Is Your IT Network Ready for the New Year?
It’s the first day of the New Year! It’s a mental reset to refocus on any lingering challenges from 2024 and gear up for a successful 2025. Your team is refreshed, your goals are set, and your strategy for business growth is ready to roll. But amidst all this planning, have you considered the state of your IT network? Is it positioned to support your ambitions, or could it be holding you back?
Let's Talk About Your Current IT Setup
Your IT network, much like your business strategy, is a dynamic entity. It requires regular attention and updates to ensure its functioning optimally and should never be approached with a set it and forget it mentality. So, whether you have an existing IT provider, an internal team, or no dedicated IT resources at all, a network assessment can provide the insights needed to ensure it is continuously improving.
You may fall into three scenarios: you already have an existing IT; you have internal resources focused on these efforts or you have nothing in place at all.
Scenario #1: You Have an Existing IT Provider
If you already have an IT provider, that’s a great start! Even if you’re satisfied with their service, it’s wise to get a second opinion. A fresh set of eyes can confirm that your provider is delivering on their promises or reveal areas where they might be falling short. For instance, are they performing regular backups, deactivating former employees’ accounts, and enforcing multi-factor authentication? A network assessment can uncover these critical details.
Scenario #2: You Internal IT Team
For those with an internal IT team, the size of your team matters. If you have just one or two people handling all IT responsibilities, they might not be able to cover every aspect of a secure infrastructure. Even larger teams can benefit from an external perspective to identify gaps and areas for improvement. Outsourcing certain tasks to a managed IT provider can enhance efficiency and allow your team to focus on core business functions.
We’ve encountered businesses that transitioned to managing their IT in-house due to poor service and lack of trust in their previous providers, believing they would gain improved control and transparency. However, they often find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer complexity and workload required to manage an entire network effectively. Partnering with the right managed IT provider can streamline these efforts, making it efficient to outsource specific aspects of network management. A network assessment can help identify gaps where your team may lack the bandwidth or expertise, providing the insights needed to make informed outsourcing decisions.
Scenario #3: No Dedicated IT Resources
If you lack dedicated IT resources, you might be relying on a tech-savvy employee to handle issues as they arise. When a random issue arises they are the one being bombarded by other employees to figure out what has gone wrong rather than doing the job you hired them to do. In this scenario you may have no idea what you have setup for a network or maybe you’ve pieced things together. This approach can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities for optimization. Conducting a network assessment can establish a baseline and highlight areas that need attention, ensuring your network supports your business goals
Here’s the reality: Any of these approaches could be costing you money.
The Symptoms of an Inefficient Network
You may not realize that your network isn’t setup properly, some symptoms may not have a direct symptom until there is a crisis situation like a data breach or ransomware attack, but here are few common day to day indicators:
- Slow Internet Speeds
- Frequent Downtime
- Dropped Teams or Zoom Calls
- Delayed File Transfers
- Unhappy Employees and or Customers
The Hidden Costs Hurting Your Bottom Line
Aside from the fatigue from the day-to-day symptoms of an inefficient network, overall here is how it could be costing you money.
- Productivity Losses
- An inefficient network slows down day-to-day operations. Employees waste valuable time waiting for systems to load, respond, or process information. Over time, these delays add up to significant productivity losses. For example, if each employee loses just 10 minutes a day due to slow systems, a company with 50 employees could lose over 200 hours of productivity every month.
- Decreased Revenue
A poorly functioning IT setup can lead to missed sales opportunities. Delayed responses to customer inquiries, slow processing of orders, or dropped video calls during key conversations can harm your reputation and directly impact your bottom line. In a competitive market, businesses with efficient networks are more likely to respond quickly and win new opportunities.
- Increased IT Costs
- Operating on a patchwork network leads to higher costs over time. Emergency repairs, quick fixes, and temporary workarounds may seem like solutions in the moment, but they don’t address the root cause of the problem. These recurring expenses quickly add up, leaving your IT budget strained without delivering long-term improvements. Investing in proactive network management can save significant costs in the long run.
- Customer Dissatisfaction
- A poor network impacts internal operations and your customers. Delayed responses, slow websites, and service disruptions lead to frustration and erode trust. Customers expect seamless interactions, and repeated network issues can push them toward competitors who provide a more reliable experience. This loss of customer loyalty directly translates to lost revenue and reduced lifetime value.
- Security Risks
- Inefficient networks are a magnet for cyber threats. Outdated infrastructure and mismanaged systems create vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. According to IBM, delaying IT network assessments has led to a 50% increase in security incidents among IT leaders. These breaches can result in costly downtime, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties. Proactive assessments and updates are essential to staying ahead of evolving threats and safeguarding sensitive data.
Long Term Effects of Neglecting Your IT Setup
Letting a poor IT setup go unchecked can lead to a range of unfavorable outcomes that directly impact your business’s long term performance, including:
Eroded Employee Morale
Employees rely on efficient systems to do their jobs effectively. Slow networks, frequent downtime, or recurring issues can lead to frustration, decreased motivation, and even burnout. When employees feel hindered by outdated or unreliable technology, their overall job satisfaction and engagement take a hit, which can result in higher turnover rates and a less productive workforce.Competitive Disadvantage
In today’s fast-paced business environment, technology plays a critical role in maintaining a competitive edge. A poor IT setup can slow down your ability to innovate, delay responses to customer needs, and even prevent you from adopting cutting-edge tools and processes. Competitors with optimized networks and forward-looking IT strategies will leave you behind, capturing market opportunities that your business may miss.Higher Future Costs
Neglecting IT maintenance or upgrades may seem like a cost-saving measure in the short term, but it often leads to more expensive consequences down the road. Emergency fixes, patchwork solutions, and unexpected downtime can quickly drain resources. Additionally, upgrading from an outdated system often requires more extensive overhauls, making it both time-consuming and costly. Proactive investment in IT today can save significant expenses tomorrow.
Ready to review your IT setup?
After reviewing the scenarios above, which category best describes your current IT setup? No matter where you stand, a network assessment is the perfect way to start 2025 on the right foot.
At Prime Secured, we offer a complimentary network assessment with no obligation to commit. Our goal is simple: to provide you with the insights and information you need for a successful and secure 2025.
Want to dive deeper into the benefits of a network assessment? Check out Network Assessments: The Why, What, & How to Identify Weaknesses
