Upgrading your business’ IT systems can be a tedious but necessary job. Having the right software and systems in place can mean the difference between smooth running operations and slow, sluggish processes that leave your customers less than satisfied. If you think your business needs an IT upgrade, the tips below can help.

Although, if your business is not IT-focused, it might be difficult for you to handle the upgrades all on your own, let alone make sense of it. If you have a dedicated IT team for your business who can take care of this, then you’re good to go. If not, all the technical jargon may get you muddled and leave you with no solution in sight. If such is the case, then many IT companies in Melbourne, and in other places too, can come to your aid. They can understand your current systems and software, and help you with the upgrades. Enlisting their services could be something to consider for your business. Nevertheless, these tips could give you something to start with.

1. Use the Cloud

Cloud computing is a software model that enables shared access to data, storage, networks, and applications. This model can greatly minimize tasks and maintenance costs in your business, while streamlining processes and providing increased accessibility for your staff. There are many ways you can migrate to the cloud, whether it’s for data storage or networking. Some of the more popular forms of cloud computing are Dropbox, Slack, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Microsoft Office 365.

2. Update Your Software and Hardware

Outdated hardware/software can cause processes to run sluggishly and inefficiently, and this could be hurting your business’s productivity. Evaluate your computer hardware and IT systems to see whether they are running correctly or if could do with an upgrade. Your business might be purchasing software from a company that does its own continuous development improvement. If you notice things are getting slow you can always contact them for a new update or offer suggestions for improvement of the system. Software updates and replacements are essential, too, as failing to do so can leave you vulnerable to faults or cyber threats. If you’re unsure about how to keep your software updated, it’s worth doing some research.

3. Invest in Cybersecurity

One of the biggest threats to businesses are cyber threats like viruses, phishing scams, or malware. To ensure that you’re protected and not vulnerable to threats, you should frequently update your anti-virus and anti-malware software. For added security, it’s worth enlisting the help of IT experts like Kortek Solutions as they can set you up with the appropriate protection specific to your business.

4. Modernize Your Website

A functioning website is essential in today’s business world. For many, it is the front of house service for customers and clients, and it therefore needs to be modern and updated. If you are using old designs, or if your site looks clunky and outdated, you could end up losing a lot of potential customers. To ensure your website is running at its best, make sure it loads quickly, is easy to navigate, and that it is optimized for mobile phone use. You may want to seek help from professional web designers to make your site as sleek as possible.

5. Get Centralized CRM

Depending on the nature of your business, centralized customer relationship management (CRM) systems can also be a crucial part of upgrading your business IT. Rather than relying on tedious spreadsheets or databases with information that is spread across different locations, centralized CRM allows you to have a holistic view of your customers because it pulls data from different sources. This provides you with a single comprehensive view of your customer that can improve your delivery of service and meet their needs.

6. Upgrade Your Broadband

This might sound like an obvious thing to do, but some businesses may not be aware that their broadband needs an upgrade. To determine whether it’s necessary in your case, establish whether you have slow or unstable connections or slow page load speeds. The consequence of poor broadband can be great, especially if you or your team are doing conference calls or virtual presentations that rely on broadband connectivity. If you need to update your broadband, check for fiber options or a business broadband package.

Infographic created by Donnelley Financial Solutions, a data room provider