All posts by SystemsNet

Maximize Growth with Managed IT Services

Cybersecurity, Data Backup, Security, , ,

Maximize managed services

Technology changes rapidly, and IT hardware solutions are a perfect example. You don’t necessarily need to purchase every upgrade released into the market. Some have nothing to do with your IT system, while others are optional, and you can make do without. However, as a business owner, you should know when to adopt fresh IT hardware solutions and leave behind outdated systems.  Maximize your business’s hardware with managed IT services.

When is it Time for a Business to Maximize Managed Services? 

Many businesses put off hardware upgrades for many reasons, the most common being the reluctance to spend. Yes, hardware can be expensive. But then, some expenses are necessary to propel your business forward. They are smart investments that you must make. Here are some signs that it’s time to let go of the old stuff and maximize your business hardware with managed IT services.

Performance

Hardware past its prime can result in sluggish performance, which leads to a drop in productivity and user experience. Your employees will be frustrated, and your clients will begin to look elsewhere for better service. Maximizing your hardware growth with managed IT services is the only way to circumvent this.

Security Issues

Obsolete hardware is the perfect target for cyberattacks because of its weak defenses, which are easily penetrable by modern hacking tools. On the other hand, new hardware is equipped with strong security features that can better protect your business from online threats.

Maximize with Managed IT services If There is an End of Support

Hardware manufacturers offer support, but only for a limited period. Once the support tenure is over, you will no longer receive official updates, which leaves your system vulnerable to all kinds of problems. If you upgrade your hardware, support will continue to be available.

Benefits if You Maximize Growth with Managed IT Services

If you have been experiencing any of the signs listed above, then it’s time for a business IT hardware upgrade. The expenses might sting a bit, especially if you have been holding on for a while and require a total overhaul. However, in the long run, abundant benefits are waiting for you once you maximize growth with managed IT services.

Improved Performance

With the new hardware, your IT systems can operate with more speed and efficiency. Employees and clients would be pleased, and your business would regain its competitive edge.

Enhanced Security Features

Fresh IT hardware solutions come with the most advanced security features, protecting you from continuously evolving threats.

Increased Productivity

Work productivity will shoot up now that sluggish apps and long response times are a thing of the past. You can now benefit from modern applications for your business without worrying that your hardware cannot handle them.

Better Scalability

New hardware solutions are widely scalable. If you need more memory or processing capacity, or if you need to accommodate a greater user load, it won’t be a problem with modern hardware solutions.

Cost-Effective Solutions for Upgrading Business Hardware

As mentioned earlier, cost is the biggest reason that business owners cite for not upgrading the hardware more often. But did you know that by keeping on using your old equipment, you might be spending more? Try using our Business Excessive Spending Calculator and you might be surprised at how much money is unnecessarily going out of your business. You can download the calculator right here.

To learn the benefits of the Spending Calculator, be sure to watch our Webinar on demand to find out the answer to this question: “Are you truly aware of what you’re paying for your IT Services?” Watch the webinar HERE!

Besides, a business IT hardware upgrade need not cost you an arm and a leg. There are many viable options if you have a limited budget. You can investigate leasing or availing of refurbished equipment. IT providers also offer a range of customizable solutions that would be just right for your organization.

If you’re ready to let go of your old equipment and maximize your business growth with managed IT services, we are here to help. Contact us and we can start discussing the best hardware solutions for your business!

Top IT Strategies to Drive Business Growth in 2024

Cybersecurity, Data Backup, , , ,

IT Strategies

Technology evolves at a rapid pace. There is no stopping the onset of new infrastructure, IT strategies, tools, or concepts that would surely be integral to business growth. It can be a struggle to try to catch up with these new advances. So instead, why not take measures to keep you a couple of steps ahead? By anticipating the changes and having the necessary solutions in place to address them, your business can maintain its forward thrust and not get caught unprepared.

Staying ahead of the curve seems ideal and is possible, although there are some challenges that you are likely to encounter along the way. To minimize possible hiccups, create and implement your business growth strategies with the utmost care.

