You own a small business, and you’ve been doing just fine without a dedicated IT guy. Your business, however, like everything else these days, depends on technology: email, phones, databases, documents, spreadsheets, and, maybe even software unique to your industry. How then, do you know when it is time to bring in some professional IT support? Let's take a look at three of the most common signs:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are a number of security measures a company can and should take in order to protect employees and the company network, but there will always be a chance something slips through the cracks which is why having data backups is ESSENTIAL.
What are you going to do when (not if) your hard drive crashes or your PC gets ransomware (any employee could spread it) and you lose all your contacts, documents, contracts, and financial records? How much of a disruption to your business can you suffer through? Put a dollar figure to that. The cost of a disaster recovery solution provided by Four Winds will pale in comparison and ensure your business can recover from any disaster be it natural or man-made.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When things don't work the way you want it can be frustrating. Many small businesses rely on technology to function and if certain devices or software isn't working, you aren't working. Tech is meant to enable employees to be more productive during the workday and get more done, but if those billable hours drop because a computer won't start, you cannot print, or are unable to send or receive a simple email... what is your tech really doing for your business?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Computers, servers, switches, and printers represent a significant financial investment. Relying on a big box store salesman to determine what is needed in your business while giving you the best bang for your buck is a fool’s folly. The most likely result is that you will spend way too much without properly addressing your business needs.
If you want to scale properly you need to align your IT with your grown plan so you can forecast needs, determine what new tools your staff will need, and be able to pivot as plans inevitably change. All too often we see a business owner purchase equipment that is overkill - way too powerful and costly and doesn't end up addressing the true needs of the business.
Professional IT consultants have valuable experience having worked with numerous other businesses and can work with you to ensure your network is ready to grow with your business while ensuring your team has access to the tools needed to succeed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clearly, these aren't the only reason why a business should be working with an IT professional, but if you find yourself relating to any of the above, your business needs IT support. We give our clients the ability to run their business with confidence, knowing their team can work without interruption, utilizing the right tools, on a network that is built to evolve and grow with the business.
If you are curious about how working with an IT professional can transform your specific business and want to learn more we'd love to hear from you! Give us a call at 941-315-2380, or schedule a free network assessment with a Four Winds Expert today!