Finding the right I.T. system is about more than hardware and software. Our previous I.T. experiences all impact how we evaluate what we have now. Here’s how to give your I.T. a fresh look.
Although the holidays are over, there are still many lessons to be learned from our favorite holiday stories. They can provide unique ways to think about our current situations that give us a fresh perspective that will help us make better decisions.
Lessons we’ve learned from A Christmas Carol, for example, can be effective in shining a fresh light on I.T. systems. No, you aren’t a scrooge who needs to save Tiny Tim, but this could be the year that Ebenezer Scrooge helps you give your I.T. situation a closer look!
The Ghosts of I.T. Systems Past
Are you haunted by something that went wrong with a past I.T. system? Or perhaps you think back on better days. Either way, you are not alone. Our past experiences impact how we view our current situation. Certainly, many of us have experienced a system upgrade that went sideways or a glacially slow network.
On the other hand, we might look back fondly on a past I.T. situation and compare everything to that. Don’t let your past cloud your view of what’s happening now.
Too Little
If ghosts of I.T. systems past haunt you, the most common reason is memories of a bad I.T. situation. The most common cause of that bad situation is a lack of I.T. expertise. It could have been too few I.T. experts trying to battle a massive system-wide change.
A lack of understanding of all of the systems involved or the possible problems that might be encountered can quickly cause a project to go sideways. That’s why having an experienced MSP with expertise in your field, and the specific solutions you need, can make all the difference. Instead of guessing whether that new server is compatible, you can rely on your I.T. partner to provide the needed expertise and the right amount of manpower to get the job done correctly.
Just Right
Good things from your past could also be clouding your judgment. Perhaps a past I.T. network was slow but comfortably reliable, or you worked with outdated software that you knew inside and out so it was at least easy to log onto and find the information you needed.
These experiences may have led you to feel that change only leads to more expenses and additional problems. It could be that you’re aware of limitations with your current I.T., but you’re worried that more changes will simply create more problems.
It can be easy to feel that any current problems would be solved if you could turn back the clock to an earlier time when everything seemed just right. Perhaps you’ve made changes to your systems over the years and blame the fact that you made any changes at all for causing your current problems.
There could have been an expensive new accounting system that never seemed quite right, or pricey smartphones that always seemed a bit glitchy. That type of experience can easily make you reluctant to try something different. The truth is, trying to upgrade isn’t the problem; it usually comes down to trying to make the wrong type of change and/or how it was implemented. Learn a lesson from that, and don’t be afraid to move on.
Maybe Neither
If the old days of I.T. seem better, you might want to take a closer look at your recollections. Were long waits for internet and printing simply accepted back then? Sometimes it isn’t that your past experiences with I.T. were either good or bad.
Your perspective might be formed by the passage of time or by the mental exhaustion from dealing with I.T. changes. If you’ve been stuck having to be hands-on for I.T. changes or to field complaints from your staff, it is no wonder you’re tired.
Try to imagine whether you would upgrade your system right now if you didn’t have to deal with any of the headaches that come from simply making changes. If that is the only reason why you’re sticking with your current I.T., then it’s time to rethink the way your company makes changes.Regardless of how you feel about your past I.T., it’s important to make sure those I.T. ghosts aren’t holding you back. Rather than resist changes, it’s time to hire true I.T. experts to reduce the risks and stress from I.T. updates. If your I.T. solution isn’t actually taking stress off your shoulders but is instead adding to your burdens in any way, then, frankly, it’s time to look elsewhere.
The Ghosts of I.T. Systems Present
The next thing to consider is whether ghosts of your present I.T. system are haunting you. Are you missing messages these spirits are trying to send you?
Just Right… for Now
It might seem like the best I.T. option is whatever you have now. Why risk rocking the boat, right? While a lack of immediate problems might make it seem like no changes are necessary, a lack of action now could lead to huge problems in the future.
Don’t assume that a current lack of system crashes and catastrophic slowdowns are proof that your I.T. system is on the right track. It is important to actually determine where you stand. You don’t want a future where you’re kicking yourself for not acting sooner.
Ask yourself honestly if your current I.T. situation is really working for your company now and if it is prepared to face future challenges.
The Ghosts of I.T. Future
What would your ghosts of I.T. future have to say about your business? You would hope they would tell the story of how your company continued to grow and be successful. While you might take that for granted now, how your I.T. system functions, its weaknesses, and its susceptibility to mayhem will play a large role in your company’s future success.
The best I.T. system is hardly noticed. That can make it tempting to stick with the status quo until something goes wrong. The problem with that is it might leave your company open to serious problems or even minor issues that might keep you a few steps behind your competition.
There are a few of the potential ways your future could unfold.
Hacked or Crashed
These are among the biggest nightmares that any company could face. A future where your company struggles to recover from hackers stealing company or client information is not a pretty one. Likewise, a future where a system crash paralyzes your business for hours or days could be enough to haunt you.
Consider if partnering with a reliable I.T. MSP is a worthy investment to make your company safer. For example, imagine your future if a natural disaster occurs—and how that disaster’s impact would be different if you have a well-designed and tested business continuity and disaster recovery plan in place.
Now is the time to prepare so that your I.T. can keep up with the challenges today and in the future. If a major problem does develop, your company will need to be able to respond quickly. That means having the experts to prevent hacks and crashes plus an outsourced help desk to assist your employees when they need it.
Poorly Timed
Imagine a future where you need to upgrade computers across the company, just to keep up with new software. Perhaps your servers lack capacity, or your mobile devices aren’t compatible with the latest app updates. Then imagine the impact on your company’s earnings report if you need to spend too much on system upgrades in a single quarter or fiscal year.
Sure, it can be done, but, with hindsight, perhaps it would have been better to start this process earlier. An outsourced I.T. management and support team with experience in building 5-year I.T. strategy plans can review what your company has in place now and help your company better plan for the future. That way opportunities to expand your business aren’t bogged down by your I.T.
Remember, you don’t have to be haunted by your I.T. ghosts and wonder if your I.T. situation is a problem waiting to happen. JMARK’s team of experts can work with you to review your current requirements, potential weaknesses, and what I.T. resources your company will need to excel in the future.
From cloud computing to security management and support, there are a whole range of ways JMARK could find ways to save your company time and increase profits so that the I.T. ghosts in your future are all pleasant ones.
JMARK is an outsourced I.T. managed services provider with over thirty years of experience helping businesses leverage business technology to achieve greater success. We have offices in Springfield, Missouri and Tulsa, Oklahoma. To learn how we can help you increase efficiency, reduce risk, and increase profits, contact us via this website, email [email protected], or call 844-44-JMARK.
