Investing in Reactive Vs Proactive IT

If I were investing in IT for my business, I’d Invest in…

Not sure if that budget you set aside for business IT support services is quite doing its job? Tech might not be your strong suit, but it is ours, so it makes sense that we share the approach we’d take if we were in your shoes.

Most Australian businesses today couldn’t operate without reliable IT systems. IT is the driving force behind innovation, keeping company information safe, and just being able to service customers with minimal (or zero) disruptions. So, since we’re a managed service provider with a good bit of know-how on the subject, here’s what we would invest in if we were investing in IT right now.

Reactive IT

Businesses need a reactive IT strategy in place for when things don’t go to plan. Imagine, say, your server goes down or you fall victim to a scam. Instead of screaming loudly into a blank screen, have a team that specialises in reactive IT support for businesses that you can turn to.

Reactive IT mostly covers security and governance. This is where procedural security also comes into play. In other words, what set of steps should your business follow if a specific event happens? Getting a hold on this helps companies put policies into place. For example, guidance on how employees should manage their passwords.

Put some budget aside for your reactive IT strategy, and you’ll be able to count on:

• 24/7 business IT support services
• Fast fixes and less downtime
• Security and governance advice
• Reduced risks
• Better IT system reliability 
• Increased staff productivity 

Proactive IT

Businesses that are constantly putting out fires will forever be scrambling to get ahead of the competition. But getting proactive with your IT strategy means you can look forward to smooth-flowing processes and less stressed-out emails in your inbox. (Yes, even on a Monday morning.)

Investing in proactive IT means spending the budget on things like machine learning, automation and workflows. What’s great is that every business can improve their processes in this way - whatever the size - since they can all be ramped up or down depending on your business’ needs.

Proactive IT for business is all about preventing problems rather than fixing them. In addition to machine learning and automation, this can include things like security updates, antivirus software installation, and general ongoing maintenance.

What’s so great about being proactive?

• Increased efficiency
• Minimal to no downtime
• The ability to make data-informed decisions
• Around-the-clock productivity (even when you’re away from the desk)
• Operate via a strategy, not guesswork