Your business’ IT challenges can range from skill, knowledge, and resource gaps to a reliance on dated systems and security issues. Some businesses become so used to their current processes that they don’t necessarily want to change anything about it, even though they know that ultimately it would be beneficial. This is evidenced by the fact that 76% of businesses see transforming their ways of working as a major challenge. IT plays a pivotal role in driving efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness, and so by embracing digital transformation, you can ensure that you are putting your business in the best position to thrive.  

So how can businesses tackle these issues? Here we look at several common IT challenges and the most accessible ways to overcome them.   

Skill, Knowledge, and Resource Gaps 

The demand for IT talent often outpaces the supply, making it challenging for businesses to find and retain skilled professionals. A worrying 66% of IT managers stated that they have skills gaps on their teams, and over half of IT professionals have said that they are likely to leave their jobs within the next year. Luckily, there are several ways that your business can combat these high figures. 

Attract Top Talent 

To attract top talent and bridge the IT skills gap, businesses must prioritise a multi-faceted approach. You firstly and mostly obviously need to develop a competitive compensation and benefits package. It is also important to highlight that when joining your company, they are not only bringing you up to speed but will also be given the opportunity to expand their own knowledge. Furthermore, demonstrating a dedication to cutting-edge technology and offering flexible work arrangements can set a company apart and make it an appealing destination for top IT talent. 

As for how to connect with potential candidates, attending professional networks and industry events, as well as employee referral programs and partnerships with IT-focused recruitment agencies can also be invaluable.  

Digital Upskilling 

As a company you could also invest in training and development programs to upskill existing employees. Digital upskilling is a positive for all involved; employers can increase general productivity and efficiency, while employees keep their skills up-to-date and can boost their earning potential. Additionally, the cost of training your employees would soon be offset by the value of the knowledge they can feed back into the company.  

Managed Service Providers  

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) can offer cutting-edge technology and specialists at the fraction of the cost. An MSP can assess your business’ current capabilities and provide you with tailored solutions using the most up-to-date technologies. By utilising them, you will also reduce the risk associated with a digital overhaul; the MSP will provide the most cost-effective solution while minimising or eliminating any downtime.   

Security Issues 

Cyber attacks have become more sophisticated in recent years, and many hackers rely on your business using an outdated system with weak defences against modern methods. Therefore, businesses need to be flexible and constantly update their cyber security defences to keep up with the continual race between security and threats. In order to promptly identify and reduce potential hazards, it is imperative to invest in the latest threat detection technologies. 

Process and Performance Issues 

Process and performance issues with IT legacy systems are common challenges that businesses face. Such systems often struggle to keep pace with modern demands, resulting in inefficiencies and bottlenecks. Outdated processes, rigid architectures, and a lack of scalability can hinder agility, and hardware limitations or insufficient support can lead to declining performance over time.  

To battle this, you can conduct a comprehensive assessment of bottlenecks, outdated processes, and performance gaps. Following this you can prioritise modernisation efforts, which may include rewriting or refactoring legacy code, migrating to cloud-based infrastructure, or integrating with newer systems. From there, investing in employee training and knowledge transfer will ensure that the team is well-equipped to manage and optimise the new systems. 

Dated, Disjointed, and Difficult to Manage Systems 

Outdated legacy systems can hinder innovation and agility, making it difficult for businesses to adapt to changing market conditions. Here are three ways that your business can upgrade its systems – remember too, that a managed service provider can take care of this for you.  

Use a Phased Approach 

Organisations with a through change management strategy are six times more likely to meet or exceed digital transformation objectives. This shows how important it is to develop a phased approach for system modernisation. This will minimise the disturbance that such a change will have on your business. For example, start small by initially replacing systems that aren’t business critical.  

Software Integration Tools 

Software integration tools play a crucial role in bridging the gap between legacy IT systems and modern applications. These tools enable businesses to connect, synchronise, and streamline data and processes across disparate systems, allowing for improved efficiency and functionality. They often provide connectors and adapters for legacy systems, enabling data exchange and communication between old and new technologies. Additionally, software integration tools offer features like data transformation, orchestration, and real-time monitoring, ensuring smooth interactions between systems and minimising downtime.  

Cost-benefit Analysis  

Conducting a cost-benefit analysis can help you and key stakeholders to get onboard with the investment in new technology. There will undeniably be a cost to overhauling your system. However, what many businesses don’t realise is the sheer amount that they already pay to maintain their old technology – legacy system maintenance can cost an organisation up to 15% in budget increase every year. The upkeep is kept high due to the high burden on a business’ IT department with constant troubleshooting issues. In comparison, with up-to-date technology you can be assured that problems would be minimal. Again, using an MSP can help to keep costs of switching as low as possible as well as providing you with a support team when you need it.  

Book an IT Health Check with 848.

At the 848 Group, we have a team of IT experts that have helped numerous organisations of different sizes embrace a modern workplace that’s efficient, secure and aligned to their business goals. We offer support and training, as well as continual service optimisation, performance management and support, so that businesses can get the most out of their IT. 

If you’re experiencing any IT challenges and are looking for a quick and stress-free way forward, then our IT health check may be a good option for you. Our IT health check is a comprehensive evaluation service provided by our IT professionals to assess the overall health and performance of your information technology infrastructure. This assessment helps you ensure that your IT systems are efficient, secure, and aligned with their goals.

To find out more, speak to a member of our team today.