Businesses in today’s digital era can remain on an upward trajectory, even in the face of huge competition, by taking advantage of the many benefits of IT solutions. It could be said that the use of managed IT services should be high on the priority list for every modern business owner, given the essential nature of technology in the day-to-day running of an organisation.
While technology keeps operations moving and supports growth, it also unfortunately comes with its downsides. Reliance on technology introduces certain risks, including the potential for disruptions that can lead to lost time and money.
Enter IT solutions – a practical solution to reduce these risks, helping businesses stay on track and avoid costly issues.
The high cost of technology downtime
Despite groundbreaking advances in technological business tools in recent years, the reality is that these innovative platforms and programmes will experience glitches from time to time. This can be a costly occurrence, depending on the issue in question and how long the troubleshooting process takes.
Understanding the financial impact on businesses
Tech failures are more than just an annoyance for business owners; they’re expensive and potentially damaging to a company’s reputation. With over 60% of outages resulting in damages of more than $100,000 for businesses, it’s safe to say the impact of technology downtime can be severe.
The realities of IT downtime costs
Aside from the financial repercussions of lost productivity, arguably the most impactful effects of downtime are experienced in the area of customer service. A significant lapse in business activity can put unnecessary strain on customer relationships, which often hits the bottom line hard.
A 2020 report revealed that 37% of the small and midsize businesses surveyed experienced a loss of customers because of downtime; a significant figure against the backdrop of today’s highly competitive business landscape.
Identifying common tech problems in businesses
Certain technology-related issues occur frequently within a business setting. These include:
Hardware failures and malfunctions
A lot of tech problems stem from hardware malfunctions. This could include anything from a total system crash to a minor issue that briefly slows down performance.
Software bugs and compatibility issues
Software issues, like bugs or compatibility problems, can stop important apps from working, bringing daily tasks to a halt.
Security threats and data breaches
It was reported last year that throughout 12 months, more than 70% of Irish businesses had experienced a cyber attack. Given such statistics, it is no surprise that cybersecurity has become a huge concern for companies in every sector, not just in Ireland, but all over the world. Attacks and breaches can have massive financial implications, and can significantly harm a business’s reputation over time.
A protective shield: The benefits of IT solutions
Given the potential for malfunctions and threat risk when employing technological practices within business operations, it is vital to ensure adequate troubleshooting methods are put in place to mitigate any issues that may be experienced.
In response to this, more and more companies are outsourcing their IT management to companies that specialise in the provision of expert IT solutions, allowing business owners to focus on growth and success in the knowledge that their IT admin is in safe hands. Choosing this route yields many benefits, including:
Proactive monitoring and maintenance
Implementing expert IT solutions ensures constant monitoring and updating of systems, which in turn facilitates the interception and resolution of any IT issues before they can cause disruptions.
Disaster recovery and data backup solutions
Thorough backup and disaster recovery plans integrated by an IT solutions company will enable a business to quickly recover from any problems, without major losses or downtime.
Security protocols and cyber defence mechanisms
The implementation of strong and reliable security solutions that protect against cyber threats will keep data and systems safe from hackers and breaches.
Implementing effective IT strategies
While outsourcing IT solutions to the experts is a wise move, it should also be a strategic one. This means:
Choosing the right IT solutions for your business
Opting for the right provider when it comes to managed IT solutions is crucial. Businesses should ensure that IT solutions are tailored to fit their unique, specific needs to guarantee optimum protection and efficiency.
Providing regular IT training to staff
Teaching teams how to use IT systems properly is just as important as having adequate support in place. Thorough training will empower a workforce to make the most of the technology at hand, while also facilitating the smooth running of operations.
Conducting regular reviews and updates of IT policies
Technology changes fast, which is why IT policies should be regularly updated to make the most of the latest advancements and to ensure they are capable of managing new and more sophisticated cyber threats.
The role of professional IT support
Professional IT support plays an important role in the success of digital businesses across countless sectors.
By outsourcing IT services, companies gain access to expert help and the latest technology at a lower cost than managing IT in-house. However, the importance of choosing the right IT support cannot be stressed enough. This means looking for a partner that is not just skilled in their field, but also a good fit for your business’s way of working.
Choose Arbelos to secure your business through the benefits of IT solutions
To protect against tech problems and facilitate the smooth running of operations, forward-thinking Irish businesses are increasingly turning to Arbelos.
Our team offers the expertise and support needed to implement these solutions effectively, tailoring them to meet each business’s unique needs. Not only do our IT support bundles save businesses money by reducing unpredictable IT expenditure, they offer straightforward implementation, are easy to scale up or down, and are very cost-effective for growing companies.
To find out more about how our IT solutions can be tailored to your business, contact us today.