)Planning Ahead
At BizWiseIT, our main priority is to advise, help, and guide our clients, whether fixing a problem, providing a web design solution, or installing new equipment and cabling.
We often find businesses only want to spend money on their IT infrastructure when they're forced to, when something has gone wrong, or when it's absolutely necessary. However, it's vital to include IT in your business planning process and budgets.
To avoid unnecessary expense and downtime, we believe there are some critical investments that every business should make.
Hardware
IT hardware should last at least three to five years. There's no point in purchasing hardware based on your current requirements. You need to look beyond that, and when it comes time to replace your desktops, laptops, servers, and networking hardware, look at least three years into the future.
Backup Software
Back it up or lose it! We've seen hard drives last for 16 years and 16 hours! When you're faced with a crashed server, and your clients are calling you for information, you will wish you had a backup solution. Having the ability to recover data from a crashed server will save you a lot of money and stress in the long run!
Stable Internet Connection
Don't cut corners and run a consumer-grade Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) for your business. Not only will your work be slow, but it could quickly come to a halt. Don't compromise, and let something as simple as a slow internet connection interfere with your day-to-day operations.
Router and Firewall
If you're relying on a free router or the Windows desktop or server firewall to protect you, you may be disappointed. Security needs to be taken seriously and not scrimped on. Built-in security is acceptable to a degree, but it's not enough for a business. We recommend hardware solutions such as Cisco, DrayTek or SonicWall. They provide a secure, flexible and reliable solution.
Website Capabilities
First impressions count, so ensure your website stands out online. If you don't already have a website to showcase your business, it's essential to create one!
If your online presence includes e-commerce, investing in a robust e-commerce platform is crucial. Something that provides a seamless shopping experience for your customers, supports various payment options, and provides the security necessary for handling transactions is essential.
Business-Class Printers
Investing in a business-class printer will pay for itself in the long term. Consumer-grade options don't have the longevity to withstand business-level usage and won't usually provide the features a business needs to be able to print effectively.
Be Mobile
A typical 9-to-5 working week has evolved, particularly over the past few years. Now, more employees are working remotely, so your business needs to be mobile to allow this. Invest in VPN setups and quality equipment so that people aren't tied to the office.
IT Support
Whether you outsource or purchase support for software, IT support is essential. Treat it as a fundamental part of your business, and don't cut costs. Find an IT partner who is an integral part of your business and provides support when it's required. View it like an insurance policy!
We have witnessed several scenarios where a business has relied on a "mate's mate" to fix a broken computer or a crashed server. They find themselves out of their depth and disappear without any solution, documentation, or admin passwords. The cost of trying to resolve the issue and bringing in professional IT support at that point is far more expensive than investing in an IT contract from the start.
Think wisely, and choose BizWise IT as your IT business partner. We provide support for many industry types and local businesses across Crawley, Gatwick, and the West Sussex region.
