According to some experts and analysts, the world of IT is entering a new era. Previously, similar points in history included when distributed computing replaced the mainframe in the 1970s, the introduction of the PC and x86 processing in the early 1980s, and the advent of the Internet in the late 1990s.
Today, businesses are witnessing the power and potential of the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud-based computing, Big Data, as well as analytics and business intelligence. However, in order to embrace the advantages these technological advances can bring, some sort of IT support is usually required.
So, to help make such a transition easier, consultancy company ProNetwork Solutions has created a list of the latest IT support tips 2016.
Adopt Simpler IT Solutions
With so many different technologies at your disposal, it is easy to get carried away with implementing as many of the latest and greatest solutions as possible. However, there is no need to make things so complicated, as converged IT offerings (building blocks) allow for a simple and straightforward approach.
This will pay dividends if and when you encounter problems. In the past, IT support was required to fix numerous devices that had been stitched together to create a total solution. But with simplification through converged offerings, you will be back up and running again more quickly.
Prioritise Security
It could be argued that 2015 was the year when cybercrime became the biggest threat to businesses with an IT footprint. Numerous security breaches and hacking incidents caused high-profile companies to lose the confidential information of clients and customers.
Therefore in 2016, even more time, money, and effort will be required for everything from network security to physical access security in order to curb the threat posed by online offenders. You will need IT support to identify the right tools and technologies for security purposes and to establish a plan of action should the worst-case scenario occur.
Get Ready for BYOD
With the introduction of new ‘enterprise ready’ devices and services, more and more companies will start developing Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) policies. While beneficial to most businesses, as it can keep costs down and is good for staff productivity, there are several potential issues with BYOD.
The first is security, as each and every device will need to comply with the organisation’s own steps and measures to prevent cybercrime and other forms of attack. Secondly, enterprise-ready devices now feature lighter footprints and more connectivity options, which existing IT infrastructure can’t always handle. So, from an IT support perspective, you will need to make sure your systems can deal with the demands of BYOD.
Adhere to Business Goals
Recent research from CIO UK and IDG UK found that while the majority of IT spending is typically used for “supporting the technology function,” CIOs believe more resources will be used to support business initiatives and drive innovation in the future. As a result, IT support could be required for both the technical and operational side of things.
For example, if a business wants to improve the capabilities of its product or service, IT support might need to step in andidentify certain areas that could be upgraded, but also justify the business benefits for doing so too.
