5 Critical IT & Business Issues to consider

Running a business is easy, right? Ask any experienced business owner and they will tell you that keeping up with the demands of a small business can be extremely challenging. One of the best ways to make this job easier is by finding and implementing the right technology.

Some business owners fall into a rut when it comes to the technology they use. Abiding by the “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” mentality is a horrible idea when it comes to technology. Using outdated tools will hold your company back from achieving its full potential.

Over the years, you will probably experience a number of critical IT issues that will need to be addressed immediately. When it comes to things like cyber-security and network functionality, allowing professionals to help with these important matters is vital. Studies show that over 60 percent of the companies that experience a data hack will close after 6 months.

Instead of being just another cautionary tale for new business owners, you need to pay attention to the IT issues your company has and fix them. The following are just some of the challenges facing businesses in 2019 and what can be done to address them properly.

1. Noticing and Addressing Technology Integration Problems

While most business owners have no problem finding new technology, they do have issues when it comes to incorporating new tools. The inability to properly integrate new technology can lead to your team being less productive and more frustrated than ever before. One of the main things you need to pay attention to when trying to avoid integration issues is the legacy systems in place.

Some business owners hate change, which leads to them hanging on for dear life to outdated tools that are actually doing more harm than good. Many of the latest tech tools on the market will not work with legacy systems that have been deemed outdated or problematic. While change is definitely hard, the grief you and your team feel when phasing out legacy systems will be worth the trouble.

2. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst

Resting on your laurels can be detrimental to the long term success of your company. Staying one step ahead of cyber-criminals is one of the most important things a modern business owner needs to focus on. Each year, the number of cyber-attacks increases, which should give every business owner the motivation they need to fortify their network.

Establishing a disaster recovery plan and a backup system is essential when trying to reduce the damage done by things like cyber-attacks. Consistently backing up the files on your network will make recovering from a network crash or ransomware attack much easier.

If you are confused about where to start with your disaster recovery and backup planning, reaching out to IT professionals is a great idea. They will be able to provide you with the information and guidance needed to develop this plan successfully.

3. Addressing The Root Cause of Ongoing Technical Issues

If your business network is constantly crashing, it will lead to lower than normal productivity levels. The lower your overall productivity levels go, the harder you will find it to avoid losing money. Some business owners think they can handle their own network repairs, but this is seldom the case. You need to keep a close eye on your servers and their logs, and that can be achieved by using a log management tool such as this one here: www.loggly.com.

The longer you allow these ongoing issues to persist, the harder you will find it to keep your business afloat. This is why hiring seasoned IT professionals to find and fix the core issue causing your tech problems is a must. While you will have to pay these professionals for this help, it is definitely worth it. With their assistance, you can keep your business technology running efficiently and error-free for a long time to come.

4. Staying on Top of Network Security Problems

Did you realize that 43 percent of all cyber-attacks are aimed at small businesses? The attacks hackers use to infiltrate business networks are becoming more sophisticated with each passing year. This is why you need to stay on the cutting edge of network security technology to ensure all of your sensitive information stays safe.

Investing in things like professional network monitoring can be extremely beneficial. With this type of monitoring, you can find out about potential network threats before they cause big problems.

5. Strategic IT Planning is a Must

Being disconnected from the technology needs of your employees can have dire consequences. Some business owners have a problem with seeing the big picture when it comes to buying and implementing new technology.

Rather than waiting until the tools being used are obsolete, you need to work with an IT professional to adequately plan out your technology needs of the future. Having a strategic IT plan can help you greatly due to the guesswork that is removed from this process.

Providing your team with the latest and greatest technology can lead to higher morale and productivity levels. Trying to make these important tech decisions without professional help should be avoided at all costs.