5 Business Technology Solutions to Evaluate in 2017
Happy new year! By now, your IT service provider has probably guided and prepared you for 2017; however, it’s always a good idea to double check. We’ve compiled a simple checklist that consists of five critical business technology solutions that should be implemented during the year ahead:
The 5 Critical Business Technology Solutions
- Renew Licenses, Support, and Service Contracts. The last thing you want when your business is humming along is to discover that your software licenses or service contracts have expired. Your managed services provider (MSP) or business technology solutions provider should not only keep your hardware and software running; they should work to ensure continued support and legal use of those products or services.
- Upgrade Software and Hardware That Are No Longer Supported. If your business is using versions of operating systems or other software that their manufacturer will no longer support, you must work with your service or technology provider to address this change. The solution may be as simple as installing a free update to Mac OS or as complex as investing in new hardware to run the latest release of Windows Server.
- Evaluate Industry-Specific Security Requirements. At least annually, your IT service or technology provider should assess your security infrastructure. A good security plan considers your:
- Data management practices
- Company risk profile
- Current security policy for both physical and intellectual assets
- Compliance with industry-specific regulatory requirements
- Perform a Full Network Security and Vulnerability Scan. In addition, your vendor should assess the security of your business network, including:
- User accounts
- Authentication requirements
- Group memberships
- Acceptable use policy
- Naming conventions for servers
- Antivirus solution
- Intrusion prevention and detection tools
- Remote access settings
- Backup and recovery
- Review and Revise Capacity Plans for Your Business’ Growth Needs. Capacity planning refers to the efficient use of resources by projecting production needs. Effective capacity planning helps your business clarify budgets, determine its ability to grow, and respond to changes in its industry or environment. Your IT services or business technology provider should consult on the technology aspects of these elements so that you can plan accordingly.
The technical consulting team at All Phases IT is here to help make sure your business is ready for 2017! Contact us to speak with one of our IT professionals.
