Developing an IT strategy is crucial for any organization to achieve long-term success, especially since only 23% of businesses lack a proper project management strategy.
An IT strategy serves as a blueprint, guiding your journey through the complex tech landscape while ensuring alignment with your overall business strategy.
“A well-crafted IT strategy is not just about technology; it’s about aligning IT with business goals to drive meaningful growth,” explains John Yensen, CEO of Revotech Networks.
However, a key question arises: How do you develop an IT strategy?
This article provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on developing an effective IT strategy for your business. By the end, you’ll clearly understand what an IT strategy is, why it’s essential, and how it can help you meet your organizational goals.
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Before diving into the details, it’s vital to clarify what an IT strategy for business entails.
An IT strategy is a critical component of your broader business strategy. It focuses on how technology can be leveraged to meet your company’s long-term goals.
An IT strategy, sometimes called a technology strategy, is a detailed plan that outlines the principles, tactics, projects, and initiatives related to technology deployment within your organization. It creates a roadmap that informs your decision-making processes, ensuring that your IT development strategy is in sync with your business strategy.
Is it Necessary to Have an IT Strategy?
The simple answer is yes.
Developing an IT strategy is indispensable. Information technology underpins almost every aspect of today’s businesses’ daily operations. Whether optimizing routine processes or utilizing data-driven insights to inform decision-making, a robust IT strategy for business is essential.
As MSP info super-source CloudSecureTech all too readily puts it, a strategic IT plan is one of the most effective tools for achieving business goals, from enhancing operational efficiency to gaining a competitive edge. For businesses focused on digital transformation, an IT strategy supports day-to-day operations and drives innovation and long-term success.
6 Steps for Developing an IT Strategy for Business
To create an IT strategy, you must follow several key steps. Below, we outline a six-step process to help you develop an IT strategy tailored to your business needs.
1. Audit Your Current IT Systems and Infrastructure
The first step in developing an IT strategy is thoroughly assessing your existing IT infrastructure. The depth of this audit will depend on your specific goals, especially if you’re aiming for a significant digital transformation.
This initial assessment is part of a broader gap analysis, where you might uncover outdated or redundant technologies or even realize you’re paying for unused services. Understanding the current state of your IT systems, infrastructure, and architecture is crucial for crafting a strategy that effectively addresses these gaps.
2. Align Your Business Objectives
No two IT strategies are alike; each must be tailored to the unique needs of the business it supports. The process starts with aligning your IT strategy with your overall business objectives, ensuring it complements your business goals.
Consider factors such as:
Demand forecasting
Sales and revenue targets
Growth and expansion plans
Potential business partnerships
Marketing and advertising strategies
Supply chain and logistics management
Integrating the goals of different departments into a cohesive IT strategy that supports the entire organization is essential.
This alignment often requires input from key stakeholders, ensuring that your IT strategy meets internal needs and supports broader business goals.
3. Outline Your IT Scope and Requirements
With your IT strategy aligned with your business goals, the next step is to define the scope and requirements of your IT development strategy.
This involves determining your IT strategy’s specific strategic planning elements, including its timeline, objectives, and the resources needed to achieve them. Be sure to integrate the insights gathered in the earlier stages of the process.
Establish periodic milestones to ensure you stay on track. These checkpoints allow you to assess your progress and validate the effectiveness of your strategy.
Regular updates and assessments are essential to maintaining alignment with organizational goals and ensuring that your strategy remains relevant as it evolves.
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4. Map Out Your IT Architecture
With a clear understanding of your current state and your desired future, it’s time to map out the IT architecture required to achieve your objectives. This includes identifying the hardware, software, personnel, and other resources necessary for your IT strategy to succeed.
Compliance is a critical consideration during this stage. Since compliance requirements can vary across different departments, evaluating each business unit is essential. This ensures that your IT strategy meets technical requirements and adheres to all relevant regulations and standards.
By the end of this phase, you should have a comprehensive view of your IT architecture, including how various components will work together to support your business strategy. This detailed understanding will also help you anticipate and mitigate potential challenges before they arise.
