Your IT is the foundation of your company and in 2022 and beyond, even more so. When did you last evaluate your technology, your solutions, and your infrastructure? With the move to SaaS and Cloud solutions, there are many tech savings to be had, and countless tech improvements that could boost your business and reduce your outgoings!
Objectively reassessing your technology needs, and the most relevant solutions, in line with your current business needs and goals, should be high on your priority list. And from our experience, we know companies don’t assess these needs regularly enough; there are many efficiencies and savings to be had.
With this in mind, we’ve highlighted 5 important benefits from undertaking a third-party IT assessment.
1. Evaluate your current IT solutions
When did you last assess your IT stack, your solutions, apps, programmes, and hardware? Do you have a clear view of your computers, printers, scanners, software, mobile devices, and apps? Do you know their age, their software versions, and when they were last updated? At one time, your hardware and software may well have been state of the art, but is it now?
Often businesses don’t plan upgrades or infrastructure changes, they simply react to new requirements or needs, and this can mean that solutions and tech may not compliment or communicate proficiently with each other. Having the full picture of your current IT situation is so important; should something need updating you need to know that you have contingency plans in place.
2. Reduce your outgoings
Once your tech has been evaluated, there will no doubt be savings to be had. Once you know what’s not working effectively, your processes, systems and practices can be streamlined. With newer tech solutions or software, time, energy, and resources will also be saved.
3. Recognise your security vulnerabilities
The threat landscape is evolving at a rapid rate and being able to trust your infrastructure and implement your security measures is so important. Best practice cyber security isn’t a ‘set it up and it’s done’ solution, you need to proactively manage it. An IT Assessment from an external trusted provider will highlight any vulnerabilities and provide recommendations for effective actions and solutions.
4. Provide an understanding of compliance and regulatory standards
Many businesses must adhere to a set of regulated standards, generally devised by the government, or a recognised industry body. These standards will be defined within agreements and contracts. Failure to comply can result in not only reputational damage but in financial penalties as well. An outsourced IT assessment will highlight any issues or failings that could jeopardise your company, and potentially lead to a hefty fine.
5. IT Strategy Development
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.
An outsourced IT assessment will provide you with the detailed knowledge you need to base your IT strategy on. Having a clear picture of your IT strengths and weaknesses will bring direction that will better your business procedures, practices, and performance. Such information is invaluable in the current working climate. Ensuring your business has the technology stack it needs to not just survive, but to thrive – is key.
Here’s a quick summary of some of the other aspects an outsourced IT assessment will provide you with:
- An understanding of your network performance
- The vulnerabilities and strengths in your general security and cyber security measures
- The validity and effectiveness of your software solutions, the support they may need, their versions and update requirements
- The effectiveness of your backups and their policies
- The performance, security, and use of your end user equipment
- An understanding of the use and security of your mobile devices
- A report on your compliance and GDPR measures
- The efficiency of your networks and cabling
- A clear view of the effectiveness of your remote working operations
- A report on your cyber resilience, threats, and cyber practices
- A view of new and effective IT solutions that could streamline, improve, and save your company money
- And more.
To find out more, or to book an outsource IT assessment with the IT experts at SPC IT, do get in touch, we’ll be happy to help.