Making tweaks to your IT now, could save you a headache in the future, writes Karl Mitchell, Operations Director at Uptime Allies.
With the recent furore around ChatGPT, it would be easy to get carried away with what technology can do for your business. But the truth is, most small businesses are simply not getting the fundamentals of their IT right. By spending a bit of time on the core aspects of IT and telecommunications, businesses could be saving time, money and headaches by choosing the right technologies and partners for their business.
We don’t have to state the obvious that the past few years have presented challenges. Small businesses have had to adapt and that has meant a huge upswing in IT systems like online video conferencing, software and apps. But with price hikes a very real additional expense, most businesses are probably paying too much, or more importantly, paying the wrong providers for their day-to-day services. It’s time to get back to basics.
Here’s a handy guide to optimising your IT, to stay safe, secure and agile:
1. Know thine enemy
A lot of business owners don’t realise that they have purchased services from re-sellers that re-package internet, webhosting and leased lines, usually for the biggest commission. The service element of the agreement is often secondary, meaning if something goes wrong, it’s usually a more convoluted process understanding who is responsible for fixing an issue and what the response time might be.
2. Take some time to get a handle on what you are paying for
What subscriptions are currently in place (and what is that costing you)? Knowing what you are paying for is the first step to cutting down on budget-busting costs.
When are your contracts due for renewal and who are you paying them to? Knowing where to go when something goes wrong is the biggest challenge we see, second only to longcontract tie ins.
3. Are there any additional costs that you simply don’t need?
Understanding your usage is paramount to getting the best service. Often companies go for the highest bandwidth or the most comprehensive package, when in reality, that can be surplus to requirements. Finding a provider with direct relationships means you can flex up and down to suit the needs of your business. Do not be fooled by the shiny offers, not all megabits are created equal!
4. Cybersecurity – get your house in order
More often than not, cybersecurity becomes an issue only when something goes wrong, usually when the damage is done. If you are responsible for data, marketing, communications or websites, then you need to take cybersecurity seriously.
Speak to your provider about how they can protect you – and then take the time to train your team on what to do in the event of an issue. This will include preventative measures such as forwarding emails, paying money to new accounts or management measures such as who to escalate to when something goes wrong. It might sound like a lot, but it’s the single most important thing you can do for your business in the current climate.
5. What you measure, you can improve
Monitoring is standard practice amongst good providers and will ensure that your downtime is limited. Monitoring is, very simply, a way of checking connections as quickly as every second to ensure that everything is working as it should. Connectivity can be affected by all sorts of issues – and we all know time is money.
6. Understanding changeover
Most businesses stay with their current provider because they feel it will be too resource-intensive to make the switch. The reality is that a good provider can handle most of that for you, even managing finalising contracts so that downtime is minimised and cost savings are optimal. Do not be afraid to ask the question, you may get a better deal just by discussing leaving your current provider.
7. Be a commitment-phobe
Beware of the shiny discounts that tie you into long contracts. The last few years have proved that you don’t know what’s around the corner, so work with a provider that can adapt to changes in your usage and requirements. Agility is after all, a much-needed survival tactic in today – and tomorrow’s world.