5. Clearly Define Your KPIs and Metrics
Establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics is crucial for measuring the success of your IT strategy. As the saying goes, “What gets measured gets done.”
Your KPIs should be:
Quantifiable and actionable
Applicable across the entire organization
Strategic and focused on long-term results
Aligned with your overarching business strategy
Metrics, on the other hand, are more tactical and specific to individual departments. Each business unit should define metrics tailored to its specific goals and responsibilities. These metrics might include capacity utilization, delivery time, sales performance, marketing ROI, help desk ticket resolution, and employee satisfaction.
By tracking strategic KPIs and tactical metrics, you can ensure that your IT strategy effectively drives growth and supports your organizational goals.
6. Get Leadership Approval for Your Plan and Budget
Once your IT strategy is fully developed, the final step is to gain approval from company leadership and key stakeholders. This step is crucial for securing the necessary funding and support to implement your strategy.
To achieve stakeholder buy-in, present your technology strategy in a way that highlights its potential ROI and alignment with the company’s business strategy.
Be sure to include data-driven projections for each IT initiative, as this will help convince executives and investors of the strategy’s value. One example would be demonstrating how integrating managed services into your IT strategy can reduce costs by 25% while providing a 50% productivity boost.
Understanding the Benefits of Developing an IT Strategy
Before concluding, let’s explore the key benefits of developing an IT strategy. When executed correctly, an IT development strategy can help your organization:
Stay competitive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape
Identify and eliminate redundancies, bottlenecks, and unused resources
Budget effectively for both short-term and long-term IT expenditures
Clarify overarching business goals and align them with IT initiatives
Streamline operational efficiency and ensure compliance across all business units
Enhance security and disaster recovery planning
Delegate decision-making to the appropriate key stakeholders
Developing an IT Strategy In-House vs. Working with an MSP
Develop an Effective IT Strategy for Your Business with Revotech Networks
Now that you understand how to develop an IT strategy, the next question is who should be responsible for developing it. Crafting a successful technology strategy often requires collaboration between key IT personnel and senior managers.
However, if your organization’s IT staff is limited or already overwhelmed with daily responsibilities, it might be time to seek external support. Partnering with a managed services provider (MSP) can be a strategic move to ensure your IT strategy is both well-developed and effectively implemented.
Whether you need to optimize your existing IT systems or embark on a company-wide digital transformation, Revotech Networks is ready to assist you.
With over 65 years of combined industry expertise and a remarkable 99.8% customer satisfaction rating, our consultants and vCIOs are trusted partners in developing actionable IT strategies that align with your business goals.
Take the first step towards enhancing your IT strategy for long-term business success. Contact us today to learn more.
The 5 Most Common Problems with IT and How to Solve Them
Summary:
IT problems like ransomware, downtime, and data loss can cost businesses millions and significantly damage operations and reputation.
Real-world examples from Canadian companies illustrate how issues like ransomware and shadow IT have led to major financial and operational fallout.
Revotech offers services that can help businesses avoid these costly problems—like Managed IT, Co-Managed IT, Data Backup & Recovery, Cloud Services, and HaaS.
Investing in proactive IT support costs far less than the damage caused by avoidable tech failures or security breaches.
Consider investing in customized, scalable IT solutions that help your business stay secure, productive, and prepared for growth.
IT Problems Are Expensive. Here’s How to Avoid the Worst Ones.
When most companies think about IT issues, they think about the inconvenience: downtime, lag, login problems. But make no mistake—the real cost of IT problems can be measured in dollars and cents. We’re talking serious operational disruptions, missed revenue, and reputational damage that can cripple your bottom line for years to come.
From ransomware attacks to lost productivity and failed backups, many of the most common IT problems are also the most financially devastating. As BC’s go-to providers of managed IT services, we’ve spent years helping businesses avoid these pitfalls—so we’ve seen them all and we understand the risks you face.
Below, we break down the five most expensive problems in IT, how much they can actually cost your business, and what you can do to prevent them. Read on and learn to give your organization the protection it deserves.
