5 Ways COVID-19 Has Been an IT Wake-Up Call
COVID-19 has impacted nearly every aspect of daily life, and the business world is no exception.
Although some organizations were more prepared for the virus than others, all businesses had to make adjustments to adapt to new business conditions. The rapid changes made necessary by the pandemic were an IT wake-up call to many businesses as they realized what was lacking in their infrastructures and capabilities.
These are five areas that have been affected by the pandemic where business owners have recognized the need to update and improve their IT:
1. Security
Cyber threats have increased exponentially due to hackers capitalizing on the coronavirus, and security has gotten worse due to workers dispersing to less secure locations and networks.
Businesses are recognizing more than ever the importance of having preventative measures in place, following secure practices, and keeping employees on the same page when it comes to cybersecurity.
IT providers need to help remote teams employ solutions such as firewalls, spam filtering, and antimalware as well as instruct teams on safe password and internet use.
2. Communication
Companies have had to re-evaluate how they collaborate and the communication tools they use, including team messaging channels, video chatting platforms, and phone communications.
Some have realized that their current solutions aren’t enough to enable full communication for a remote team. And, with remote work likely here to stay, they are recognizing the need for more robust systems.
Some common solutions businesses are using to increase their remote communication capabilities include:
- Microsoft Teams, which offers a great unified platform for instant messaging, video conferencing, and more
- Zoom, which allows free video conferences for a limited amount of participants and time
- VoIP systems, which are flexible business lines that can be used from any location to communicate with clients
3. Access to Data
Companies have also had to take a look at how they access and share information. Now that so many pieces of everyday work are done remotely, businesses need efficient ways to collaborate on projects.
Cloud solutions can solve the problem of remote collaboration by storing files on a remote server accessible from any location with an internet connection.
4. IT Costs and ROI
COVID-19 has caused financial hardships across nearly every industry, forcing businesses to evaluate where they really afford to spend their money.
When it comes to spending on IT, businesses have become more conscious of how much they spend and the actual results their efforts are producing. But however tempting it is to cut IT budgets, many companies are finding that the ROI of spending on technology is greater than the benefits of cutting it.
If working with a knowledgeable IT partner can help you implement tools and processes that increase efficiency, it’s almost certainly one area worth spending on, even despite the current pandemic.
5. Partnership with Your IT Provider
Modern businesses need an IT partner that will anticipate their needs and help them leverage their technology for growth through personalized strategizing. If your IT company does nothing more than fix computers, you’re going to fall behind the competition that’s fully utilizing their IT capabilities.
Companies have taken notice of their IT company’s involvement during the pandemic and their ability to meet their needs as remote work requires more careful IT planning. COVID-19 has been a wakeup call for companies who aren’t receiving the care they need from their IT provider.
Fortunately, TheCompuLab is a reliable local IT provider ready to work with you to help your business succeed. We offer managed IT services in West Palm Beach and the surrounding areas, and we’re dedicated to providing businesses with the exceptional service that will help them grow well past the time of the current pandemic.
Get in touch with us today for a free consultation to see how we can help your business.
