There’s an old saying, “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.” and while this may be a bit extreme, it’s not far off when it comes to the use of technology in today’s business. To run a successful business, you must measure it, and only by measuring it will you know what to do to improve the performance of the business.
In today’s business landscape, technology serves as the backbone of organizational operations across all sectors. Whether it’s leveraging software solutions like those offered by InEight for construction project management (you can go through the Customer Success stories if you are interested) or embracing digital twin technologies for real-time operational monitoring, businesses rely on technological advancements to streamline processes and gain a competitive edge. However, amidst the rapid pace of technological innovation, many organizations overlook the critical aspect of evaluating how these tools impact employee productivity and, ultimately, their bottom line.
Importance of Auditing Your Business Technology
As you know, your business is your life. It is where you make your money, where your heart is. And the technology that you use to run your business is likely the most essential thing you own. The technology that you use to run your business also tends to be some of the most expensive, which is why you should audit your technology every year. Nowadays, business technology is the backbone that supports many business processes. Often, it does not work as expected and leads to significant losses for the enterprise. The fact is that the technology used by the business is only a fraction of the total technology solution that is available. Thus, the enterprise needs to ensure that the technology is being looked after in its best interest.
Conducting regular cybersecurity risk assessments and establishing IT Emergency Incident Response protocols are indispensable components of any comprehensive technology audit. These proactive measures empower businesses to identify vulnerabilities in their systems, anticipate potential breaches, and mitigate risks before they escalate into crises. By regularly evaluating the efficacy of their cybersecurity measures and establishing clear procedures for responding to emergencies, companies can not only protect sensitive data but also uphold customer trust and preserve their competitive edge in an increasingly interconnected world.
That said, technology is a massive part of our world, and it plays an integral role in the functioning of any business. So how does it work? Ranging from desktop and mobile devices to servers, laptops, and printers, technology is capable of doing everything from controlling lights and traffic signals to providing solutions for managing businesses across a wide range of industries (like hospitality, aerospace, law enforcement, etc.) in form of building property management software, automated payroll and processing invoices, and various other tools. However, one of the most common things we hear from our customers is that they can’t remember the last time their company audited its technology. This results from the endless stream of new technology that comes out every year and the lack of oversight when you don’t keep track of the latest technology.
How To Audit Your Business Technology
How often have you wanted to know how much data is flowing through your network, but the IT staff insists on not showing you? Or, have you been looking for a way to know if your company’s IT staff is being truthful when they say they have no data being sniffed from the outside? Well, you’re in luck. Technology is constantly changing, so it’s essential to stay on top of it. Technology can enable you to get the most out of your business if you use it effectively. When your technology is out of date, it can become a roadblock holding you back from reaching your business goals.
It is essential to evaluate your business technology to determine what needs to be updated, replaced, or upgraded. Technology is a crucial part of our daily lives. It is also one of the most critical areas of business that you can invest in. A poor IT strategy can put your company at a competitive disadvantage, and it is a failure to build a solid IT strategy that can make your company unprofitable. The major upgrades you can keep a look out for are CRM software, Enterprise Resource Planning, Business Intelligence, Marketing Automation, Data Centre infrastructure, and more. Most of these advanced software could be subscribed to or purchased online. As for the data centre, Walt Coulston or a similar professional could be consulted to initiate the process and get help to build the infrastructure. Your IT department and business data management and safety rely on the type of storage you have adopted, and a data centre could be one of the best options out there.
There are two critical pieces of information to consider in any audit: overall cost and actual usefulness. To start, you’ll want to think about what you need and what you expect to pay for it. If you tally up the cost of each program, you may see that a program that you paid $90 for last year has been replaced by something you can get for free. Or, you may find that the program you had used to perform a specific function is now impossible to use because you’ve been forced to upgrade a tool that you no longer need. In either case, ask yourself whether it makes sense to keep spending money on something that can’t be used in a way that provides value.
Whether it’s a computer, smartphone, or tablet, your business technology is vital to your day-to-day operations. But how do you know that the technology you are paying for is meeting the business needs? You can find it challenging to keep track of all of the technology you have, so it’s a good idea to get an audit on all of them.