Key Elements of Business Growth IT Strategies for Staying Ahead

To ensure your business keeps up with technology, you need to be on the lookout for new opportunities to learn and grow. This includes attending webinars, following IT blogs, interacting with tech experts, and so on. Not only that, but also consider some important aspects when building your business growth strategies, especially the ones we have listed below.

Scalability IT Strategies

It makes perfect sense for small businesses to make do with only the most fundamental IT solutions while starting. However, many basic IT infrastructures are severely lacking in scalability. When the time comes for your venture to expand, there will be a marked increase in data volume, user load, and business transactions. Is your system capable of all this extra load while maintaining the same optimal performance?

Security IT Strategies

The more your business grows, the more it will be exposed to security risks. Many small business owners don’t even have a robust cybersecurity solution in place, relying only on ordinary antivirus software or similar measures. This flaw makes your company vulnerable to data breaches and other kinds of cyberattacks. Basic security tools will no longer suffice as your business grows, and you will have to shift to more comprehensive security strategies to stay protected.

Integration

Another common challenge for growing businesses has to do with integration. Most businesses apply several tech solutions as needed over time. Now, these systems might be effective individually, but they might not be in sync with each other. This can lead to a myriad of problems in business operations. A seamlessly integrated IT business system can lead to better productivity, better communication, better access to data, and a more streamlined growth process.

Resource Allocation

It is very tricky to operate and grow a business with limited resources. A business owner needs to set their priorities, making sure that all IT needs are met, along with all the other crucial requirements of the business, without going over budget or overburdening the staff.

Get a Head Start by Partnering with a Reliable IT Provider

Even the most competent business manager would have a tough time handling all the above challenges. The only feasible way to conquer them and stay ahead of the technology curve is to partner with a reliable IT provider. This way, you will have access to the best IT strategies, provided by highly trained experts in their respective fields. You won’t have to micro-manage all the technology in your business. Instead, you can focus on running your business while your IT provider manages your company’s tech needs.

In choosing your tech company, make sure you are getting the services you need at a reasonable price. Our Business Excessive Spending Calculator will help reveal any hidden costs from an IT provider. You can download the calculator right here.

To learn the benefits of the Spending Calculator, be sure to watch our Webinar on demand to find out the answer to this question: “Are you truly aware of what you’re paying for your IT Services?” Watch the webinar HERE!

If you need further information, give us a call, and we can schedule you for a free consultation!

IT Support Decision: In-House IT vs MSP

In-House IT
Cybersecurity, Manage Service, Security, , , , , ,

In the digital era that we are in now, there is no question why reliable IT support is a must for all businesses. Recently, if you want to stay productive, competitive, secure, or relevant in your industry, you need to have the proper technology in place. Ultimately, you also need capable In-House IT professionals to handle all these tech needs.

The big question for many business owners is whether to hire an in-house team or to partner with a managed services provider. Both options have pros and cons. To make the right choice, you need to analyze the many differences carefully. To make a thorough In-House IT Guy vs Managed Service Provider comparison, let’s answer some of the most crucial questions.

What Can They Do?

Your In-House IT Guy

An in-house employee tasked with handling the company’s IT concerns is capable of regular IT infrastructure maintenance, general software, and hardware troubleshooting, and dealing with regular technology concerns.

Managed Services Provider

A managed services provider can do everything that the IT guy can do, plus a much wider scope of services and solutions. An MSP employs several highly trained experts in various IT fields, so no matter what the issue, there’s bound to be at least one individual specially trained to address your problems.

How Much Do They Cost?

Your In-House IT Guy

The cost of hiring an IT guy is equivalent to having an additional employee on the company’s payroll. It appears to be the more cost-effective option until you encounter a problem that is beyond your IT guy’s expertise, and that requires you to hire a third party. Furthermore, you would also have to spend on training, benefits, and even equipment for every IT professional you have on your staff.

Managed Services Provider

MSP services usually come at a fixed monthly fee, the size of which would depend on the services that you need. It might be a higher cost than a single monthly salary, but it is inclusive of everything you would need. There will be no surprise expenses, which is much better in terms of budget management.

