DOES YOUR IT PROVIDER CARE ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS?

We’ve all been there. One minute we’re sitting in front of our computers, working away diligently, the next minute everything has crashed. We get on the phone to the I.T. company, and, after 30 minutes on hold, they tell you that the server is down and that they’ll look into it.

Technology downtime can be extremely frustrating, from work schedule disruption to the added expenses of fixing the problem.

Unfortunately, many businesses find themselves continually dealing with the frustration of:

• Server disruption & lengthy downtimes
• Slow servers and internet speeds
• Limited storage issues
• Dodgy security systems
• Non-responsive customer support

HOW DO YOU SOLVE THIS PROBLEM?

Well, there are several issues to consider, and choosing a local I.T. company is one of the most important. Excellent service – without the nonsense of industry jargon, non-specific promises and long response times – is imperative in a fast-moving and dynamic business environment. If your I.T. provider isn’t delivering, it may be time to consider shifting your loyalties.

When you have little knowledge around the intricacies of technical-talk, and no time to educate yourself, you need to know that whoever is in charge of your I.T. not only knows what they are doing but cares about your business.

If you are spending up to 30 minutes holding the line, waiting to speak to a human voice (not a recorded message), it’s probably time to look elsewhere.

LOOK UP TO THE CLOUD FOR THE ANSWER

According to Deloitte’s economic value of cloud services in Australia, the adoption of cloud services has resulted in a collective productivity benefit to the economy of $9.4 billion over the past five years. The study further reveals ‘the cloud’ as a critical driving force behind some of the latest emergence in business innovation. This technology has been foundational in unlocking the next wave of technological advancements from artificial intelligence to the Internet of Things and robotics.

In the survey of over 500 Australian businesses, 78% of cloud users have reported a significant boost in productivity and business efficiency since embracing the solution. Whereas 58% have yet to use any form of paid cloud service, leaving substantial room for an increase in business performance and future economic growth.

With the amount of technology now available, it’s time to stop being weighed down by slow servers, limited storage, and dodgy security. Expand your horizons and look up to the cloud for your answer.

HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT CLOUD

While the benefits of embracing a cloud service for your business are clear, the process of selecting the right provider is something to consider carefully. We have put together some key points to note when choosing your technology partner.

1. Clarify your business needs
Before you can effectively select the right cloud provider, first you need to understand the technology needs of your business. Take the time to clarify your requirements and minimum expectations. Comparing providers to your specific list will help you quickly shortlist the providers rather than starting by comparing each provider with each other.

2. Industry Standards & Certifications
It can be hard to determine if a company is trustworthy and can be relied upon for the hosting of your sensitive data. One way to help answer this crucial question is to find out if the provider complies with recognised standards, best practices, and quality frameworks. Look for suppliers with credentials like ISO 9001 and 27001.

3. Data Security & Compliance
You probably already have a data security mitigation strategy in place for your business. Compliance and mandatory reporting are serious issues that need to be considered when choosing a cloud service. Ensure that your requirements are aligned with the providers level of data security and the data loss & breach notification process.

4. Local or Offshore
Many businesses can be seduced by the low-cost option of using offshore providers, but there are potential risks and legal implications when another country is hosting your data. Selecting a local I.T. company reduces these risks, and being able to meet face-to-face helps to build a strong relationship so you can receive a better-quality service.

5. Reliability & Performance
There are several ways to measure the reliability of a cloud provider, but above all else, take the time to consider the health of the business. Microsoft says in their guide on provider selection “The provider should have a track record of stability and be in a healthy financial position with sufficient capital to operate successfully over the long term.”

Here are a few other specifics for consideration:

a) Financial health
b) Industry knowledge and technical experience
c) Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
d) Performance reporting
e) Resource monitoring & management
f) Automated billing & accounting
g) Migration support
h) Vendor relationships

If you would like to learn more, please feel free to give one of our consultants a call to discuss how our cloud solution could give your business the technology edge.