1. Ransomware & Cybersecurity Incidents
In 2024, the average cost of a data breach in Canada reached $6.32 million, according to IBM. Cyberattacks like ransomware can bring your operations to a standstill, damage customer trust, and trigger regulatory fines.
Real-World Example: A real estate firm in Vancouver had their deal data encrypted by ransomware mid-transaction. It delayed closings for two weeks and forced them to pay a five-figure ransom just to recover access.
How to Fix It:
Advanced Threat Protection: Endpoint detection, firewall management, and intrusion prevention via Revotech’s Managed IT Services.
Ransomware Protection & Recovery: With 24/7 monitoring and automated failover backups from Revotech’s Data Backup & Recovery service, you can recover quickly without giving in to cybercriminals.
Employee Training: Phishing is still the leading cause of breaches. Revotech provides ongoing awareness training through our Co-Managed IT solutions.
2. Downtime & Lost Productivity
Downtime costs larger businesses an average of $9,000 per minute. For small and mid-sized companies, the hit may not make headlines—but it can still be devastating. Imagine your CAD engineers sitting idle for hours, or your finance firm unable to access client data during tax season.
Real-World Example: In February 2023, Indigo Books & Music, Canada’s largest bookstore chain, experienced a cyberattack that disrupted its internal systems and e-commerce platform. The incident forced the company to revert to manual processes, resulting in significant operational disruptions and lost sales.
How to Fix It:
24/7 Infrastructure Monitoring with Managed IT Services that proactively prevent downtime and solve it quickly when incidents occur.
Scalable On-Demand Support through Co-Managed IT, so your internal team isn’t stuck firefighting while projects stall.
Hardware as a Service (HaaS) from Revotech helps avoid equipment-related downtime by providing regular upgrades and proactive hardware replacements.
Real-World Example: In March 2023, the City of Toronto confirmed unauthorized access to its internal systems, leading to data loss that took months to restore. The breach highlighted the importance of having robust backup and recovery solutions to mitigate the impact of cyber incidents.
How to Fix It:
Automated Backups with Redundancy: Revotech’s Data Backup & Recovery includes multi-location storage, including offsite and cloud-based backups.
Disaster Recovery Planning: Every backup solution comes with business continuity planning to minimize risk.
Regular Testing & Monitoring: We don’t just set it and forget it. Our team regularly tests recovery protocols to ensure your backups actually work.
4. Shadow IT & Data Leakage
When employees use unsanctioned apps or cloud services (Slack, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.), your organization is exposed to what’s called “Shadow IT.” It’s a leading cause of data leakage and compliance violations.
Real-World Example: The Capital One data breach of 2019 impacted millions of Canadians when Paige Thompson, a former Amazon Web Services software engineer, managed to access Capital One data servers via unapproved cloud services. A lack of proper security controls also contributed to the breach.
How to Fix It:
Microsoft 365 Management: With Revotech’s Office 365 Services, we help businesses centralize collaboration through secure, fully managed apps.
Access Management & Permissions Control: Role-based access, multi-factor authentication, and single sign-on capabilities.
Cloud Usage Monitoring through our Cloud Services, including real-time usage alerts and compliance enforcement.
5. Outdated or Over-Purchased Hardware
Buying IT equipment is a balancing act: too little, and you bottleneck your team. Too much, and you’re wasting thousands on underused assets. Outdated gear also introduces compatibility issues and security risks.
Real-World Example: The infamous TJX Cos. breach exposed over 94 million credit and debit cards—thanks to obsolete tech used by the parent company of the affected businesses. The thieves didn’t need anything beyond a laptop, an antennae, and a little bit of specialized software. If the company had kept their hardware up to date, it might never have happened.
How to Fix It:
Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS): Revotech supplies up-to-date hardware as part of a flat monthly fee—no upfront investment required.
Lifecycle Planning & Maintenance: We plan your hardware lifecycle, monitor performance, and replace systems before they cause problems.
Bundled IT Support: All devices from Revotech come with patching, antivirus, and remote management as standard.
How Much Are These Problems Costing You?
