In today’s technology-driven world, being competitive means having a tech stack that will allow you to adapt to lightning-fast change.
It’s a challenge that larger organisations can afford to throw serious resources at. Just last month, travel giant TUI announced a drive to recruit 1,500 people to its digital team. That’s a pretty major investment what the company described as the “the digitalisation of its processes and products.”
But for the most part, small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) can’t afford this luxury. That may explain why some 40% of UK firms have never used cloud services of any kind. And why most CIOs would replace their entire tech stacks given half a chance.
So how can you go about evaluating and enhancing the effectiveness of your technology?
In my experience, these four steps go a long way towards making sure it’s delivering what your business needs – and producing value for money:
- Audit your environment
Are all the systems and tools that make up your tech stack actually being used?
‘IT sprawl’ is one of the biggest problems affecting firms’ technology environments.
Regularly assessing which solutions are being used, and switching off those that aren’t, will of course cost less. But it will also improve your network effectiveness, leading to happier, more productive staff.
- Streamline your solutions
Integrated tools offer several capabilities in one, eliminating the need to pay for, install and manage multiple solutions. As such, they can be a highly effective and efficient way to give the business the functionalities it requires.
For example, unified communications systems wrap up online meeting facilities, presentation apps, instant messaging services and content-sharing spaces, all in one package. And thanks to cloud technology, they can be delivered ‘as a service’, removing the need for upfront investment altogether.
- Outsource your support
Using a managed tech support service will minimise disruption to your IT systems, keeping your business up and running – not to mention secure.
Remote support teams should respond quickly to any issues that arise, and fix them with as little fuss and delay as possible. The result: less downtime, more engaged employees, and greater productivity.
- Consult your vendor
Your IT vendor can provide valuable advice as you optimise your tech stack.
They can support your landscape audit; recommend the right solutions and managed services; and help you take advantage of powerful enabling technologies such as the cloud.
It goes almost without saying that SMEs are the backbone of our economy. To thrive, they must be agile enough to respond to the fast-moving demands of the digital economy.
But that can’t happen if their tech stacks don’t stack up.
So be honest with yourself: does yours?
Follow the four steps outlined above to be certain that your systems are optimised for today, and fit for the future.
