Rare is the business nowadays that doesn’t have some need for a bit of technological support. But when you decide that you really need a proper system to get all your employees connected and working more efficiently, it takes a lot more thought. You need to make sure you have all the preparations that will stop those digital devices from being more hindrance than help.
The costs
There’s no doubt that it’s definitely a cost to bring in a new slew of digital devices as well as supporting a network between them all. But there’s a lot you can do to stop those costs from running away from you. For instance, make sure you have power-saving settings for each and every device. As for software, don’t be afraid to use some of the great free tools out there. An internal mail system, for instance, can be both more expensive and a lot more of a hassle than getting the team on Gmail.
The training
One of the costs that is essential is the cost of getting everyone up-to-speed with the new tools they’re using. You don’t have to get rid of your less technically literate teams. Instead, focus on introducing an environment of cross-training and on-the-job learning that can invest in them skills that will help them throughout their career. Not only will you help them thrive in the new environment, but it’s great for building employee loyalty when you show that you’re willing to invest in them.
The workflow
Introducing too many changes at once and not giving people the right tools can make computers a barrier to productivity, rather than a step towards it. You should help people source the tools that let them work smarter, not harder. From time management software to scheduling tools that allow people to batch their emails together rather than having to interrupt work to get back to them time and again, there are a lot of ways to get better organized with tech.
The upkeep
If you want an internal system that people can easily access and share resources and tools through, then you’re going to need to consider IT support. You need a team that can thoroughly assess your needs, from preventing downtime to having a backup plan to ensure you don’t lose data. Without the proper eye on keeping things running smoothly, your business will get interrupted time and time again.
The security
Not all problems are simple errors, either. There are plenty of virtual threats to any business worth keeping an eye out for. A good support team is going to help you find the ways of plugging up the vulnerabilities in your system as well as protecting it from the legions of malware out there. But you should be looking at how you handle matters of security internally, as well. Teaching proper password security, the importance of using internal accounts only for work matters, and careful internet usage can create a more security-minded team.
The benefits that a proper approach to IT in the business can have should go without saying by now. Less human error, a more productive team, a more cost-effective way of filing, communicating and doing almost anything in the business. Don’t let the challenges scare you from making your business tech-powered.
The Coder Chick 