The average small to mid-sized business in BC might expect to spend several thousand dollars per month on managed IT support. That’s significantly less than the cost of a single day of downtime—or one serious data breach.
Whether you’re in construction, consulting, finance, or manufacturing, these five issues aren’t just annoying—they’re expensive. And if you wait until one of them causes a crisis, it will cost far more to recover than to prevent.
Work with Revotech & Avoid the Costliest IT Mistakes
Revotech provides customized, proactive IT solutions that protect your business, increase productivity, and reduce your risk.
Whether you need full IT outsourcing or just want a hand managing your existing infrastructure, our experts are here to help you:
Secure your data and systems
Eliminate downtime
Plan for sustainable growth
Support your employees 24/7
Get expert support that saves you time, stress, and money. Contact Revotech today for a free IT assessment.
The Ultimate Guide For The Pros and Cons of IT Outsourcing
The risks and benefits of IT outsourcing are critical for growing businesses to understand. Afterall, IT outsourcing represents a scalable solution to tech impediments. And the benefits are significant: over $400 per minute can be saved by mitigating downtime. Cybersecurity services can prevent business-ending breaches.
“Outsourcing IT services allows businesses to leverage specialized expertise and advanced technologies while focusing on their core activities. At Revotech Networks, we are dedicated to providing tailored IT solutions that enhance efficiency and security,” says John Yensen, CEO of Revotech Networks.
Businesses are constantly seeking ways to optimize operations and reduce costs and IT outsourcing has emerged as a strategic solution, offering numerous advantages to companies of all sizes.
This blog explores the key benefits of IT outsourcing, examines the potential risks, and discusses how Revotech Networks addresses these challenges to provide a seamless outsourcing experience.
Key Benefits of IT Outsourcing
1. Cost Efficiency
Significant Cost Savings
One of the primary benefits of IT outsourcing is cost efficiency. By outsourcing IT services, companies can reduce overhead costs associated with maintaining an in-house IT team. This includes salaries, benefits, training, and infrastructure expenses. Outsourcing allows businesses to pay for only the services they need, leading to significant cost savings.
2. Access to Specialists
Specialized Skills and Knowledge
Outsourcing IT services provides access to a pool of highly skilled professionals with specialized knowledge. These experts stay up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and industry best practices. By leveraging their expertise, businesses can ensure their IT infrastructure is managed efficiently and effectively.
3. Focus on Core Business Activity
Enhanced Operational Efficiency
Outsourcing IT functions allows businesses to focus on their core activities without being distracted by technical issues. This enables internal teams to concentrate on strategic initiatives and business growth, leading to enhanced operational efficiency.
One of the significant advantages of outsourcing IT services is the scalability it offers. Companies can easily scale their IT services up or down based on their needs, without the financial burden of hiring or laying off employees. This flexibility ensures that businesses can adapt quickly to changing market conditions.
5. Improved Security and Compliance
Enhanced Security Measures Outsourcing IT services often includes robust security measures implemented by the service provider. These measures protect against cyber threats and ensure that sensitive data is secure. Outsourcing partners are typically well-versed in the latest security protocols and can offer comprehensive protection.
Regulatory Compliance Compliance with industry regulations is critical for many businesses. Outsourcing providers ensure that your IT practices align with regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of non-compliance and potential penalties.
IT Outsourcing Pros and Cons
While there are numerous benefits of outsourcing IT services, it is essential to consider the potential risks and challenges. Understanding these pros and cons helps businesses make informed decisions.
Advantages of Outsourcing IT Services
Cost Efficiency: Reduces overhead costs and optimizes budget.
Access to Expertise: Provides specialized skills and advanced technologies.
Focus on Core Activities: Enhances operational efficiency by allowing businesses to concentrate on core functions.
Scalability: Offers flexibility to scale services based on business needs.
Improved Security: Ensures robust security measures and compliance with regulations.
Disadvantages of Outsourcing IT Services
Loss of Control: Outsourcing can lead to a loss of control over certain IT functions.
Security Risks: Sharing sensitive data with an external provider introduces potential security risks.
