Your technology is integral to your company’s successful operations. In order to compete effectively in today’s marketplace, you need an IT system that is reliable, efficient, and secure – and an IT provider that can offer effective solutions to support your evolving business objectives. Here are five signs that it may be time to change IT providers.
Frequent IT Issues
When an IT system runs slowly or is down an excessive amount of time, a company’s productivity takes a hit and client service suffers. Many IT issues can be prevented with proactive system maintenance and regular hardware and software updates. A good provider will monitor your system around the clock to identify and fix small issues before they become big problems while ensuring your system is up at least 99.99% of the time. If you are unsatisfied with your system’s speed or uptime, it may be time to change providers.
Unsatisfactory Support
When IT issues do pop up, how long does it take your provider’s technical support team to respond to and fix the problem? Not all IT helpdesks are created equally. The best providers combine a deep bench of knowledgeable professionals with a fanatical culture of customer service. This translates to rapid response times while ensuring that virtually all issues are resolved expediently to minimize workflow interruption. If you are not getting that from your provider, it may be time to look elsewhere.
Inefficient, Overlapping Systems
A well-designed IT system that aligns with your operations is key to ensuring that you operate efficiently and remain competitive. A good IT provider will take the time to understand how your company works and what your goals are, and suggest tools, applications, and other solutions to allow you to meet your objectives. An ideal partner will have deep knowledge about a wide range of products that can enhance your operations, from industry-specific software to automating tools.
Concerns about Cybersecurity
As cyber attacks continue to escalate in terms of sophistication and cost, cybersecurity must be integral to everything your IT partner does. Your IT provider must have deep expertise in all facets of cybersecurity, including how to tackle new and emerging threats. Cyber criminals are increasingly using AI to magnify the impact of their attacks, and your provider must employ AI-enabled defensive solutions as part of a multi-faceted approach to safeguard your system. Your provider’s comprehensive security services should include a full complement of defensive measures. Secure DNS, anti-virus and anti-malware software, patch updates, 24x7x365 security monitoring, strong password policies with multi-factor authentication (MFA), and security audits are all important components of a multi-pronged security approach. If your provider’s security measures are lacking, it may be time for a change.
Inability to Work Productively When Remote
The pandemic caused a widespread transition to hybrid and remote workplaces. Depending on the adaptability of their IT systems, companies have had varying success in implementing productive hybrid/remote models. If your technology does not allow your team to work as efficiently and securely outside the office as they can inside – with seamless access to all their applications, files, and data from anywhere – it may be time for a system overhaul. A good provider can work with you to incorporate optimal solutions – including cloud-based applications, communication and collaboration tools, and state-of-the-art security features – to ensure your team is as productive at home as they are in the office.
Central Business Systems is a one-stop shop for all business technology needs, which has been serving businesses throughout the New York metropolitan area for more than 75 years. To learn more about how our state-of-the-art IT solutions can make your company’s operations more efficient and secure, contact us.