Every piece of your business is important. Building a sound foundation improves efficiency and productivity. In turn, this stability will increase the overall health of your company. Learn how to evaluate the basic IT and productivity infrastructure of your business.
What is infrastructure? Infrastructure is the basic framework or physical components driving an operation like the building, computers, software, even the printers and fax machines as well as the soft components like services and software. This term is applicable in any environment. Actually, businesses cannot really function without some level of infrastructure.
Basic areas to evaluate. This is the most challenging hurdle in business, identifying issues and building solutions to improve operations. Obviously your company functions but, where can efficiency and productivity be increased?
Be sure to evaluate the IT foundation or infrastructure supporting your company and the productivity infrastructure including the competency of your employees and effectiveness of your processes. Can you think of any broken links so far?
5 tips to evaluating your IT infrastructure. If your company doesn’t have an IT expert on staff, this may seem intimidating. Here are a few tips to help you along.
1. Inventory your hardware: Review the hardware your company currently uses. Inventory would include physical items like the servers, computers (laptops too), printers, etc. Use this inventory to determine areas that require upgrades or improvements.
2. Review your software: Many organizations never review or change the software they use for the processes they rely on most like customer relations, inventory, or even data management. Take a look at new options on the market today and compare functionality and scalability.
3. Inspect your data and storage solution: Ensure you have what you need when you need it. Storing and managing your company data is an extremely important component.
4. Examine networking and telecommunication options: Your networking and telecommunications provider may not be the best fit for your company. Look at your current arrangement and evaluate options to combine things like phone services and Internet.
5. Assess your current IT approach - staffing or consultancy: Do you have an employee on staff who installs new software/hardware as well as monitors and repairs your systems as needed? If not, consider an expert to keep your company’s computer systems in good shape. A managed service agreement contracting a team of IT professionals will give you piece of mind about your technological foundation so you can focus on your business.
If you would like assistance reviewing your current IT infrastructure, give us a call today. Biz-Net provides a FREE Detailed Network Assessment including an asset inventory, security check, application inspection and database review. We will deliver all the information you need with our recommendations so you can make informed decisions about improvements to your systems to create a solid foundation.
Evaluating your productivity infrastructure. Training and development are essential when seeking to improve productivity. The more your staff understands about the IT infrastructure of your company and how they can utilize tools available to be a useful cog, the better.
Yes, your employees are cogs. Even your staff are critical components in the structure of your business. Make sure they have the skills necessary to work productively, safely, and effectively for your company. If you have someone on staff that can train employees, be sure they know the processes 100% and convey the company standards to a “T”. If you need assistance, e-learning may be a valuable tool. Company’s like killSoft.com or Training.BLR.com offer economical training programs online.
A company handbook. Constructing guidelines for your employees may seem
elementary but, it is a great way to convey your expectations and company image. Not only can a company handbook help protect your business from employment lawsuits, it will reduce workplace arguments. Everyone will be on the same page.
Some topics to cover are attendance, attire, performance evaluations, communications, benefits, compensation, and use of company property like computers, equipment, and information.
A firm foundation is the first step in maintaining an effective and proficient ompany. Reviewing and improving your organization’s infrastructures can increase productivity and the overall health of your outfit.