Communication Challenges: Different time zones or language barriers can lead to misalignments and delays.
Quality Control: Inconsistent quality of services provided by the outsourcing partner can affect business operations.
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How Revotech Networks Addresses IT Outsourcing Risks
Maintaining Control and Oversight
Clear Service Level Agreements (SLAs) Revotech Networks mitigates the risk of losing control by establishing clear SLAs. These agreements outline the responsibilities, performance metrics, and expectations, ensuring that the outsourcing provider meets your business requirements.
Robust Security Measures
Comprehensive Data Protection Revotech Networks prioritizes security by implementing robust data protection measures. We conduct thorough due diligence and ensure that all security protocols are adhered to, protecting your sensitive information from potential breaches.
Effective Communication
Regular Updates and Meetings To address communication challenges, Revotech Networks establishes clear communication protocols. Regular updates and meetings ensure that both parties are aligned, and any issues are promptly addressed. We use advanced collaboration tools to facilitate seamless communication.
Quality Assurance
Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation Revotech Networks maintains high service quality through continuous monitoring and evaluation. We set measurable KPIs and regularly review performance against these metrics. This approach ensures that the quality of service remains consistent and meets your expectations.
Discover the Benefits of IT Outsourcing with Revotech Networks
Revotech Networks stands at the forefront of delivering exceptional IT outsourcing services. With a commitment to excellence and outstanding customer service, Revotech transforms IT outsourcing from a functional necessity into a strategic advantage that drives business growth.
By leveraging specialized expertise and advanced technologies, Revotech Networks helps businesses optimize their IT infrastructure, ensuring efficiency, security, and scalability. Partnering with Revotech means gaining a reliable ally dedicated to enhancing your IT operations and enabling your business to thrive in a competitive landscape.
Reach out to us today for a free consultation to explore the best IT packages customized to fit your unique business needs.
The Top 5 Tech Companies in Vancouver Revealed
You’ve heard it before, “Technology is the bedrock of modern business.” Today, the weight of this phrase rings more accurate than ever before. A staggering 89% of businesses believe their IT departments are crucial for company success, according to a report from Gartner. The crux of the matter is plain as day: if you don’t invest in the right technology, your competitors will, leaving you in their dust.
In this fast-paced world of digital innovation, the top tech companies in Vancouver are surging ahead, setting the pace with revolutionary IT applications. “Success in the tech industry is no longer about who has the best idea; it’s about who can leverage IT most effectively,” is the authoritative dictum of the day.
The 5 Top Vancouver Tech Companies and How They Use IT to Thrive
In the rapidly evolving tech landscape, five titans of Vancouver have leveraged IT to climb to the zenith. Discover how these trailblazers ingeniously deploy technology to drive their business success and revolutionize their industries. Buckle up, we’re heading into the innovation fast lane!
1. Global Relay: The IT Dynamo
The first jewel in the crown of large tech companies in Vancouver is Global Relay, an industry giant that has revolutionized the world of electronic message archiving.
Their potent mix of high-performance cloud computing and advanced encryption has propelled them to the top of their field. Their winning strategy? Staying a step ahead with cutting-edge IT. Take a leaf out of their book; constantly upgrade your IT skills and stay ahead of the game.
2. AbCellera: AI and Biotech Harmonious Synergy
Next, we turn our eyes to AbCellera, a trailblazer among Vancouver technology companies. They are harmonizing artificial intelligence and biotechnology in a beautifully orchestrated symphony.
Their mastery lies in their ability to harness AI’s potential to speed up antibody discovery, a breakthrough echoed by their involvement in the rapid development of a COVID-19 therapeutic. The lesson here is clear: When you marry AI with your business, you give birth to untold possibilities.
3. Dapper Labs: Revolutionizing Digital Collectibles
Our next stop on this exploration of top tech companies in Vancouver is Dapper Labs, the creator of CryptoKitties and NBA Top Shot.
They’ve harnessed blockchain technology and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) to create a new wave of digital collectibles. The proof is in the pudding. Take a page from Dapper Lab’s book and explore how blockchain can transform your business model.
