How to Revive Your Neglected IT Strategy and Get Back On Track

IT Consulting IT Planning & Recovery

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by - December 19, 2023

In today’s fast-paced digital world, technology is the driving force behind organizational success. A well thought out IT strategy can be a game-changer, propelling your business to new heights. Conversely, neglecting your IT systems for too long can be a costly mistake, leading to a host of problems, from security vulnerabilities to operational inefficiencies. The good news is that it’s never too late to turn things around.

Here’s how to revitalize your IT strategy and get back on the right track.

Assess Your Current IT Landscape

The first step in reviving your neglected IT is to conduct a comprehensive assessment. Take a hard look at your existing IT strategy–infrastructure, software, hardware, and documentation. What’s working, and what isn’t? Where have you fallen behind in terms of technology adoption or innovation? Identify areas of weakness, potential security risks, and technical debt. This assessment will serve as the foundation for your IT revitalization plan.

Develop a Clear IT Strategy

Now that you understand the current state of your IT, it’s time to chart a course for the future. First, define both your short-term and long-term objectives. What do you want your IT infrastructure to achieve, and how does it align with your business goals? Next, create a strategic plan that outlines your IT goals, budget, and timeline for improvements. This plan should align with your organization’s overall objectives, ensuring IT supports your business rather than hindering it.

Prioritize Cyber Security

Neglected IT systems are often vulnerable to security threats. Start by assessing and shoring up your security measures. This includes updating software, implementing strong passwords and two-factor authentication, and educating your employees about cybersecurity best practices. Consider bringing in a security expert to perform a thorough audit and make recommendations.

Upgrade and Modernize

Outdated hardware and software can slow down your operations and hinder productivity. Prioritize replacing systems that are outdated and eliminating those that no longer serve your organization’s needs. Determine which technologies will help your business operate, encourage innovation, and drive growth, and allocate resources to modernize your IT infrastructure. Invest in technologies that will streamline operations and empower employees, boosting both efficiency and effectiveness. This may include migrating to cloud-based solutions, mobile technologies, virtualizing servers, or updating legacy applications. 

Implement IT Management Tools

Every area of your organization–from finance to procurement to HR–is affected by IT management, and effective management requires the right tools and processes. Start by identifying pain points and inefficiencies so you have a clear idea of what you need from your IT management software. Engage with your stakeholders about what functionalities they would like to see included. Then you’ll be able to research and invest in IT management software that will monitor and maintain your systems effectively. These tools can provide real-time insights, automate routine tasks, and alert you to potential issues before they become critical.

Build a Skilled IT Team

IT neglect is often due to a lack of expertise and/or manpower. For businesses that don’t have the resources or desire to hire a full team of IT professionals, outsourcing IT management can be a cost-effective solution. Consider hiring IT professionals who can either support your internal IT team, or fully manage and maintain your systems, and keep your business safe from cyberattack. 

Backup and Disaster Recovery

Backup and disaster recovery are critical components of IT management for many compelling reasons. Data is often a company’s most valuable asset and losing it can have serious consequences, whether it’s customer files, financial data or intellectual property. A data breach can also erode customer trust and damage your company’s reputation.

Downtime can be costly. When an IT system fails, your business can’t operate effectively. Backup and disaster recovery solutions are designed to minimize downtime and swiftly restore systems, reducing lost productivity and revenue. Whether data loss is due to human error, natural disaster, or hardware or software failure, comprehensive backups allow your business to quickly stabilize, minimizing the impact. 

Don’t wait until data loss or a system failure occurs to recognize the importance of a backup and disaster recovery plan. Establish procedures and test your disaster recovery plan to ensure that your data is secure and recoverable in case of a catastrophic event. There are expenses involved in setting up and maintaining a robust backup and disaster recovery system, but the potential savings in the event of a disaster far outweighs the cost. 

User Training and Support

Your employees are a crucial part of your IT ecosystem. Provide ongoing training to ensure they’re equipped with the right skills, and understand how to use IT resources efficiently and securely. Collaboration and communication across all levels of your organization is essential. Make sure that every department understands the role IT plays in achieving business objectives, and empower your IT professionals to take the lead in executing your strategy. Establish a helpdesk or IT support system to address employee concerns and troubleshoot issues promptly.

Review, Maintain, and Adapt

Reviving your neglected IT strategy is not a one-time effort; it’s an ongoing process. Make sure you schedule regular maintenance and monitoring of your IT infrastructure. Perform updates, patches, and security scans as needed to keep your systems up-to-date and secure. Regularly review your strategy and assess its effectiveness. Stay informed about emerging technologies and trends, and be ready to adapt your IT strategy accordingly. Continuous improvement is essential to avoid falling back into a state of neglect.

