Connect With Your Ottawa IT Service Company at (613) 828-1384
It’s common knowledge that every major hardware company has their own expertise; Black & Decker makes great drills, and likewise, Makita makes quality handsaws.
That’s why it would be unwise to invest entirely in one provider for every tool you use. It just makes more sense to get what you need from the company that does it best. You can spot a good toolbox because it has a range of brand names, each representing the best product in its class.
This kind of strategy shouldn’t end with your toolbox; you should apply it to every aspect of your business, and that includes IT.
Who’s taking care of your IT? One of the local IT companies in Ottawa, ON? Or just someone on your crew that’s more skilled with a sledgehammer than they are with a computer?
Settling for an outdated form of IT support, or just ineffective IT support, in general, is like trying to use the wrong tool for a given task. It will slow you down, cost you money, and make your life more frustrating.
You owe it to yourself and your crew to make sure you’re getting the best IT support you can. Doing so will deliver a number of benefits:
1. Technology Lifecycle Management
You know when a backhoe or a crane is past its prime – can you say the same of the business technology you use? That old desktop computer you’ve been using for years is probably holding you back, but you may not have noticed.
While the mere existence of a newer OS or new model in the line-up doesn’t mean you should automatically upgrade, it is an indication that you will have to do so sometime soon. When a newer version is released, it means the clock is running out on how long the providers will continue to support the version you’re using.
Furthermore, you may be noticing that your competitors have far surpassed your capabilities and are able to provide clients with features and products that you are unable to offer. If you are finding it hard to keep up with your competitors, it might be time to consider how new technology can enhance the work you do.
Working with one of your local IT companies in Ottawa, ON allows you to outsource the management of your technology – you never have to think about the age of your IT again. Everything is kept in optimal operating shape.
2. Harness Newer Technologies
At a certain point, any hammer is about as good as another. Newer models may keep coming out, but it’s a legacy tool with a simple task – you don’t have to upgrade your hammer every few years.
This isn’t the case for IT. New innovations are rolled out on a regular basis, and while some are just gimmicks, others can make a real difference in how you get your work done if properly applied. IT companies in Ottawa, ON can help you do just that.
Case in point? Mobile technology. Mobile devices have made it easier and easier to get work done while on the go. Laptops, tablets, and smartphones are a simple way to share and review data, stay in touch with employees, and more while on the road. As you well know, a lot of your firm’s work is on the road and at job sites.
Having your staff use their own personal devices for work means that you don’t have to pay for the technology they’d be using otherwise. Depending on the size of your practice, that could mean potential savings of thousands of dollars that would have been necessary to pay for tablets and work phones.
Furthermore, by allowing your staff to use their technology also means there’s no pesky learning curve to overcome with new devices. Instead of having to ensure your staff knows how to use the hardware at work, they can simply use the phone, tablet and/or laptop they’re already familiar with.
3. Migrate To The Cloud
At one point, just 16% of surveyed contractors in a Sage survey stated feeling that cloud computing was important to their business. Five years later, Sage asked the same question and found that 85% of surveyed contractors had already implemented or were planning to implement a cloud solution for their firm. One of the best ways to do so is with assistance from one of the local IT companies in Ottawa, ON.
The cloud allows you to connect and view job sites remotely from a single cloud platform. Depending on the scope of your firm and how far apart job sites are, this could save you hours every day in travel time, allowing you instead to check in on sites from the comfort of your office (or wherever else you have an Internet connection).
Furthermore, while some members of your team, depending on their experience and skill set, may be an expert with your legacy software, what about the wider community of subcontractors you have to work with?
The cloud can help with this as well – new centralized project management platforms bring everyone together in one intuitive cloud location. Now, instead of needing to be trained on unintuitive, outdated software, your entire team can make use of a modern, user-friendly cloud platform.
Like this article? Check out the following blogs to learn more:
How Much Should A Small Business Spend On Information Technology?