4. Telus International: Digital Solutions Maestro
Telus International is a towering entity among the biggest tech companies in Vancouver, delivering top-notch digital solutions and enhancing customer experience.
Their success stems from using modern IT solutions to streamline business processes and improve customer interactions. In other words, they use technology to make life easier. It’s a no-brainer, isn’t it? Make your customers’ life more manageable with IT.
5. Canfor: Molding Forestry with IT
Lastly, let’s talk about Canfor, a name you wouldn’t expect among big tech companies in Vancouver, but they’re here to shake things up.
By digitizing their supply chain and implementing IT in forestry management, they’re proving that technology has a place in every industry. Here’s the moral: No matter your business, there’s always a place for IT.
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Embracing IT for Success Like These Vancouver Technology Companies with Revotech as Your IT Partner
The trend is clear: the largest tech companies in Vancouver leverage IT to rocket their businesses to unprecedented heights. As you venture forward in the bustling tech world, remember this: IT isn’t just a tool; it’s your secret weapon. It’s not just about being part of the game but changing it.
Let Revotech revolutionize your IT solutions! As an industry-leading Managed Services Provider, we’re here to streamline your success.
Don’t wait. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation. Let Revotech propel your business forward.
The Top 5 Industries in Vancouver Thriving with IT
Nestled on the western coast of Canada, Vancouver sparkles with a vibrancy matched only by its breathtaking natural vistas. Yet, the allure of Vancouver goes beyond the visual feast offered by its landscapes. This bustling city is an economic dynamo, a sanctuary for a multitude of flourishing industries.
In this article, we will journey beneath the surface of the top 5 industries in Vancouver, illuminating how they each leverage IT to bolster productivity and fortify their market position.
Some Background Info About Vancouver’s Economy
Before we venture into the intricacies of Vancouver’s leading industries, let us cast our gaze over the broader economic topography of the city.
An indispensable cog in the economic machinery of British Columbia, Vancouver significantly fuels its growth. This city enjoys economic stability, thanks to a diverse mix of resource-intensive and knowledge-intensive industries, allowing it to stand firm even in the face of global economic tempests.
Vancouver’s geographical position is a vital asset, providing a gateway to both Asian and American markets. Its bustling port, one of the busiest in North America, is the lifeblood of billions in trade each year.
But the city’s economic resilience is underpinned by something more than conventional factors. Information Technology, or IT, is the silent yet steadfast pillar supporting every facet of Vancouver’s vibrant economy, from resource management to service delivery.
The 5 Biggest Industries in Vancouver and How They Use IT for Success
With no more ado, let us traverse the fascinating terrain of the 5 most colossal industries in Vancouver – industries that you ought to bear in mind, as they cleverly harness the power of IT each day to fan the flames of their expansion:
1. Real Estate and Construction
The towering edifices and sprawling infrastructure of Vancouver bear testament to the prominence of the real estate and construction industry.
This sector, providing livelihoods to thousands, has embraced IT to its advantage, fostering better project management, enhancing communication, and honing cost control. The transformative power of IT is evident in digital blueprints, 3D modeling, and virtual reality tours that have now become industry standards.
2. Technology and Innovation
With its strategic location and pool of exceptional talent, Vancouver is a fertile ground for the technology and innovation industry.
Employing over 100,000 individuals, this sector is at the vanguard of crafting advanced solutions spanning diverse fields. The bedrock of its innovative prowess is the IT infrastructure, where cloud computing enables scalable solutions and big data paves the way for astute decision-making.
3. Film and Entertainment
Adding a dash of glitz to Vancouver’s economy is the film and entertainment industry.
Dubbed ‘Hollywood North’, Vancouver is a favored destination for many film and television production crews. IT is at the heart of this industry, with post-production activities such as editing, special effects, and sound design all heavily reliant on state-of-the-art software and hardware.
4. Tourism
The breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and culinary delights of Vancouver beckon millions of tourists each year, positioning tourism as one of the top industries in Vancouver. IT acts as a lifeline for this sector, empowering it with digital marketing campaigns, online booking platforms, and data analytics to forecast tourism trends and enrich visitor experiences.
