Sourcing an Information technology (IT) company is obviously a very important question, both for established businesses and for entrepreneurs who are just setting out the future of their business in 2022 and the coming years. Clearly, it is highly advantageous to have a single IT company that is able to take care of all your specific requirements.
In order to find out whether this is possible in your case, you need to assess your IT requirements and then enquire at companies that offer a diverse range of IT services.
In making your assessment, you should take into account what general IT services you will need, and where the emphasis of your own IT requirements lies. You must also consider the direction in which you are moving, and what future IT facilities this trend may eventually need.
For instance, in seeking an IT company in South Africa, a business more focused on production may need more administrative and monitoring tools, whereas an entity focusing on marketing will want more instruments for effective and rapid communication.
There is therefore a clear-cut differentiation to be made between general IT requirements and those that are specifically tailored to fit in with your own mode of business and intended expansion.
General requirements
In the first place your business will need a reliable tech support entity. When you have problems or breakdowns, you need fast and dependable technicians to carry out repairs, maintenance, and upgrades.
Availability of file servers may be a problem if you prefer not to use cloud-based storage services. In this case, your IT provider should be able to provide the scope of services you need.
You will also need a secure and fast-working email facility with stable data storage capacity.
Optimally, you should have access to a secure and client-specific cloud storage space, also known as a ‘private cloud’, where your varieties of data can be safely held and accessed securely from anywhere.
If you are often on the road, you will need access to a virtual desktop, which enables you to view data on any of your physical computers without having them with you at the time.
Your IT company should have in-house expertise in data security, both to prevent hacking attacks and data leaks, but also to take rapid remedial steps should these occur during the rise of cybersecurity, cyber-attacks which have reportedly cost South Africa up to approximately R2.2 billion annually.
You will also want to be sure that data backups are readily available when you experience crashes, loss, or theft of devices. A good IT company in South Africa will ensure that your data remains available when these cybercrimes or other misfortunes occur.
The IT company you choose should also be able to take care of all your telephone and networking requirements. Ideally, you will want access to cloud-based communications technologies, with easy modes of conferencing, administration, and information storage functions.
In the context of the local environment, any up-to-date IT company in South Africa should dispose of options for keeping you online and connected when loadshedding happens or towers go down.
Ideally, your one-stop IT company will provide services in business intelligence, management information, customised system development and business consulting.
Also check the variety of industry solutions offered by your IT entity, as this provides insight into the level of experience it brings along when offering its services to your business. You can request your IT company to perform an IT audit on your business at no cost. With this, it will be possible for you to identify focus areas for your business.
At ASG, it is possible to receive a free IT audit with solutions customised to your business requirements.
Also read: 9 Reasons why being flexible in business brings success
