We live and work in a ‘Digital Age’. Gone are the days of pen, paper, notes and telegrams. These days, running a modern business means maintaining a strong IT infrastructure, whether working with other businesses or selling directly to consumers. However, not all business owners have the same level of tech savviness. That’s where external IT support and services can come in particularly handy.
You could know everything there is to know about running a paintball course or an Italian restaurant or an accountancy firm. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to be the most adept at handling digital operations. This article will highlight the pillars of IT services and support that will keep your business up and running online and beyond.
Physical IT infrastructure
You need to have your infrastructure in place, whether outsourcing your IT services or attempting to build your digital skillset in the workplace. This means accounting for:
- Containment and cabling
- Wireless access points
- Servers
- Network points
Some of these elements can be outsourced, but it’s important to keep them in mind. Setting the foundation allows for other IT pillars to be held up with more integrity.
Cyber security support
Cyber security should be a priority when it comes to your business’s digital profile. Things like customer information, staff details, interaction records, sales figures, stock details and other data are all sensitive and can be the target of common cyber crimes. A lack of cyber security can result in hacks, phishing scams, ransomware, identity theft and more. Proper security measures not only protect your business, staff and customers, but also help to uphold your company’s status of compliance with industry regulations.
Cloud computing
Like many others, your office might have adopted a hybrid or remote working approach. This can make it harder to keep people on the same page or system. Cloud IT support services can encompass various limbs that help your business run smoothly, such as:
- Co-location hosting (for multiple work sites)
- External backups and replications of sensitive data
- Anti-spam server protection
- Cloud-based Office 365 hosting
- Microsoft Azure implementation
The cloud comes as a significant support system for businesses looking to keep things running smoothly, without the same pressure of keeping all the technology in-house.
vCTO services
Similar to cloud computing, vCTO services take some of the technological burden outside of the workplace. These services allow someone to act as your Chief Technological Officer on an as-and-when basis, rather than being accounted for on a salaried role. They will complete the general responsibilities of IT support and maintenance services in such a role, without needing to be on site or working full-time hours.
Business continuity
The reality is that whatever your existing IT support and services infrastructure looks like, your business will occasionally be hit with emergency situations. Downtime is the enemy. It can cause masses of lost custom, while also damaging your reputation in the long run. It’s important to make arrangements for business continuity, including monitoring, backup and recovery strategies and increased availability.
Digital transformations
Keeping up with technology isn’t easy when you’re spinning all the plates of running a business. However, it doesn’t matter how busy you are, the wheels are going to keep turning. It can be worth outsourcing or investing in a ‘digital transformation’ to get your business up to date with IoT, AI, machine learning and big data capabilities. Transitioning to utilising these tools is
If you’re seeking out IT support and managed services from an outside organisation, make sure to look for these pillars in their offerings. By keeping these limbs in order, you should be more than capable of staying relevant in the digital age.
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