5. Natural Resources
In spite of its urban character, Vancouver remains intimately connected to the natural resources industry.
Sectors like forestry, mining, and energy production play a significant part in shaping the local economy. IT is an invaluable ally to these industries, augmenting productivity and safety with tools like GIS mapping, resource modeling, and real-time monitoring systems.”
Making Clever Use of IT with Revotech as Your IT Partner (Just Like Vancouver’s Top Industries)
Managed IT services are a potent catalyst for the top industries in Vancouver.
A trusted IT ally like Revotech can craft bespoke solutions tailored to the distinct needs of each industry. From fortifying the tech industry with robust cybersecurity infrastructure, to equipping real estate businesses with cloud solutions, to enabling data analytics for the tourism sector – a managed IT service provider can significantly enhance a business’s journey to success.
Vancouver’s industries have tapped into the transformative potential of IT to grow, innovate, and lead. And if you are keen to unlock this same potential for your enterprise, we at Revotech Networks are ready to guide you.
Reach out to us today to explore how we can elevate your business’ IT performance to a level that echoes the triumphs of the top 5 industries in Vancouver, BC. With us at the helm of your IT solutions, you can confidently sail toward a future of growth, innovation, and leadership, all the while adding to the economic vitality of this wonderful city.
Why Businesses Should Embrace WFH and Managed IT Services
The COVID-19 pandemic brought about tremendous, unimaginable changes across the world. Lockdown, shelter-in-place orders, ban on gatherings for safety purposes and national and international travel restrictions meant the world, and businesses couldn’t function as they were doing in the pre-pandemic times. Tradeshows went online, meetings happened from the couch in the living room, company parties meant saying cheers and sharing a glass of wine over a Zoom call with your video turned on. The transition to this work-from-home (WFH) culture on such a large scale and at this level was unforeseen, but it has happened nevertheless. While initially there were talks of this transition being short-lived and people resuming ‘normal’ lives in a couple of weeks, now it is clear that this trend is here to stay. Organizations and employees alike are seeing the numerous benefits of working from home.
From the company perspective,three big benefits stand out: they include saving significantly on real estate expenses–with staff working from home they don’t have to spend as much on renting office space, an increase in productivity and a drop in absenteeism and employee turnover.
From the workforce perspective, a lot of people are happier working from home as it helps cut the travel time to work and also supports better work/life balance. There’s a lot of flexibility, which is appreciated by employees with children or elderly parents who require caregiving.
In light of these benefits for both parties, it is highly unlikely that we will ever go back to the traditional office setup. What is more likely to take shape is a mixed environment where employees are mostly operating remotely and perhaps stepping into the office once in a while for catch-up sessions. As homes expand to accommodate office space, traditional office spaces will shrink to include probably just a conference room for in-person meetings. While this makes perfect sense, there’s something here that you can’t ignore- Data security. WFH may keep your staff safe during the pandemic, but it may put your data at risk and jeopardize your data security if you don’t take the right precautions. Why? Because WFH often involves employees using their own devices for work purposes and that blurs a lot of boundaries. It also raises several questions from the data security perspective which makes it imperative that you have mechanisms in place to mitigate possible data loss, leaks, or misuse before you allow employees to use their own devices for work purposes.
In light of these challenges, it makes sense to sign up for a service level agreement with a managed services provider, an MSP who specializes in data security, recovery, backup and cybersecurity, They will help you put security mechanisms, prepare IT policies to define the boundaries and regulations when your staff is operating from home and also train your staff in IT best practices and to identify malware infiltration attempts.
Is That A Business Continuity Plan In Your Pocket Or A Bunch Of Jargon?
Technology is full of difficult jargon. To further complicate things, certain terms are often used in a different context between one publication or service provider and the next. An example of this is the usage of backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity. These terms are commonly used interchangeably, often resulting in confusion. In an effort to alleviate some of this confusion, let’s describe each physical process. You will see an overlay among all three, although they are each different processes.
