We all know technology changes at a much more rapid succession these days. It seems that every time we see the calendar indicating a new year, there seems to be a new gadget to buy or digital trend to master. Many IT professionals will tell you that if you do not have the latest version or upgrade the software you may become antiquated or obsolete before you know it. As a business owner or representative of a company it is imperative to understand what equipment and systems to understand and what is just going to waste your hard-earned dollars.
Information technology is integral to most businesses today, but keeping up with the “Digital Joneses” is easier said than done. From software to cyber security to social media platforms – there seems to be a lot of ground to cover. IT experts say companies falling behind in their technology sector have seen and will continue to see their business slip as a result.
Over the last several years, many IT practices that have been extremely expensive in the past for small businesses have become much more affordable. The price point now allows for companies and small businesses to have the benefits of a large IT department without the cost.
5 IT practices businesses should stop:
OUTDATED SOFTWARE – One of the biggest security vulnerabilities a company can face is one of the simplest to address: outdated software. “As a cybersecurity professional, I warn clients about the risk of hackers. Many small business thinks nobody wants my information, however, a business line-of-credit is one of the biggest targets,” Pritchett says. “Then there are the inevitable problems of a system failure or outdated workflows that slow a company’s productivity. Although upgrading software – including your operating systems – can be thought as time-consuming and expensive, innovative measures can be taken to eliminate large costs.”
IN-HOUSE SERVERS – Much of today’s modern software is hosted in the cloud. “Almost all vendors are able to provide public, private or hybrid cloud hosting based on your requirements,” Pritchett says. “With cloud computing practices in place your team can have access from anywhere. Plus, the added security that your important information is secure in the event of theft, natural disaster, etc.”
INFLEXIBLE WORK ENVIRONMENT – The new wave of the workforce is an IT strategy that includes video cameras and laptops for team members to facilitate remote work and remote communications. “If your firm doesn’t have that flexibility, they risk being left behind,” Pritchett points out. Flexible work arrangements improve a company’s effectiveness and morale. It’s one of the best uses of today’s IT. Many companies that run at top-level efficiency are able to combine the personal touch of face-to-face and the efficiency of video conference.
OUTDATED WEBSITES – These popular mediums once were spread as the must have of any new business in the 21st Century, however, simply possessing a website is not enough anymore. “Your website is your digital business card and if it is outdated, filled with wrong information, or just boring you are not going to communicate to your customers. Some many people access or use their mobile devices for everything now, that if your website is not ‘mobile friendly’ it literally kills your return on investment.”
SOCIAL MEDIA – The same way that businesses were told that they needed a website, many business owners are being told that they have to be on all social media platforms. The issue is that many people are creating these channels for their business & they are not converting them to clients. “One of the major reason why I love helping small businesses is that most do not have a marketing team to handle all of their digital content. I have been educated and paid by large companies to find the most effective means of using these digital trends,” Pritchett says. “When modernizing your online presence, less is more in terms of both architecture and functionality. You can start by implementing only the most important features that work for your industry. Remember business is not cookie-cutter and anybody that sells you on having all the answers is mistaken.”
About Joshua B. Pritchett
Joshua B. Pritchett is the Managing Partner of READY•SET•GO, a consulting firm that specializes in IT solutions for corporations, non-profits, and small businesses. Mr. Pritchett has been educated in IT from an early age in technology magnet schools to his tenure at The University of Texas – Dallas (top 10 National School for IT). He has climbed the professional ladder in Online Businesses, Digital Marketing, Cybersecurity, and advanced IT Solutions. READY•SET•GO was founded in 2014 and has given some major corporations the professional problem-solving solutions they pursue. As the only GOOGLE Premiere Partner in Galveston County, the company has initiated to give large-scale solutions and support to small businesses that can’t afford their own in-house IT department.
