Benefit #7: Reduce Downtime
When you are running a small business, you need to count on the fact that your IT network will work the way you need it to. Even a few minutes of downtime when you can't access the internet, communicate by email, access data on a server, or experience another issue can cost your company big money. The best way to avoid the costs of an offline IT network and guarantee reduced downtime is to ensure that it is stable.
Generally, a stable network that has maximum uptime (and minimum downtime) includes the following:
- availability- services are always available when you need them (any downtime should be scheduled for non-business hours that won't impact your company)
- speed- sending and receiving email, saving and printing files should be quick
- protection- a good firewall is in place to protect against internet attacks and local antivirus is running
- backups- critical data is automatically copied, stored offsite and easily accessible with minimal administrative maintenance
- dependability- users should not have to deal with alarms, pop-ups, application errors or red lights on workstations, laptops and servers
- usability- users experience increased productivity when using technology
- expandability- it should be easy to add users, machines, applications and services to the IT network
- compatibility- applications work together properly, allowing users to combine data with multimedia and connect business applications with network appliances
Unfortunately, ensuring that your IT environment has reduced downtime can be difficult for your in-house tech team to maintain. Trying to create a stable IT environment with maximum uptime requires staff with the expert skills and knowledge to make all of your company's network's applications and appliances work together and that can take more time, energy and money than your business can afford. Instead, consider outsourcing with an IT consulting firm such as TMS.
When your outsource your IT environment support with an IT consulting firm, you hire a team of professionals with expert level knowledge based on up-to-date best practices that are available to fortune 500 companies, but scaled down to meet your small business needs with a price tag that won't break your small business budget. Outsource technology providers can offer your company planned, measured approaches to proactive systems maintenance, security backup and disaster recovery that will help ensure reduced downtime. IT outsourcing firms can also provide your small business with remote systems monitoring and 24/7 incident response to ensure that, in the case of unplanned downtime, your systems will be restored as soon as possible. Partnering with an IT consulting firm like TMS gives your company an affordable way to build a stable IT network which will save your company money and reduce your IT network's downtime.