Backup – In IT lingo, the most basic description of backup is the act of copying data, as in files or programs, from its original location to another. The purpose of this is to ensure that the original files or programs are retrievable in the event of any accidental deletion, hardware or software failure, or any other type of tampering, corruption and theft.
It’s important to remember that the term “backup” refers to data only and doesn’t apply to the physical machines, devices, or systems themselves. If there were a system failure, disk crash, or an onsite physical disaster, all systems would still have to be replaced, rebuilt, and properly configured before the backed-up data could be loaded onto them.
Disaster Recovery – Backups are a single, albeit crucial, component of any disaster recovery plan. Disaster recovery refers to the complete recovery of your physical systems, applications, and data in the event of a physical disaster like a fire; hurricane or tornado; flood ; earthquake ; act of terror or theft.
A disaster recovery plan uses pre-determined parameters to define an acceptable recovery period. From there, the most satisfactory recovery point is chosen to get your business up and running with minimal data loss and interruption.
Business Continuity – Although backup and disaster recovery processes make sure that a business can recover its systems and data within a reasonable time, there is still the chance of downtime from a few hours to many days. The point of a business continuity plan is to give businesses continuous access to their technology and data, no matter what. Zero or minimal downtime is the goal.
Critical business data can be backed up with configurable snapshots that are instantly virtualized. This allows files, folders and data to be turned on and restored in seconds. Bare metal restores of hardware, where an image of one machine is overlaid onto a different machine, is also utilized along with cloud replication for instant off-site virtualization.
Many businesses also keep redundant systems and storage at a different physical location than their main site as part of their business continuity process. They may also outline procedures for staff to work remotely off-site. Some businesses or organizations may go as far as to have printed contact lists and other critical data stored off-site to keep their business moving if a disaster wipes out power and their ability to access anything electronically.
This should clarify the differences between backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity solutions. Choosing what works best for your business will come down to your current IT infrastructure, your budget and how much downtime you can reasonably accept.
Managed Service Providers – or MSPs – are often recommended as a cost effective IT solution for small businesses. For a minimal monthly fee, MSPs provide a reasonably priced solution to the complex technology pains of small businesses. Here’s a look at the various benefits an MSP can offer your business…
Freed-Up Resources and a Renewed Emphasis on Core Business – Both business owners and internal IT staff would much rather focus on revenue enhancing tasks like product development or the creation of cutting-edge applications/services. This is one reason routine monitoring and maintenance tasks are often neglected by an internal IT person or team, which always proves to be detrimental much later.
Often misportrayed as a “threat” to an internal IT person or staff, MSPs can instead relieve internal staff of mundane network operations maintenance, repetitious monitoring of server and storage infrastructure, and day-to-day operations and help desk duties.
A True Partner Sharing Risks And Responsibilities – The goal of an MSP is to deliver on contracted services, measure, report, analyze and optimize IT service operations, and truly become an irreplaceable catalyst for business growth. Managed Service Providers not only assume leadership roles, they enable risk reduction, enhance efficiency and change the culture by introducing internal IT operations to new technologies and processes.
Access to Expertise, Best Practices and World-Class Tools and Technologies – MSPs have experience with a variety of businesses and organizations. Managed Service Providers can keep your business relevant and on track with continually evolving technology, support, and productivity demands. Let’s face it, no small or medium sized business can afford to fall behind with technology trends in today’s business world.
The Benefit of a Full-Time Fully Staffed IT Department at a Fraction of the Cost – Most small business owners live and die by proactive management. They just haven’t had the budget, resources or access to on-demand expertise to be proactive with information technology management. A Managed Service Provider gives business owners and overwhelmed internal IT staff affordable computer and server support, remote monitoring of critical network components like servers and firewalls, data backup and disaster recovery, network security, custom software solutions, and technology evaluation and planning.
Managed Service Providers can decrease the overall IT support costs by as much as 30% to 50%. Rather than being stressed about technology, business owners can instead get back to focusing on growing their business. All while enjoying the benefits of highly-trained IT experts boosting their network’s reliability and performance.
