For some business owners and executives, scheduling a meeting with an outsourced IT vendor is a little bit like setting up a dentist appointment or visiting the DMV – they’ll put it off until the last possible moment. However, the longer you wait to get experienced help with the tech challenges you are facing, the bigger those challenges are likely to become.
This is true as a rule of thumb, but it particularly applies to certain circumstances where the right information, perspective, or planning can make all the difference. To show you why, and to stop you from making expensive mistakes, here are four times you really do need to call a good IT partner for help…
#1 When You’re Moving to a New Office or Location
You probably don’t want to mess with servers, routers, and other pieces of hardware when moving from one location to another or setting up a new facility. And really, we don’t want you (or your employees) setting up your tech, either.
Not only can small mistakes render expensive hardware and software useless, but re-configuring an office can cost you days of productivity from your staff. If you need to take your tech from one place to another, let the professionals plan and execute the job. Things will go smoother, and you won’t have to deal with so many broken or misplaced pieces of equipment.
#2 When Your Business is Changing Focus or Direction
There used to be a time when we could talk about “business” and “technology” separately. However, that’s not realistic in today’s world. Whatever plans or initiatives you want to put in motion, you’re probably going to need hardware, software, and communications systems to help you move forward.
For that reason, you shouldn’t undertake any huge business growth or change in direction without consulting your IT partner. They can help you find the right technology to get the job done and keep you from spending your money on items that aren’t going to help. When your company changes, so do your IT needs. Get a vendor you can trust to back you up.
#3 When You’re Planning Your IT Investments for the Future
Most business leaders will tell you they spend a lot (and maybe too much) on technology, but at the same time don’t necessarily know what they are getting from their budgets. That’s why IT and financial planning go hand-in-hand.
A good IT partner can help you evaluate your current and ongoing technology expenses and look at the way planned investments fit with your overall strategy for the future. In the process, they can help you save a lot of money and ensure you are giving yourself and your team the right tools for the job.
#4 When Your Tech Isn’t Working the Way It’s Supposed to
We saved the best for last. It’s human nature to procrastinate when it comes to solving nagging IT issues, particularly when you think there might be expenses involved. But, this isn’t a good strategy if you want to keep your business profitable.
For one thing, non-functioning technology is annoying. It’s distracting when things don’t work, and having hardware or software crash can keep you and your team from doing your jobs. Also, small glitches now can signal the potential for bigger (and more expensive) problems later. It’s best to take care of little problems before they become major disruptions to your company.
We understand that getting outside help with technology can seem like a major and unexpected expense at times. However, with the right team on your side, those costs can be reduced and spread out. More to the point, working with a knowledgeable IT vendor can actually save you quite a bit of time, money, and stress over the long run.
So, if you’re facing one of these four situations, we hope you’ll avoid procrastinating and call us today. You might not feel like dealing with IT now, but it’s better than having to recover from a tech disaster later.