Is It Time for an IT Assessment?

Your IT system needs to work seamlessly at all levels of operation. Creating a multi-faceted IT infrastructure is no easy feat and things can get complicated very quickly. This is why many companies utilise the skills of outside IT specialists. They have the expertise to assess the strengths and weaknesses of IT systems and suggest solutions to improve productivity, efficiency and profitability. However, how do you know when it’s the right time to ask for help?

A proper assessment is a three-step process that begins with a look at your current state, looks at where you want to go in the future, and then identifies where the gaps are in that road to success. It should take in to account people, process and technology.

In order to decide whether it is the right time for your business to carry out an IT assessment and to help you get started, consider the following questions.

• How confident are you of your ability to demonstrate compliance?
• Is your ageing infrastructure holding you back?
• Do you have a clear picture of your overall security setup and how it relates to industry best practices?
• Is my IT investor ready?
• Are you considering moving more functions into the cloud?
• Is your business continuity and disaster recovery plan still fit for purpose??
• Is your IT investor ready?

Chances are, your IT environment has developed gradually, and you haven’t had time to consider all the above fully. Naturally, as with all businesses, issues can emerge over time. However, sometimes it can be hard to determine what is and isn’t working. Therefore, to gain clarity and perspective, it is often best to utilise the skills from an external specialist

What will an IT assessor do?

If you schedule an IT assessment, the assessor will need full access to all networks, facilities and other information in order to carry out tests and analyse all digital data. This is the only way an assessor can give a well-rounded assessment and deliver a solution to improve your IT infrastructure.

Some important areas that will be analysed during an IT assessment include:

• Tech management
• Security
• Mobile device management
• Network design
• Server infrastructure
• Admin policies
• Network software

Don’t panic if the IT assessment reveals some major gaps and errors in your IT system. Pin pointing these rifts and putting plans in place to resolve them will help your business evolve and may generate new leads. The information you garner from an IT assessment will help boost productivity, enhance security and increase profitability.