Everybody was caught flat footed by the countdown to New Zealand’s first Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020, as many businesses rushed to set-up their technology infrastructure to enable ‘remote working’ for staff. Unfortunately, for some, a few chickens have come home to roost.
Here at OneHQ, like everybody, we’re burning the candle at both ends because it is the end of year rush, but also in some instances we are working with some clients nationally to fix issues related to security and remote working systems.
This comes as no surprise because even prior to Covid019 the reactive approach towards IT infrastructure spend and planning was often based on a needs must strategy – IT is often a grudge spend. Covid-19 was so left field that a lot of companies were, and continue to be, caught out. The consequences are holes in network security, money wasted on unnecessary or wrong technology and various technical issues that hurt a company’s ability to serve its customers.
You only have to look at the media to know that New Zealand businesses are enduring a high rate of ransomware attacks from offshore parties that have realised that many Kiwi companies have been lax when it comes to the security of their technology and data.
This highlights the ‘needs must’ thinking around IT. If we can move away from fighting fires and from seeing technology as a necessary evil, towards a future, goal-orientated mindset, we will find that good IT planning not only save money, it can be invaluable for company growth.
During my career in IT, most of the companies I have spoken to have not given any thought to aligning their technology needs with their business plans for one, two, three or even five years ahead.
I also find that so many businesses I talk with believe that they know how their systems and processes work. It’s only when we do an audit that they discover it isn’t anything like they thought.
If you think you might be operating in reactive mode when it comes to your IT infrastructure and spending, consider taking the following steps to move your from reactive and vulnerable to proactive and future-proofed.
- Develop a technology roadmap
A technical roadmap incorporates a broad range of products and solutions. More importantly, it comes down to your goals for the next one, two to five years.
A roadmap helps the business use technology and enhanced software capabilities to achieve their goals rather than just as a solution to a problem.
An ad hoc reactive response racks up the costs quickly and doesn’t allow the business to forecast spending or set a timeline for implementing different systems and up-to-date security features.
- Conduct a technical assessment
A technical assessment means that key stakeholders of the business sit down together with the team at OneHQ to understand their technology needs in line with their business objectives.
This should include mapping all processes and how you can solve problems or improve outcomes using technology.
- Stay flexible
Your IT solutions should be designed and implemented with flexibility in mind.
“For example, many companies still insist they need onsite servers. Instead of buying a new onsite server at a considerable cost, consider installing a hybrid model that will allow you to migrate to the cloud if your needs change.
“This may include ensuring that the security protocols on work laptops enable your staff to work from anywhere as if they were in the office, rather than just from one or two locations.
One of the more significant issues coming out of the scramble to get ready for the Covid-19 Level Four lockdown in March this year is that some companies have boxed themselves into a way of working that isn’t necessarily the best for them.
Backtracking is always costly. It’s better to align your technology spend with your business goals and opt for flexible solutions that allow you to adjust to conditions.
PROFILE
Affero Ventures (founder); investing, ventures, consulting. OneHQ (founder), Warren Hughes is the Executive Director at OneHQ, a company of business technology people who understand business, and who are available to simplify the complexities of how you work and interact with your clients.
