The Most Common IT Challenges for UK Small Businesses

Small businesses in the UK face various IT challenges, some of which are a lot more common than others. To deal with any kind of IT related issues, you first need to know what to look for.

• Limited Budgets for IT Infrastructure

Ideally all companies, even the small ones, should have enough money to budget for a decent IT system. But this is not an ideal world, and often having the right kind of IT infrastructure from the get go is just not feasible for small businesses juggling limited IT budgets.

• Cybersecurity Concerns

Small businesses are the most at risk of a cyber-attack, mostly because of the challenge listed above. Many hackers and scammers know that small businesses don’t have the best defence and so they go out of their way to target them.

• Lack of IT Expertise

Very few small businesses have a dedicated IT staff. This can end up resulting in the company not having the correct type of IT management, which can in turn result in various challenges such as opening the company up to certain unwanted risks.

• Data Backup and Recovery

Data loss happens when businesses aren’t secure or when their IT is improperly managed. It also happens when the company neglects its backup systems, which often get forgotten when there are other tasks demanding attention. Not having a business continuity plan in place can have dire consequences.

• Scalability and Future-Proofing

Finally, there is the lack of scalability and future proofing. Small businesses are often so busy trying to get through the daily work load and to stay afloat, that any thoughts of IT scalability and future-proofing goes out of the window. Adapting to future changes can be hard if there is no plan in place, especially when budget constraints and a lack of knowledge are standing in the way.

Actionable Solutions

The various IT challenges might sound a bit like a mountain to overcome, but with these easy solutions they don’t have to be. Here is what you as a small business owner can do to overcome these challenges.

• Prioritise IT Investments

You don’t need the biggest budget, you just need to be dedicated to putting aside some money to put towards your IT investments. You can also look at affordable solutions such as using Cloud based services.

• Implement Robust Cybersecurity Measures

Again, you don’t have to bankrupt yourself with expensive security programmes, just become obsessive about using strong passwords and encryption, and use tough firewalls. You can also train employees on the best cybersecurity practices.

• Outsource IT Support

Reputable IT companies know what they are doing and they often have an affordable service created just for small companies. Shop around for an external IT service provider and find out about what they can offer you.

• Establish Regular Data Backups

As for your business continuity needs, setting up an automated data backup system that stores data frequently is an effective way to protect your work and your customer information. Having both an off-site and a Cloud-based solution is a must.

• Choose Scalable IT Solutions

And lastly, when you are setting up your IT infrastructure, you should opt for the kind that will be able to grow with your business. The system should be flexible and adaptable, and it should be able to effectively meet your needs.

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As a small business owner, you don’t have to navigate your IT setup on your own. Instead, you can give us a call. At 24/7 IT Services, we have a list of IT solutions, including IT infrastructure, VoIP and IT security, which will work perfectly for your company.

The post How Small Businesses in the UK can Overcome IT Challenges appeared first on 247 IT Services.

Making sure that you invest your company money wisely, and get a flexible but robust IT infrastructure setup from the get-go, is the best way to build a long lasting system that doesn’t need your constant attention or maintenance.

When deciding on a new network or when upgrading your existing one, it helps to at least know the basics. This way, when your IT company starts using terms like VPN, packet, and multiprotocol, you at least know more or less what they are referring to.

Understanding Networking Solutions

Networking solutions essentially describe the connecting of devices, applications, and users to the web and to each other. This connection streamlines the work process, and it allows users (employees) to easily share information and tasks as they get through their work day.

Naturally, any IT infrastructure you select has got to keep up with your demands and it also needs to be reliable and fast. Any delays can slow down communication and end up affecting day to day efficiency, which is obviously the last thing you want. 

The Types of Networking Solutions

There are three main types of networking solutions: SD-WAN, MPLS, and the one that you are probably the most familiar with, which is the traditional LAN.

1. SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network)

SD-WAN uses virtual infrastructure to connect users to each other and to the web, no matter what their geographical distance is. SD-WAN networks are centralised and they are popular for many reasons, not just because of its Cloud based servers. Some of the benefits of opting for a SD-WAN network include cost efficiency, improved performance, robust security, uncomplicated extensions, better real-time performance of applications on Microsoft 365, and easy management.  

• MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching)

MPLS is designed to allow businesses to build customised and intelligent networks. It is used to direct data via labels rather than using network addresses. This shortens the data path which allows for the creation of private wide area networks. These networks are beneficial because they are reliable, offer predictable performance, and experience less network congestion. The downside of this network is that it does not scale well and it can be expensive if you are setting the network up from scratch.

• LAN (Local Area Network)

LAN networks are perfect for small, local environments.  These networks are designed for office and home spaces, where the devices and users are seated closer together. LAN networks are physical setups, with cables and hardware used to connect everything and everyone, although one of the newer developments in the world of LAN is virtual networks. Some of the benefits of LAN networks include easy and simple setups, limited costs, a high data transfer rate, and limited errors. Some disadvantages include limited geographical reach, a constant need to upgrade, and increased maintenance.

Basic Factors to Consider When Choosing your Network

When you are considering a network, whether you are building one from scratch or creating a brand new one, these are the factors to keep in mind.

• Your business size and potential need to scale
• The geographical distribution of offices or locations (which is important for remote workers)
• Your bandwidth and performance requirements
• Your security and compliance needs
• Your budget constraints

There will more than likely be more factors than this that will affect your network option, but if you have this information on hand right from the get go, it will help direct you to the right option. 

* Need assistance with your business networking and overall IT infrastructure? We can help. At 24/7 IT Services, we create all kinds of networks for our clients. Contact us today to find out more.

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