosing IT services that focus on efficiency can help reduce the pressure on staff members, improving the speed and quality of project completion. Unified IT services are the best place to start if your productivity needs aren’t being met.
How IT solutions benefit your small business
IT solutions benefit small businesses in a couple of ways. Firstly, a good IT solution makes your job easier. By streamlining workflows and reducing bloat, companies spend less time completing menial tasks. Secondly, a robust IT solution provides the first stepping stone to growth. With a solution that works for your business and scales successfully, the transition from start-up to a small company and beyond is far more accessible. Here are some of the key ways that an effective IT solution can benefit your small business:
Easy access to tools that transform operations
Accessing the correct tools for operational tasks is a quick and easy route to improving efficiency. Upgrading to a modern collaboration solution provides access to those tools, enabling your business to optimize different workflows without relying on outdated technology. In systems that use multiple, non-communicative software or applications, access to a centralized solution such as Microsoft 365 is particularly valuable to save time and costs.
Support for employee engagement and wellbeing initiatives
If you plan to introduce initiatives to improve wellbeing and engagement, IT solutions exist that provide the perfect supplement. Tools such as Microsoft Viva offer the flexibility to understand your employees better. By providing a positive working environment, companies can increase their productivity and output. Utilizing IT solutions that support this goal is essential in getting the complete picture of employee engagement, productivity, and performance.
Greater connectivity for improving collaboration
For many modern workplaces, remote working and multinational teams are the new standard. Utilizing software that allows for excellent connectivity anywhere in the world helps make this recent change easier to handle. Microsoft Teams, for example, supports employees working from any location to be a part of document creation, amendment, and virtual meetings to stay on track. Modern IT solutions provide the framework for new collaboration methods with connectivity required for many modern workplaces.
Security tools that inspire confidence
The primary benefit of powerful next generation antivirus and data protection systems is their superior defense against today’s constantly evolving cybersecurity threats. Taking these threats seriously and mitigating risks provides a positive perception of your brand, inspiring confidence in your business for customers and internal staff alike.
Modular IT solutions that grow with your business
Scalable, modular solutions are hugely popular across all businesses and sectors. Small businesses are no exception, with plenty of room to grow and change. A flexible IT solution that evolves with your business provides the benefit of a functional solution at every point in your journey.
Reduced risks lead to reduced costs
A single breach can be extremely costly for your business, with remediation and associated costs of 6 to 7 figures, depending on severity. This price tag makes every vulnerability a risk not only to your operations but to your budget, too. Choosing a solution with advanced antivirus, email protection, and data backup can ensure your business mitigates today’s ever-changing cybersecurity risks.
Are you ready to invest in your business IT infrastructure?
If your small business needs a new IT solution, Ramsey Consulting Services can help. We are dedicated specialists in modern IT solutions and service management. Whether your current solutions are outdated or you are planning on launching a business, our experts can support you in implementing scalable, practical solutions that suit your business needs. Get in touch with us today to find out more.
