“A final piece of advice; two of
In every sector, firms are using IT in smart ways. If you’re not doing this, your competitors are”
How do you measure ROI on any changes you make? Nick: “Your business will suffer if a member of your staff can’t do their job because the system is slow or regularly crashes or they can’t work outside the office. Similarly, increased productivity through improved IT can help you reduce staff costs. “For example, a product such as
accounting software Xero carries out tasks that previously would have been done by bookkeepers. “And, from a finance perspective,
technology has never been more accessible. Ordinarily a start-up could commit a substantial capital sum to get hardware, but on a service model you keep that cash in the bank while paying monthly fees.”
Daniel: “The way we look at ROI is to start with what’s in place, what works
and doesn’t, and the total cost of ownership. Then, you consider the costs of any changes, and what productivity improvements you will realise. “For example, when we roll out
hosted telephony to a customer, we’re rolling out a service that gives them all the features and functionality of a telephone system but one that’s hosted in the cloud. The new system comes with automatic upgrades and the firm could do away with landlines and their associated costs.”
What are the dangers if you fail to update or things go wrong? Nick: “For a start, you may end up having to redo things and/or get tied into inappropriate long-term contracts. That’s why it’s important to find the right partner. In every sector, firms are using IT in smart ways. As I said, if you’re not doing this, your competitors are.
Microsoft’s operating systems are no longer supported – Windows 7 and the associated Server 2008 R2. If you still have Windows 7 your system is vulnerable, so seek guidance. In these days of GDPR, a breach of your system could land you with a hefty sanction.”
Daniel: “If you do get things wrong, at best you waste money and at worst you threaten the viability of your business. Without the right data, the first risk is that your firm can’t trade. Remember, improvements mean you could increase productivity, make your operation more efficient and have a more reliable infrastructure to support customers and users. “Also on a positive note, the UK and Scottish governments are committed to spreading access to superfast broadband nationwide and there is funding to help firms take advantage. In particular, both governments are keen to help SMEs and rural businesses.”
Daniel Keegan, CommsFM
www.glasgowchamberofcommerce.com 35
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