Do you feel your company is not being strategic? Too many IT companies only provide support services, rather than being a strategic advisor to their clients. Yet, as companies grow and work to be more competitive in the marketplace, they are missing real opportunities to leverage technology to be more successful. To do that, you need a solid IT strategy.

Here are 5 immediate ways to be more strategic in your IT:

1. Dig into your processes. When being strategic is the goal, prioritizing business processes is key. Organizational growth requires collaboration on activities that accomplish a specific goal. If you’re a manufacturer, focus on the manufacturing process and the software needed to operate efficiently. Focus less on the day-to-day tasks and more on leveraging technology to enhance your processes.

2. Identify what doesn’t bring strategic value to your company. Tasks like patching servers, providing network support and moving email to the cloud are great examples of functions that could be easily outsourced without giving up intellectual capital. Freeing up employee time can move your IT towards collaborating strategically on business initiatives and provide a unique benefit.

3. Examine your storage needs. Data should be stored appropriately so that you aren’t using high cost storage for things that very rarely get looked at. Look closely at your storage needs and work with the departments in the organization to understand what storage is required for day-to-day business and what storage is there due to a retention policy. Use fast-acting storage for data that is used frequently and move stagnant data from on-premise to off-site for a more strategic solution.

4. Get compliance right the first time. Getting compliance right the first time will save time, hassles and headaches in the future. If you do business in a regulated industry, specialized compliance tools are essential to saving you the time and energy spent on compliance and protect you from costly fines. It can be very difficult to really understand and use compliance software effectively. We recommend that you work with an IT partner that can help you select the right tools and maintain them going forward.

5. Scrutinize costs. From a strategic perspective, it’s important to continuously review your big-ticket expenses. Having the right providers for recurring services like telecom and internet is crucial. For the internet, especially, a solid Internet backbone drives the majority of your business and you can’t operate strategically without it. It’s also imperative to compare actual costs to your budget and re-forecast if needed.

To leverage IT more effectively, you need to be strategic with your IT. Paying attention to these 5 steps help you come out of the day-to-day tasks and focus on the specific strategies that will make the best use of technology for your company.

Contact us to help you create a strategic advantage for your company.

If you’re planning to attend the In Business Expo & Conference, stop by and see us in person.

The Resource Hub

Get Complete Managed Services Insights

Visit our Resource Center for up-to-date news and stories for technology and business leaders.

Employee Spotlight: Nick Tesi

Employee Spotlight: Nick Tesi

This month we are shining a spotlight on one of the outstanding members of the Applied Tech team, Nick Tesi. Nick brings a wealth of experience and a diverse skill set to his role, making him an invaluable asset to our organization. Nick’s journey to his current position as vCIO and Account Manager at Applied Tech is nothing short of remarkable. His career path has included various roles such as...

Password Managers: Simple, Necessary Protection For You and Your Business

Password Managers: Simple, Necessary Protection For You and Your Business

The standard internet user will access several websites and applications on any given day. Each one of these different accounts will highlight the importance of not repeating passwords, and many even require a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. The trouble with this, however, is that if we were to have a unique password for each online account that meets the complexity requirements,...

Employee Spotlight: Tyler Chatterton

Employee Spotlight: Tyler Chatterton

This month, we are proud to shine the spotlight on Tyler Chatterton, a valued member of the Applied Tech team serving as a Marketing Specialist. Tyler’s journey into Applied Tech was paved by his roles as a Digital Marketing Specialist and later as a Digital Marketing Team Lead at the Wisconsin Innovation Service Center. These experiences not only honed his skills but also seamlessly prepared...

Applied Tech Achieves Remarkable MSP Rankings in Wisconsin and Colorado

Applied Tech Achieves Remarkable MSP Rankings in Wisconsin and Colorado

Denver, CO – August 2023 – Applied Tech emerges as a true standout, securing the #2 MSP ranking in Wisconsin and #3 ranking in Colorado in the 2023 Channel Futures MSP 501 list. This remarkable recognition underscores Applied Tech’s unwavering commitment to delivering cutting-edge managed and co-managed IT services and cybersecurity solutions. The Channel Futures MSP 501 list stands as a beacon...

Three IT Service Techs Working

Move Forward with IT Services for Business

Use managed services for small and mid-sized businesses that help you reach your goals.

Work With Us