5 Signs Your Business IT Systems are Unsustainable (and How to Fix It)

Are your business IT systems unsustainable? If so, it’s important to fix the problem now. 

Few things are more frustrating than dealing with out-of-date business legacy systems and applications. IT support for small businesses is on the rise, mainly because it's essential in an environment that continues to modernise digitally, regardless of industry.   

As businesses modernise and gravitate to cloud platforms, we've discovered that business leaders and team managers should not have to take on the sole responsibility of acting as IT support. Not only are these responsibilities frustratingly out of their scope, but it's time-consuming and counter productive.  

If you find that your current IT systems are not supporting the growth of your business, you're not alone. Read on for more information about how to recognise unsustainable IT systems and what you can do to fix them. 

5 signs that your IT systems are unsustainable - and what to do next

So, how can you recognise unsustainability in your IT systems?  

Often, recognising unsustainability simply means stepping back and taking a closer look at how your day-to-day operations run. If your management team is taking on far too much from an IT perspective, it's a sure-fire sign that it’s time to upgrade.  

Here are five signs to look out for: 

1. You’re experiencing security breaches  

Small business owners are never too small of a target for cybercriminals - and without a doubt, one of the biggest signs that your IT systems are unsustainable is that you're experiencing security breaches.   

An IT security breach can bring business operations to a screeching halt, and it's a scary, overwhelming, potentially reputation-ruining occurrence. Plus, all businesses must understand that cyber-security is not a "one-and-done" situation.   

That’s why it's crucial to avoid allowing security updates and management to fall into the hands of those who don't have the necessary experience with that level of maintenance.

2. You’re suffering from connectivity issues  

We all operate in a digital world. Even if you don't host a hybrid or remote work environment, you still utilise components of that setting, such as Zoom and Google Meet, or the most necessary aspect of modern business operations: WiFi.   

So, if you’re finding that your meetings are taking longer than you'd like, mainly because you struggle with technical difficulties and choppy calls, it's time to consider outside IT support to fix your connectivity issues.  

3. There’s a drop in employee productivity 

A decrease in productivity, primarily among your best employees, is likely a tech-related issue. If you’re noticing a drop in employee productivity, it may coincide directly with the ineffectiveness of your business systems and applications.  

As a result, not only can your employees become easily frustrated with slow-moving tech, but they can't complete their work. So, what’s the solution? As well as the possibility of outsourcing your IT, it’s important to offer your employees a chance to speak on the topic first, as this will give you a good idea of the steps necessary to fix it.   

4. Your business is growing  

We’re not saying growth is a bad thing - quite the opposite, in fact! However, while your company's growth certainly is a good thing, it can quickly become a disaster when your IT systems can't keep up.  

Not only will management get stuck troubleshooting, but they won't have the time to focus on scaling other aspects of the business either. Keep in mind as your company grows, so do the complexities in your IT infrastructure - which is why, when it comes to business growth, professional IT help is absolutely necessary.   

5. You don’t have a backup plan  

If you have no idea how you'll recover client or business data in the event of a hard drive crash, you need to enlist the help of external IT support services immediately.

Data loss can ruin your company when it comes to revenue and reputation, which is why small businesses need a backup and recovery plan. It's simply not worth the risk of losing customers due to a lack of trust in your company.   

How Inflection Point can help make your IT systems sustainable   

If you’re struggling with unsustainable IT systems, it could be time to think about outsourcing. IT support for small businesses is an essential piece of the small business owner puzzle - and letting a knowledgeable, reputable, outside company like Inflection Point deal with your IT issues is the best move you can make for your outdated, unsustainable IT systems and your company.   

We offer fully-managed IT services when you need them, including maintenance and 24/7 support. So, if you're ready to take your IT to the next level and remove the burden from your management team, contact Inflection Point today to find out more about how we can help.