According to a Verizon business survey, at least 43% of businesses plan on expanding via digital means this year. If you’re one of these proactive individuals, the best way to initiate a growth spurt is by kick-starting your IT infrastructure.
Keep reading for guidance on how to get started and keep your business moving forward in 2021 and beyond.
Identify the IT Infrastructure You Need
There are four main types of IT infrastructure most enterprises need to thrive in modern times. These are:
Network Systems
Network systems include all your IT components, including internet connectivity, file sharing via the cloud, network enablement, and security measures.
Communication between these parts must flow smoothly and safely, and there are three main ways to achieve this, i.e.:
- Improved network security
- Cloud computing
- Increased segmentation, including VLANs and ACLs
Hardware Assets
You should ignore your hardware until it malfunctions. Look carefully at your current assets and research how to upgrade them to improve productivity.
Substandard monitors, Ethernet cables, keyboards, and switches can have a small yet impactful effect on the smooth operations of daily tasks.
The above aspects are simple fixes, but other hardware upgrades require more planning.
For instance, switching from the cloud to external servers means you’ll need to determine which configuration works best, how much bandwidth you’ll need, and where to keep your server.
In some cases, switching from desktop computers to laptops with docking stations might make sense. This requires considerable planning and investment.
Software Innovations
It’s vital to keep your software updated to the latest standards. Eventually, software providers stop rolling out updates for archaic software, and new versions of programs you need might not work with outdated operating systems.
Bespoke CRM software is another convenience that can reduce the time spent manually entering customer details and sales. Enterprise resource planning software helps increase efficiency in resources and time, helping your business run more efficiently.
New user interfaces, apps, computer programs, and operating systems considerably impact your employees and operations. They can result in a massive surge in productivity with few risks.
One of the main risks is the time associated with switching to new software and training your employees on how to use it.
Web Development
Nowadays, most consumers start their search for goods and services online. So, if you still need a business website, you’ve already fallen behind.
If you do, your website’s functionality, security, design, and interface all impact whether these customers engage with you for their needs.
The IT infrastructure necessary to keep your website at its best depends on your business needs, but these are some basic things to keep tabs on.
- The functionality of your online shopping system
- Online booking systems for services
- Explicit descriptions of your services
- Synchronization between your software and website
- The user-friendliness of your site
Modern technologies like chatbots and personalized AI-powered recommendations can help improve how your customers interact with your site.
Primary Considerations When Upgrading These Systems
As you analyze each area of your IT infrastructure and choose improvements, keeping two things in mind is essential. These are:
Benefits and Risks
Consider how your amendments might affect your clients, your business as a whole, and the operations of each department.
Discussing these aspects with the relevant employees and your IT team is best. Their input can help you determine the outcomes of a potential project versus the likely results if you don’t embark on your proposed changes.
Costs Associated With the Project
To determine a project’s financial impact, you must consider three things. These are the system’s initial, implementation, and maintenance costs.
Remember to consider the time costs involved in setting up, maintaining, and learning these new systems.
Stay Up to Speed With IT Strategies
According to architecture-center.com, hiring an enterprise consultancy service is crucial for bringing your IT systems in line with globally recognized standards.
These include the basics of IT management, as follows:
Structured IT Architecture
Your systems must have a clear structure providing directions for hardware, application, and software installation, integrations, and maintenance. It would help if you had concrete disaster recovery protocols in place too.
If you have a limited in-house capacity, outsourcing some or all of these responsibilities to a suitably qualified vendor is always a good idea.
Extensive Backup Systems
Data backups are your first defense against security breaches and data corruption. So, it’s vital to back up your data regularly and maintain reports on these backups.
Onsite Data Storage
The cloud is great for remote work and collaboration, but nothing beats in-house data storage during an internet outage. Onsite storage provides a durable and stable solution in these instances.
Some cloud services can’t keep up with your bandwidth requirements as your company grows, so keep onsite data storage in mind while adjusting your IT infrastructure.
Future-Proof Your IT Infrastructure
All these aspects must have the ability to scale upward as your business advances. Your business will only advance if your systems expand easily and quickly.
So, keep this in mind as you plan and implement a robust architecture that can move with the times. Possibilities to consider in your future planning include:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Automation
- Big Data
- Custom Algorithms
- Machine Learning
You might never need these state-of-the-art improvements, but if you do, you’ll save time and money by planning for them now.
Better Business Management With IT
Are you inspired to get your IT infrastructure up and running at its best? Getting the necessary projects underway might take some time and money, but the results are almost guaranteed to make it all worthwhile.
With the conveniences of technology, your business made it this far. Imagine what you can achieve with the latest IT advancements under your belt.
Would you like more guidance on how tech can help your business grow and thrive in modern times? Browse our technology section for the latest news.