You can’t predict the future, but you can prepare for it. With so many technological advances and new innovations happening at any given moment, the reality is that your business will need to be flexible and ready to change if you want to stay relevant.
While some businesses may rely on a single, outdated technology or product as their primary revenue stream, others may find themselves relying on a variety of different services and products to generate revenue.
What does this mean for your IT strategy?
It means that now you not only need to consider what’s next in terms of emerging technologies and services, but also think about how those changes might impact the way your business is run today – and that’s where an IT strategy comes in handy.
Let’s explore why developing an IT strategy will help your business maintain its competitive advantage and thrive no matter what the future holds.
What is an IT Strategy?
An IT strategy is a plan that outlines the vision and goals for your company’s information technology. It includes the services you offer, how those services are provided, and how you’ll use technology in the future to help you grow your business.
It is a long-term roadmap for how technology will play an integral role in helping your business reach its goals. An IT strategy document is usually created by the Chief Information Officer (CIO), but if your business does not have a CIO, a managed service provider (MSP) can take on this role.
The Benefits of Having an IT Strategy
There are many benefits to having an IT strategy in place. One of the most obvious is that you’ll have a roadmap for how your business will operate in the future, which can help you prepare for new opportunities. For example, if you know that artificial intelligence (AI) tools will be an integral part of your business in the next five years, you may want to plan for them now so that you’re prepared when they emerge.
Additionally, by developing a good IT strategy in advance, you won’t have to scramble to find solutions when problems arise. You’ll know where to go and what resources are available when something goes wrong with your technology. And finally, by following an IT strategy today, even if it’s not perfect right out of the gate, you’ll be able to iterate on it over time as needs change.
And this brings us back to our original point. You can’t predict the future – but with an IT strategy in place, at least your business will be ready for anything!
What To Include in Your IT Strategy
While there are many ways to develop an IT strategy, there are a few key areas that you’ll want to focus on.
One of the most important things you’ll need to do is make sure your IT strategy is designed with your business in mind, meaning that your IT strategy aligns with your overall business strategy. To ensure business alignment, start by taking a look at what you’re trying to achieve for your company in the long term.
Is your goal to simply maintain what you have? Do you want to grow? What are the challenges that might come up along the way? And how will technology affect these challenges? Once you’ve answered these questions, it will be easier to create an appropriate IT strategy in line with your business goals.
You’ll also want to consider what types of technologies and services will help your company remain competitive over time. For example, if data analytics is important for your business, then you’ll want to incorporate it into the strategy template so that you can stay ahead of trends and changes in your industry.
Another thing that should be included in your IT strategy are contingencies – this is especially true if unexpected events happen in the future. For example, if a natural disaster or other event takes out one or more of your servers, then what would happen next? You’ll want to include specific strategies for keeping things afloat while waiting for new equipment or services.
How an MSP can help develop your IT strategy
While it is possible to create an IT strategy in-house, it may be a better choice to outsource it because your in-house team might have limited resources, skills, and expertise. If this is the case, then the first step in developing your IT strategy is to find a trusted IT partner like a managed service provider (MSP), who can help you develop your IT strategy and provide necessary services for your business.
MSPs are experienced professionals who understand what it takes to help your business succeed – whether that be through technology solutions or end-to-end IT support. They’ll work with you from the very beginning to identify any potential pain points and provide solutions as well as provide ongoing support as you establish your new IT strategy.
Because MSPs are committed to providing the best experience possible for their clients, they offer a variety of service packages to make your life easier. You can also opt for a managed service package which includes not only project-based support but also any other technical needs related to software licensing and upgrades, network architecture and design, hardware installation and deployment, security monitoring and maintenance.
An excellent MSP will work with you to create an IT strategy that will help keep your organisation looking forward at all times!
Partner with the best…
The future of work and business is one that is increasingly reliant on technology. In order to stay competitive, it’s essential that you have an IT Strategy in place to help you thrive. Not sure where to start? NetworkIQ can help you develop a sound IT Strategy, and make sure your business is set up for the future.