Time to Standardise your IT?
Picture a bog-standard office, if you will. Or, if you're reading this in one, you can probably just take a look around you - unless you're based in one of those cool, Shoreditch-type ping-pong-loving, beanbag-owning offices.
For those working in a regular, non-Shoreditch type of organisation - pay attention to what's on every desk, in personal offices or cubicles. If you're seeing a mishmash of computers, laptops, tablets or other hardware (and software when you log in!), it may be time to talk about standardising your systems.
Standardising is not a new or radical concept by any means, but it can make all the difference. All too often, SMEs don't attempt to create a standardised IT infrastructure for one reason only: they believe it's out of their reach. We're here to let you know that it isn't - and can even help set you apart from your competition.
2024 IT Hardware Budget Plans
It's estimated this year that small businesses will spend 24% of their IT budgets on hardware alone, while mid-sized organisations will spend 19%, and enterprises will spend 16%.
After all, doing so makes sense on several levels. Businesses want to keep costs down and focus any and all spending on improving their product - not on technology - without feeling like they're burning money to keep up with the competition.
Why does it matter?
For any customer-facing business, experiences matter. A lot.
A large part of what shapes your interaction is predominantly defined by the product your organisation offers. Are you a restaurant? They'll judge you by your food. A bar? Your drinks. Of course, you don't need us to teach you that.
It doesn't matter if you're an independent hotel, a local pub, a chic new cocktail bar or a high-street fast-food chain. Your business relies on technology. If your organisation deals with 1000 people a day or 1000 people an hour, there is a consistent demand for an IT ecosystem that is manageable, affordable and fit for purpose.
A large part of your business experience is shaped by the staff you employ. But, by putting in unreliable POS systems, faulty phone lines or internet lines that aren't fit for purpose, you could be setting yourself up to fail - and we're already in the midst of a brutal time for millions of businesses.
Standardising your IT means that staff are less likely to get frustrated with operating the tills, card machines work fine and, if you have multiple branches, checking monthly figures for your venues may prove to be considerably easier.
How Can I Standardise My Business?
Just how vital a reliable and cost-effective IT system is cannot be understated.
Reliable IT systems can play a critical role in every enterprise, which is especially relevant given how technology has deeply entrenched itself into every business organisation in recent times.
Attitudes towards the sector have also shifted recently. Not long ago, the industry was thought of as being dominated by guys operating in poorly lit rooms, but IT is now starting to feature in board-level discussions. It's clear that it also contributes to customer-facing applications and processes, can improve collaboration and communication, and even leads to new sources of income.
So, as your business adapts to the rigours of modern times, ensure that your IT network competently responds to business needs. Standardising your IT infrastructure is the easiest way to do this.
Standardising IT infrastructure does not follow a one-size-fits-all plan. If your enterprise chooses to do so, how far your standardisation efforts can go typically depends on your existing IT network and business needs. Once you have a clear picture of these, finding a Managed Service Provider (MSP) can be invaluable. (Remember our 'Don't try and be the Expert!' blog?)
MSPs can bring IT expertise to businesses that may not otherwise be able to employ a dedicated team of IT staff. Because the MSP helps oversee the IT infrastructure, they perform a vital service that's more than just fixing issues. Procurement services can be invaluable in equipment purchases; your system is monitored round the clock, and small businesses can find ways to streamline their processes.
As you evaluate your options for standardisation, it's worth remembering that, at its ideal level, utilising standard IT infrastructure across an organisation brings many advantages. Not only can it help with scalability, repeatability, reliability, and cost optimisation, but it can help set you apart from competitors.
The Benefits
As businesses grow, IT systems must evolve to meet new business activities and challenges. However, as newer technologies and processes emerge, these systems can quickly become inefficient, outdated, and expensive to manage, which is why standardising your IT infrastructure is beneficial.
Although the extent of the standardisation possible will depend on individual circumstances – industry, company size and budget, for example – many benefits exist across the board. Our team has put together a list of the seven most relevant benefits:
Remotely troubleshoot common problems
Monitor your system for known issues
Resolve issues faster
Release updates to systems and software on a specific - and regular - schedule
Provide rapid response in a disaster recovery scenario
Keep your costs down
Help to suggest improvements and upgrades where needed
The Last Word
Opening our doors in October 2001, Fifosys has been here to support organisations in numerous sectors over the last two decades. Helping organisations to reach their potential has been a fundamental part of our work, with recent evidence seen in our Comptoir Group case study. We've also helped organisations such as Meantime Brewery standardise systems ahead of a multi-million-pound takeover from Asahi - and we'd love to help you!
Get in touch with our team for an introduction to Fifosys and to hear how we can transform your business.