The task of effectively managing office technology is becoming increasingly more complex. Even at the most basic level, there are computer and network systems, along with software management that can leave internal IT staff feeling frazzled and overwhelmed.
That’s assuming you have IT staff.
Many small businesses attempt IT management without hiring dedicated personnel. For businesses just starting out, this seems like a good decision – that is, until a disaster strikes and they find themselves with no real system or securities in place.
The fact is, most businesses reach a point during their growth where managing IT services independently ceases to be an option. The problem is that while their IT needs have grown beyond what they can effectively handle on their own, hiring an in-house team just isn’t feasible.
This is obviously a frustrating situation for businesses, but managed IT services offer a viable solution.
How do you know if your business has reached the point where managed services would be a cost-effective asset? Here are three clues that indicate you’re ready.
Your Business Growth Has Exceeded Your Technology
In business, growth is the goal. So, you know when you’ve hit your target and crushed goals, that you’re doing something right. As your business becomes more successful, it’s inevitable that new problems and headaches will arise.
That’s ok, because you’re up for the challenge. But when it comes to increasing IT demands, attempting to stick with an outdated system and lack of support is usually more trouble than it’s worth. Plus, the wrong approach to technology during critical growth periods can actually lead to stagnation.
If future growth is potentially limited by your current level of technology, the time to connect with managed IT services is now, not later.
Network Performance Is Lagging
A slow, lagging network can be a major productivity obstacle for your business. Unfortunately, the solution to this issue is rarely as simple as bandwidth.
Network performance issues can have a significant impact on your business – from taking way too long to access a customer’s account to spending too much time performing daily functions. Every minute spent with inefficient technology equals revenue lost.
IT Is Eating Away at the Budget
Recurring IT issues can be a major expense for businesses. From lost revenue to employees spending too much time and energy dealing with IT issues instead of focusing on their other responsibilities, each occurrence eats away at the budget.
This is even more true if your IT issues are beyond the scope of anyone on your staff, and you’re finding yourself constantly seeking outside support for individual problems. While hiring a support team is an expense, most businesses find that the convenience and quick resolutions save them money in the end.
A full-service IT consulting team does more than just solve the occasional problem. We offer services that include data protection, disaster recovery, network security and more in addition to full IT support. Don’t let a weakness in technology prevent growth for your business. Contact us at Proactive IT today to learn more.