The influence information technology has on the productivity of so many enterprises should never be underestimated. In fact, it is one of those business elements that can bring an entire company to a grinding halt. But in the hands of the right people, it can deliver a boost that will stretch beyond increased levels of productivity. The moment the IT section does not work like a well-oiled machine, expect several problems to arise and very quickly escalate, resulting in expenses, unproductive employees, and endless frustration.
Based on detailed discussions with several small business executives regarding their approach to IT within a business setting, a few common problems reached the surface.
Focus on these most cited productivity problems:
1. Adapting To New Software
While new technology can always help to take a small business to the next level, integrating the new technology has proven to be a challenge according to Vectorcloud – IT Support Glasgow. The fast pace of developing technology is too fast for small businesses and their upgrading cycles. Thus, when the integration is done, it causes issues like double data entries and information getting stored in all the wrong places. The only way new technology can aid a small business is by carefully planning the integration before putting it into practice.
2. Backup And Recovery
With any business, even a small one, information needs to be protected at all cost. If you’ve undergone the pain of deleting an important file, you understand the importance of solid backup and recovery procedures. You can also lose valuable information due to a knocked out server. If your backup/recovery process is in place, there won’t be nearly as much damage or downtime involved.
3. Fighting The Issues Without Fixing The Source
With an experienced IT team or provider, there is going to be a tracking process for rising issues. Basically, they follow and analyze the data, while checking for specific trends. And this is also when they might see a bigger problem with all the small issues you are having. After spotting the source of the problem, it can be fixed and the issues cleared up forever.
4. Security Flaws
With hackers getting more aggressive, it is no surprise that small businesses are becoming easy targets. If the thought of hackers getting into your main system and stealing all your valuable information makes you cold, consider IT security procedures and solutions. You don’t have to be a victim when there are many innovative ways to increase security.
5. Miscommunication
Business owners and IT specialists don’t really speak the same language, and it is common problem area. Where a business owner focuses on the bigger picture, the IT team has to think about functionality. They tend to focus on more targeted areas.
If this communication gap can be closed and the business owner makes the IT department part of future growth plans, how easy would it be to integrate new technology later on?
6. Waiting Until It Is Too Late
There is a very big price to pay for using emergency services instead of regular maintenance, and it doesn’t just involve money. With regular maintenance, the problem could’ve been avoided altogether. But business owners tend to think they score in the long-run by waiting until the last second, only to realize the damage can’t be fixed.
7. Frustration For Users And Employees
In a world where everything happens at such a quick pace, nothing is more frustrating than working on outdated technology and software. For employees, it slows down production dramatically, while users ask themselves why they are wasting their time. It is critical that technology for both employees and users stay updated, user-friendly and frustration-free.
Even though these are productivity problems all small businesses currently face, there is a solution. You just need to find the right IT support team for the job.
