Digital technology is the heartbeat of any modern business, as companies are now connected to the world on a 24/7 basis. Naturally, then, your Oklahoma-based organization needs advanced IT management and cybersecurity to keep up with growing technology needs.
This is especially true now that many businesses have been forced to work remotely in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. As businesses have made the abrupt shift to at-home work, some are experiencing even more disruptions as they try to adapt their tech to new working environments.
If your business is experiencing interruptions due to your technology, here’s a guide to eliminating those issues and making your business more secure and efficient:
Identifying & Beating the Biggest Tech Disruptions for Oklahoma Businesses
Recognizing the need to optimize your company’s IT management is one thing, but most C-Level Executives don’t know where to start. Investing time and energy into the right functions is vital. Here are three key areas you should focus on to keep tech disruptions to a minimum:
Cybersecurity Breaches
Cybersecurity dominates IT conversations across the globe. In truth, the hysteria surrounding breaches is valid. Still uncertain? Let’s take a look at the statistics:
- A cybersecurity breach is registered every 39 seconds.
- Over 7 in 10 breaches are motivated by financial gains.
- Data breaches cost companies an average of $3.92 million.
There are hundreds of additional stats that emphasize the dangers of breaches within your company. Direct financial losses are exacerbated by the reluctance of clients to stay loyal to your company, and extended recovery time can cause lasting damage that trickles down throughout all levels of the organization.
Given that new malware, viruses, and scams hit the digital arena every week, it’s important to work with a Managed IT Services provider to get 24/7 system monitoring along with rapid responses to infected systems. An MSP can help you implement layers of cybersecurity on every level to ensure files are encrypted, incident response procedures are in place, and staff is trained in cybersecurity.
Downtime
The first rule of any business is that time is money. Given modern business reliance on digital systems, you simply cannot afford to be hit by tech-based downtime. Here’s why:
- Datacenter downtime costs companies an average of $740,357.
- Over 9 in 10 data centers have experienced downtime in the last two years.
- The average company loses 545 hours of staff productivity annually.
There is no escaping the fact that downtime hits your bottom line hard. Downtime can be caused by a host of sources. Common culprits include inadequate tech, poor maintenance, subpar staff training, and cyber attacks.
But you don’t need to be an expert in the field or even recruit on-site specialists to combat downtime. Teaming up with a Managed Service Provider in Oklahoma provides access to ongoing monitoring of all systems as well as dedicated investigations into how your infrastructure can improve. By detecting potential causes of downtime and completing maintenance or upgrades on time, you can eliminate downtime and its negative effects.
No IT Strategy
Strategizing your IT is just as important as strategizing any other aspect of your business operations. Without a clear and targeted strategy, the business will hit unnecessary obstacles. The best strategy should cover:
Budgeting and a more effective use of your capital. Streamlining the implementation of hardware and software facilities. Tech alignment with your short- and long-term business objectives.The first two points highlight the need to remove waste from your IT operations. Using Managed IT Services gives your Oklahoma business access to a team of experts at the cost of one on-site technician. Crucially, the relevant expertise and ongoing monitoring can remove unnecessary or outdated hardware and software to focus on products that will optimize productivity.
Misalignment with business objectives is an issue that many companies face by neglecting to include their IT in their strategies. Simply using your technology to complete processes without a clear strategy only offers limited benefits. When data-driven decisions are made to support the unique challenges and aspirations of your company, your tech can become an asset.
How Eliminating Tech Disruptions Can Benefit Your Business
At a time when many businesses are suffering, every strategic decision must be calculated to ensure you can continue offering your goods and services. Establishing the elimination of technological disruptions as a priority brings a plethora of benefits for the business, allowing you to
- Maintain optimal levels of productivity,
- Protect employees, clients, and business assets alike,
- Prevent financial disasters and reputational damages,
- Maintain pace with your competitors, and
- Focus more time on business management.
As far as tech disruptions are concerned, prevention is the best form of protection by far. With a detailed and versatile managed IT strategy that evolves in parallel to tech advancements and company expansions, a smoother operation is guaranteed.