Neglected IT systems can be a significant liability, but it doesn’t have to be a permanent setback. By reassessing your strategy, defining clear objectives, prioritizing security and training, and embracing new technology, your organization can get back on the right track. Invest in skilled personnel, a robust backup and disaster recovery plan, and IT management tools or services and you can ensure that your IT infrastructure becomes a valuable asset that furthers your business goals. In the ever-evolving world of technology, adaptation and resilience are key to long-term success. Implement a well thought out IT strategy and watch your organization thrive.

Need help getting your IT strategy back on track? Get in touch with our experienced team or connect with us below to start the conversation.

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How Nessit helped a New Hampshire Engineering Firm Save $200,000 a Year on IT Costs and Increase Productivity 

In the tech world, it’s easy to overlook the human connections that drive successful business relationships. At Nessit, we believe in the power of partnerships. We know that every client is unique and there are no one-size-fits-all solutions when it comes to IT. That’s why we take the time to really get to know our customers, to learn about their current IT issues and long-term goals. We want to understand a business inside and out before we propose a solution. 

When a Portsmouth, NH engineering firm approached us in late 2022, they had 50 employees and were spending roughly $500,000 annually on their IT. They were unhappy with their current managed service provider, and the systems they had in place weren’t compatible with their organization’s workflow. It was clear to us that a deeper dive into their operations was needed, and a thorough audit confirmed that they were spending far too much on IT. We learned that their previous provider had steered them toward a full migration to the cloud, a cookie cutter approach that isn’t right for every business. Their cloud infrastructure was set up to mirror a traditional office model, which proved ineffective and inefficient. Their work required a very specific approach to IT systems, and we knew that to come up with a solution we had to ask the right questions and get creative. 

We began with an in-depth conversation to understand the challenges they were facing, from both an employee and a management standpoint. This helped us uncover several ways we could help them improve productivity while reducing their spending on tech. This client uses engineering-specific software that allows multiple employees to access and work on the same files and drawings at the same time. These massive files include “parent” files that link to hundreds of other dependencies, which we’ll call “child” files, that pertain to a specific aspect of the project (electrical systems, sprinkler systems, etc.). Their former MSP hadn’t considered file size when setting up the network, and employees were frustrated by the long download times that hampered workflow. 

We also found that some of their existing technology, like project management software, wasn’t being used at all. We recommended that the company purchase engineering grade laptops, and to better leverage their current cloud software including Microsoft 365 which they were already paying for. We worked with them to come up with a more secure, cost-effective storage solution, moving files from an on-prem cold storage server that wasn’t backed up, to SharePoint. Our team reworked the remote management model of future machines, making the onboarding process smoother and faster for new employees. 

The client was also unhappy with the level of customer service they were getting from their provider–a smaller company who had recently been bought out by a large corporation. We assured them that this would never be the case with Nessit. We value personal connections with our clients and cultivate relationships that go beyond the transactional. When our customers get in touch, they already know the person on the other end of the phone. Whether it’s about a technical glitch or a strategic decision, they have a trusted ally ready to offer personalized guidance. 

A commitment to understanding our clients’ unique needs and challenges and designing customized solutions sets Nessit apart. By thinking creatively, we were able to tailor an IT solution that aligned with this engineering firm’s specific needs and goals. As a result of our partnership, the company has been able to save $200,000 a year on technology costs, while at the same time boosting productivity. We were able to leverage, rather than replace, many of their existing tools, and successfully transition to a hybrid model that made more sense for them than the one-size-fits-all fully cloud-based infrastructure. The business has been appreciative of our reliable support, and the peace of mind in knowing we’ll always have their back. We look forward to a long-term partnership and to celebrating their ongoing success. 

For Nessit, IT management is a partnership and our clients’ success is our success. 

If you think your IT could be more cost-effective, structured more efficiently, or you’re looking for better overall support for your team and your business, let’s talk. 

Fully Managed or Co-Managed IT Services: What’s Right for Your Business?

No matter what industry you’re in, effective IT management is critical to your organization’s success. Day-to-day operations hinge on having an accessible, reliable, and secure IT infrastructure. A failure in just one area can have severe repercussions for your business in terms of productivity, profits, or reputation. Achieving peak performance from your IT systems means more than just investing in the latest technology or services. Forward-thinking companies recognize the importance of having a future-proof IT strategy in place, and both co-managed and fully managed IT services can provide an effective solution for your business.  

So what’s the difference between co-managed and fully managed IT?

Having co-managed IT services will complement your company’s existing IT department and shares responsibility for infrastructure management. An effective provider brings expertise and a wide variety of experience with situations that your in-house team may not have been exposed to. In this collaborative model, your provider shares reporting, pre-configured management and automation tools, documentation, and processes that enhance your in-house team. Co-Managed IT is ideal for organizations looking to augment their existing IT capabilities and team, for businesses seeking help with a transition, and those that require more flexible resource allocation.  

