In today’s competitive business arena, the little things are what distinguish your company from the crowd. And you have to compete against not only local competitors, but also larger firms with a regional or even national presence.
This leaves you with little room for error. Something seemingly minor, like being unable to process a credit card transaction because your network is down, can result in losing your customers’ trust. Whereas something major, like a data breach, can shut down your business for hours or even days. This would be a serious blow to your productivity and bottom line.
Your company’s success, or lack thereof, is almost always connected to technology in one way or another. And while you may already have an IT team to keep everything running smoothly, if they’re not working to improve your technology, it’s only a matter of time before your competition passes you by.
An IT consultant can ensure this doesn’t happen by bringing the following benefits to your business.
Technology expertise and business acumen
When it comes to growing your business, hiring a technology advisor may not immediately come to mind. However, reputable IT consultants will have a wealth of experience working with a wide range of companies within your industry. This means they’re better prepared to offer insights and recommendations on what your company needs from a business perspective, not just an IT-based one.
What’s more, IT consultants are likely to know firsthand which solutions work and which ones don’t. You can be more confident knowing the advice you’re receiving is practical, not just hypothetical. The deep knowledge IT consultants bring to the table can help your company get the most out of your technology.
Fresh perspectives
Bringing in an IT consultant will provide a much needed outsider’s view into how your company’s technology is being utilized. This gives business owners a more thorough understanding of their technology and what can be done to improve current processes.
The right consultant can show you alternatives that look at the bigger picture, something a lot of IT departments overlook in their attempts to just keep everything running. Much like a tax professional you hired would review your accounting and bookkeeping processes, an IT consultant would point out weaknesses you need to correct and strengths you need to leverage.
Cost reduction
Partnering with an IT consultant isn’t free of course, but the money you save in the long run is well worth the investment. Most IT consultants are willing to work on a project-to-project or hourly basis, making them ideal for businesses that might not have the time and budget required to hire a full-time staff. They can keep your hardware in prime working condition, recommend solutions that will streamline and automate business processes, and keep your systems compliant with industry regulations. The cost savings alone are enough to justify bringing an experienced consultant on board.
Better data protection
Data security should be at the top of your list of priorities. Think about it, if your company is struck by a natural disaster, and you don’t have an effective backup strategy in place, it’s unlikely that you’ll make it out alive.
An IT consultant can recommend solutions, processes, and technologies that can protect your data even from malware. Whether you need assistance in planning for a potential data fallout or need help hunting down the right backup solutions for your business, an IT consultant is your go-to person to make it happen.
Before bringing one in, however, it’s important to inform your current IT staff of your decision as well as your reasons behind it. Ideally you’ll want the full support of your team, as they’ll be the ones who oversee the projects implemented by your consultant on a day-to-day basis.
USWired has a wealth of experience developing effective plans of action for businesses in a multitude of industries. We’ll be your company’s secret weapon in its quest to surpass the competition. Call us today to get started.
