As businesses are becoming more reliant on technology, a strong IT infrastructure is now essential for success. Resisting investing in effective IT support could severely limit your organisation. The first step towards transforming your IT systems is understanding the most common technology challenges faced by SMEs. In this blog, we’ll outline some of the most frequent issues faced by SMEs, and how working with an outsourced IT provider can help you to overcome them.
Challenge #1: IT Costs
There are several expenses associated with technology, including the costs of maintaining internal IT teams, adopting new solutions or upgrading outdated hardware. These potential costs can be overwhelming for SMEs, as they lack the resources and budgets of larger businesses. Working with an outsourced IT support team can help you to overcome this challenge. Not only will you cut the cost of maintaining an internal team but, as most outsourced IT teams work for a fixed monthly fee, you will be able to plan your IT budget well in advance. Not to mention, the improvement in your IT systems will be profitable for your business in the long run.
Challenge #2: Cyber Security Threats
The cyber security landscape is always evolving. As businesses have become more reliant on technology, cyber criminals have been presented with an opportunity to exploit their vulnerabilities. In fact, since the beginning of the pandemic, cyber crime has increased by 600%. Despite being the most at risk of a cyber attack, most SMEs are not prepared to defend themselves. This can be attributed to insufficient cyber security strategies, untrained employees and outdated IT systems.
As most SMEs go out of business within six months of a cyber attack, you must tackle this technology challenge head on. By working with the right outsourced IT support provider, you can establish effective protection. If your business needs expert cyber security assistance, MTS IT can guide you through strengthening your cyber security systems.
Challenge #3: Adopting New Technologies
The technology space is continually changing and presenting new IT solutions for businesses to take advantage of. For instance, in the era of hybrid working, businesses have rapidly increased their adoption of cloud computing technologies and communications platforms like Microsoft Teams. In the modern business environment, harnessing the power of technology is essential for growth. While SMEs need to implement the latest technology solutions, without an extensive IT budget or specialist expertise, this can be a significant challenge. However, if your business cannot keep abreast of these changes, you risk limiting both your everyday functionality and your growth potential. An outsourced IT support partner, like MTS IT, provides you with the necessary expertise to stay informed about the latest technology updates.
Challenge #4: Limited IT Strategy
As your IT is an integral part of your business, you must create and implement a strategic roadmap. If business owners are disengaged from the decision making process, then this can create a significant technology challenge. An outsourced IT support partner with technology consulting services can provide clarity and direction for your technical strategy. This will help to prepare your business for future challenges and support you as you scale.
Challenge #5: Backup and Disaster Recovery
Your data is one of the most valuable assets your business has. If that data is lost, it could have devastating effects on your reputation, your operations and your bottom line. Therefore, you must create a reliable disaster recovery plan. While this might appear to be a complex or overwhelming task, with the support of an outsourced IT provider, implementing an effective backup and disaster recovery strategy will be a breeze.
If you need assistance overcoming any of these technology challenges, or would like to optimise your IT infrastructure, get in touch with MTS IT today.