A Fully Managed IT service provider assumes all responsibility for managing, monitoring, and maintaining your company’s IT infrastructure, removing the need for an internal IT department. An advantage to Fully Managed IT is that it provides a single point of contact for your business, eliminating the responsibility of maintaining vendor lists, negotiating pricing, and evaluating technical capabilities for hardware and software purchases. With strategic, long-term planning, your service provider will make sure that your technology can scale as your business grows, and that systems are optimized to support your business goals. Ideal for smaller companies, a Fully Managed service allows you to focus on your core business, and cuts the costs associated with employee training, salaries, benefits, and office space. IT expenses are predictable and can be budgeted for with Fully Managed services, reducing costly surprises.  

Shared Benefits of Co-Managed and Fully Managed IT Services

Proactive Maintenance and Updates – Your service provider will ensure that your network and infrastructure are always up to date and that new technology is integrated seamlessly. As a strategic partner, they can offer unbiased advice about technology upgrades and investments to better support your business goals. The service will also take a proactive stance, actively monitoring and addressing potential IT issues before they escalate.  

24/7 Monitoring and Compliance – Around the clock monitoring means problems are identified and resolved promptly, reducing the chance of downtime and lost productivity. A Managed Service provider will implement robust cybersecurity measures and data recovery planning to ensure business continuity in an emergency. For clients operating in industries with data compliance requirements, a provider will make sure standards regarding privacy, reporting, and security are strictly followed.  

With technology evolving at an accelerated pace, effective and efficient IT management is more important than ever. Both Co-Managed and Fully Managed IT offer distinct advantages and the choice depends on your organization’s unique needs, goals, and existing infrastructure. Whether you opt for Co-Managed or Fully Managed IT Services, your provider will ensure that your technology is up-to-date, secure, and aligned with your organizational objectives. 

If you’re still not sure what option is best for you, let’s talk! We’ll meet your company where you are today, and help you grow.  

Benefits of Managed IT for Architecture Firms 

Architectural firms have unique IT needs, and rely on specialized software and applications, large data storage, and seamless connectivity. Employees working in-office and remotely need to be able to access, share, and collaborate on files, blueprints, schematics, and 3D models. Managing your network infrastructure can be a time-consuming and complex task, and unforeseen IT issues can have serious consequences in terms of diminished productivity, disrupted deadlines, data loss, and compromised security.  

Managed IT services can provide myriad benefits for architectural firms.  

Customized IT Solutions 

Every architecture firm is unique and IT needs may vary. In an industry that requires highly specialized software, large file storage, and CAD support, a Managed IT services provider with experience in the field of architecture and building design is invaluable, offering custom tailored solutions to meet your firm’s specific needs.  

Streamlined Operations

The architecture industry demands precision and efficiency. By outsourcing IT management, firms can streamline operations, reduce downtime, and ensure that teams have access to the resources they need. This translates into greater efficiency and allows architects to concentrate on their core competencies without getting bogged down by IT issues. 

Enhanced Cybersecurity 

Protecting sensitive client information, intellectual property and proprietary design plans is essential to your business. Managed IT services provide robust cybersecurity measures, including firewalls, antivirus software, and threat detection monitoring, ensuring that valuable data is secure. 

Proactive Maintenance and Support 

Rather than waiting for issues to arise, a Managed IT services provider takes a proactive approach to maintenance and support. Regular system updates, software patches, and preventative measures will be implemented to address potential problems before they impact daily operations. Round-the-clock monitoring means issues are addressed promptly, minimizing downtime and providing a stable and reliable IT environment. 

Cost-Effective Solutions 

Managing an IT department in-house can be financially burdensome, particularly for smaller architecture firms. Managed IT services offer a cost-effective solution, with a predictable payment schedule, your business can budget effectively, strategically allocate resources, and avoid unexpected IT expenses.  

Improved Communication and Collaboration 

Architectural design demands effective collaboration. Managed IT services ensure that your team has access to seamless communication tools, file-sharing capabilities, and real time collaboration platforms, whether working in the same office or remotely. 

Data Backup and Recovery 

It goes without saying that data loss can have devastating consequences for architectural firms. Managed IT services include comprehensive data backup and a robust recovery strategy to protect critical files and avoid disruption to operations.  

Compliance and Regulation 

Following regulations regarding client confidentiality and data privacy is essential for architecture firms, both to meet legal obligations and maintain client trust. Managed IT service providers understand industry-specific compliance standards and will ensure that your business adheres to them. 

An efficient, secure, and accessible IT system is critical to your company’s success and effective management and monitoring is an often-complex task. Among the many IT challenges architectural firms face is integrating the latest technology into existing infrastructure, performing proactive maintenance, and ensuring security, compliance, 24/7 monitoring, and ongoing management. This is where Managed IT services can help, by providing customized, comprehensive IT solutions that allow you to focus on what you do best and position your business for success.