What Level of Expertise and Support Do They Offer?

Your In-House IT Guy

An In-House IT guy knows your systems like the back of his hand. This familiarity plus a strong understanding of your business, enables him to make sound decisions that will benefit your organization. On the other hand, their skills are limited compared to the combined skill set of an entire MSP team.

Managed Services Provider

MSPs employ many IT professionals trained in diverse fields, from network management and cybersecurity to disaster recovery and cloud services. They will deploy their appropriate specialist to your company depending on your specific needs, so you will always get the best service.

Can They Provide Scalability and Flexibility?

Your In-House IT Guy

Since they are just one individual, it would be difficult for them to adapt to sudden changes in the system, or to handle highly specialized projects. This can cause delays and a lack of efficiency in operations.

Managed Services Provider

Scalability is one of the biggest advantages of working with an MSP. The services they offer are always flexible and can be adjusted based on the changing IT needs of your business.

Final Thoughts

Based on the In-House IT Guy vs Managed Service Provider comparison above, for most businesses, working with an MSP presents significant advantages. However, keep in mind that not all MSPs are equally reliable. Before signing up with any provider, make sure they pass all the criteria listed in our 7 Components to Auditing an IT Provider. You can download the list here for your reference.

We can help you eliminate all this unnecessary spending. Call us today!

5 IT Red Flags for Your Business

IT red flags
Data Backup, Security, Technology, , , ,

Companies are increasingly reliant on technology for different aspects of their operations. IT has indeed come a long way and is now instrumental in the growth of many businesses, but it is still far from perfect. The more technology evolves, the more unwanted issues can arise with its use or misuse. So, how will you know these IT red flags if you do not have professional IT training?

As a non-technical person, you might not have the skills to address IT red flags, but you could identify common IT industry warning signs if you knew what they were. By knowing these signs and being extra vigilant, businesses can nip the problem in the bud through early mediation and avoid further issues that are detrimental to business operations. Here are the top five IT industry warning signs businesses should watch out for.

IT Red Flags: Increased Downtime

System downtime can result from a variety of events, some of which cannot always be avoided, like human error or natural disasters. However, if the downtime becomes more frequent or prolonged, this is likely due to IT red flag issues such as operating system bugs, network vulnerabilities, obsolete hardware, and so on.

IT Red Flags: Security Breaches

If a hacker can penetrate your company’s cybersecurity system, it’s a sure indicator of IT trouble. A strong defense now will not remain a strong defense forever. You need to regularly upgrade and update your system to keep up with constantly evolving hacker techniques.

Sluggish Performance

Slow response times and lagging applications may have been commonplace in the 1990s, but it’s now 2024, so these issues can diminish user experience and productivity. When a computer becomes sluggish, there are many reasons, like insufficient memory, outdated hardware, malware infection, or other IT-related red flag matters.

Escalating Costs

Spending on IT makes sense if the expenses result in tangible results. But if the costs keep rising without notable changes in your IT system, then this is a sign of a problem. It might be time to audit your tech team and maybe even switch to a more efficient IT provider.

IT Red Flags: Lack of Scalability

Technology changes rapidly, and businesses should be able to adapt accordingly to keep up with the times and the competition. An inflexible IT solution will prevent you from doing this, limiting your growth potential.

The Best Way to Address IT Challenges in Your Company

Most, if not all, IT industry red flag signs mentioned above can be quickly resolved, or even avoided altogether, if your company has a reliable technical team to count on to take care of your systems. This is why you must choose your IT provider diligently. But how do you know you are making the right choice? Simple—your provider must fulfill all the 7 Components of Auditing an IT Provider. 

Download a copy of the list here and find out exactly what kind of IT provider you need to hire. Make your selection wisely, and you will not have to deal with any kind of IT red flags. Instead, you can dedicate your attention to running and growing your business. If you want to learn more about IT management, just let us know, and we will be happy to set you up for a free consultation!