In the business world we always hear sayings like “staying lean” and “keeping it in house”. These phrases and so many more all have the same message – keep your costs low and use as little of your resources as possible. It’s key for the growth and success of a company.
One of the big areas kept in house is IT. The IT department is non-existent at most small businesses, with any employee who has a little technical knowledge being given the job of handling IT issues. Sometimes it’s the owners themselves who deal with any computer related situations.
That isn’t always the best option. Sometimes it’s safer to go with a professional consultant and there are a bunch of reasons why.
- Improved Security
Cyber security is extremely important for any business – don’t underestimate it! Insurance company Hiscox has found that only around 30% of American businesses have advanced cyber-security. The rest are falling short of the mark and could be vulnerable to attacks – with around half of them having been targeted already at some point.
Hiring a professional ensures that you have a good level of security. A consultant can identify weaknesses and advise on how to secure them. Consultants are highly skilled in their field, so they can spot things an in-house worker wouldn’t. An in-house worker has other jobs to do as well, limiting the attention they can pay to security. That’s not the case with a consultant.
- Your Network Will be Professionally Maintained
Having an expert IT consultant means your network can be maintained and upgraded easily. With the use of network monitoring software, a consultant can identify problems before they happen and sort them out. They can identify weaker areas of your network and systems that would benefit from being updated, so you’re always ahead of the curve.
- Improve Efficiency
The efficiency of your business can improve too. With a consultant on the team and good monitoring software, you can identify any bottlenecks in your processes. You can also see which areas are limiting you most and work to improve those sectors.
- Low Costs
Most people don’t realise how cheap it can be to hire an IT consultant. If you need a full time, in-house employee then it can cost a decent chunk of cash, but if you genuinely need a full time consultant, the cost is probably worth it. In the long run, it’s more economical to have a good IT employee because they can make your business more efficient and also give your network great reliability and flexibility. This all translates into more business, more opportunities, and hopefully more profit. Think of it like this – if your network is down you’re losing money. With a professional consultant, you’re safe from it going down and even from cyber attacks, so you’re always operational.
- Improved Experience For Your Customers
IT consultants are able to work with all sorts of tools to help your business. From network monitoring software to AI programs, there’s a lot of options available. AI is a popular one because it can lower the workload whilst improving customer experience and a more organized customer service department.