2019 is going to be an exciting year in the world of technology. Artificial Intelligence will permeate our working lives in new and interesting ways, particularly with the continuing rise of the chatbots. Machine learning will be utilised in internet security to make security methods more active. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality will become more mainstream as the cost of headsets reduces. VR and AR uses will include staff training. 5G will start to become available with the first handsets planned for quarter 1 of this year.
Whilst this new technology is fantastic it will take time to filter down to small and medium sized businesses. So if embracing the very latest in technology isn’t going to be the main issue for your business then what are the main IT challenges facing small business in 2019?
We’ve listed our top 10 IT challenges facing small business in 2019 and over the coming weeks will go through the list with some hints and tips to meet these challenges head on. Let’s make 2019 the year you get your IT sorted!
The top 10 IT challenges facing small business in 2019
Integration issues
You want to embrace new technologies but you’re not sure if they will ‘play nicely’ with what you’ve got.
Backup and disaster recovery challenges
It’s still a huge issue for many small businesses. There are a plethora of different options and price points but that’s part of the problem. Which one is actually right for your business?
Security risks
GDPR brought IT data security into focus last year, but security is a huge, complex and potentially expensive issue. However, simply taking the most basic of steps can mean that the opportunist goes ‘next door’.
Waiting until something breaks
IT is reasonably robust and reliable. Of course the time that it breaks is the time when you really need it. Getting immediate, reliable, cost effective help for a breakdown is next to impossible.
Root causes are not uncovered or resolved
Even if you can get an immediate repair for your breakdown then it’s likely to be sticking plaster when surgery might well be required. All that happens is you kick the problem down the road.
Scaling of IT as the business grows
That new contract is great news and your going to need some more staff, but can your server handle more users? Then there are licensing issues, new laptops and printers. Plus, you need to think about whether the broadband will cope with the all the new traffic.
Rapid rate of change
AI, VR, Cloud, Software-as-a-Service, Hardware-as-a-Service, 5G, Blockchain, Self-driving cars, folding mobile phone screens, the internet of things (IoT) – they are all here already or coming soon, so how do you keep up? And, do you actually need to? How do you sort out what’s going to impact your business and what’s not?
Lack of skilled employees
All the new technology in the world is no good if your employees don’t know how to use it. But where do you go for good training, where you’re going to get a real return on the investment.
Cost of Technology
External pressures such as Brexit and Trumps tariff on China, coupled with component shortages means that computer prices are about 30% higher than a year ago. However, rumours abound the prices of SSD’s and RAM are about to drop which will mean prices will fall again. Either way replacing, upgrading, or adding to IT infrastructure all costs money.
Frustrated Users
Old, poorly maintained or virus ridden desktops and laptops run slowly and crash frequently. If your staff are reliant on IT to perform their everyday work they will get increasingly frustrated with equipment that doesn’t work. According to a study by Dell as many as 1 in 5 employees would consider leaving if the technology is not up to scratch where they work.
How you can overcome the top 10 IT challenges facing small business in 2019
The easiest way is to outsource your IT to an external IT provider and let them work with you to help overcome the top 10 challenges facing small business in 2019. For example, our fully managed service includes anti-virus, email filtering, and backup as standard. Proactive support means that we monitor and maintain systems, stopping breakdowns from occurring and removing and resolving root causes – stop reoccurring issues and keeping systems in tip top condition. We’ll also work on an IT roadmap so you can be well prepared for change. We’ll even help with costs with hardware-as-a-service and flexible financing.
If you are ready for fully managed support, or would like to find out a bit more about how it might help your business, then please call us today on 0115 8220200 or fill in the contact form.
Over the next few weeks we’ll also be telling you some of the simple ways that you can tackle some of the top 10 IT challenges facing small business in 2019 yourselves. Are you looking for IT support for your small business?
