Start By Assessing Your Needs

Not every business has the same tech needs. A small accounting firm will have much different requirements than an auto shop. With your company's budget on the line, you don't want to make the mistake of purchasing technology that you simply do not need. You don't have to be a computer whiz with a complex understanding of how many chips reside on your CPU wafer, but you do need to have a clear understanding of what you need your tech to do. If you are really a technophobe, it could be a good expenditure to hire an IT consultant to help you make these initial decisions. Investing in tech you have no use for can bust your budget, whereas not getting what you need can have profound effects on your business's productivity.

Be Specific in Choosing Hardware

If you're just starting up, hardware purchases are likely to cost up to half your IT budget, so you want to make sure you're making the right choices for your business. Again, your needs are individual. A local beauty salon with six employees has no reason to be looking at a desktop computer with a CPU that is capable of running complex algorithms or a video chip that would make a professional gamer salivate. They probably don't need to consider mobility either, since employees don't like to telecommute. Cater your purchases to suit your business. If you've been in business for a while and have existing hardware, you need to reassess whether your devices continue to be adequate for your needs. There's no need to upgrade your hardware as a matter of course, but if your business has grown or if you've made significant changes in how you function, you may need more or different hardware that can better facilitate your requirements. For example, if your business has made the move toward allowing more of your employees to work from home, you'll need more mobile devices such as laptops or tablets and fewer desktop computers. 

Don't Skimp on Security

Cybersecurity has become a nearly $200 billion dollar industry, and for good reason. Every year the number of data breaches is growing with millions of individual records being stolen. Regardless of the size of your business, keeping your sensitive information and that of your customers safe should be high on your list of IT priorities.

At a bare minimum, you need to invest in the strongest firewall possible and the best antivirus software you can afford. Even if you're happy with your current anti-virus program, make certain that it is up to date. Additionally, take steps to secure your server, update your password protocols and invest in software that targets email security. Every day small businesses make the mistake of neglecting their cybersecurity and pay steep prices for doing so.

If you don't have an IT team, hiring an IT consultant can be a great way to make certain that you are spending your budget wisely. Know your business's particular technology needs, invest in hardware that is appropriate to your requirements and never neglect cybersecurity. If you use your IT budget to maximize these areas, you'll be well on your way to optimizing the ways that tech can help your business succeed. 

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