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6 Proven Ways to Improve IT Efficiency and Minimize Downtime in Your Business

Tier 3 IT Solutions

Today’s Edmonton companies can’t afford the luxury of IT inefficiencies or system downtime. Whether you’re running a growing startup or an established SMB, the need to improve IT efficiency has never been more important for sustainable success—but how exactly do you go about doing that?

Let’s explore six proven strategies that can help your Alberta business stay competitive and productive, ranked from lowest to highest effort required.

1.     Update Your Software Regularly

63% of respondents to a 2021 Kapersky study said they believed there was no harm in delaying update installation on their devices. The reasons behind this hesitation—being in the middle of tasks, desire to continue using the device, or patches taking too long, to name a few—probably won’t surprise you.

Update fatigue could also be to blame. OS upgrades tend to be rolled out monthly, with some applications being refreshed on a weekly basis. This can make it hard to see the ‘point’, especially given the disruption the process can cause at seemingly always inopportune times. After all, how different could this week’s update be to the last?

While it might be tempting to postpone updates until they feel more “worthwhile,” this approach can actually create more problems than it solves.

Ignoring updates means your business is missing out on:

  • Performance optimization with each upgrade
  • Access to new features that could streamline operations
  • Critical cyber security patches that protect your business
  • Improved compatibility with other business tools

All of which can seriously impact your teams’ IT efficiency and security posture.

Although it’s true that software updates can be time-consuming, these days, there’s no reason they have to eat into your workday. Set them to install automatically during off-hours (when you work with Edmonton-based IT services, this’ll be taken care of for you), and you’ll never have to dismiss a reminder again.

2.     Implement Automation Solutions

Let’s stay on the topic of automation for a minute. If you’re looking to improve IT efficiency, it’s the simplest way to transform time-consuming, motivation-draining manual processes into a streamlined part of your employees’ workflows.

Yes, it requires some initial setup effort, but automation is a classic “set it and forget it” solution that pays dividends in the long run.

In particular, automation can make an immediate impact to:

  • Data entry
  • Employee onboarding
  • Regular data backups
  • Routine maintenance tasks
  • System monitoring and alerts
  • Password resets and account management

According to Salesforce, 9 in 10 workers report that automation tools help improve their productivity and leave them feeling more satisfied in their roles. 8 in 10 also credit automation with an increased ability to take on more challenging projects and deepen customer relationships—and it’s a sentiment that’s shared by employers and business leaders across the board.

The evidence is undeniable: get it right, and automation can be the fast-track to an optimized business.

3.     Talk to Your Team

Success in IT isn’t just about technology—it’s about the people using it.

Don’t assume the latest, most expensive tools will have the biggest impact on your business. Schedule regular feedback sessions with your employees to understand what their IT experiences and challenges really are. What’s working well? What do they dislike? Which of your current tools aren’t they using, and which would they like to be?

This human-centric approach to IT support in Alberta ensures that any changes you implement actually serve their intended purpose. You can make hundreds of changes you think would best improve IT efficiency, but they could prove to do entirely the opposite if you haven’t taken your specific end users’ needs into account.

Consider establishing:

4.     Modernize Your BYOD Policies

As remote and hybrid work becomes the norm, having clear Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies is essential for maintaining cyber security while supporting flexibility.

Allowing employees to use devices they’re already familiar with has been linked with enhanced job performance as well as employer attractiveness, making BYOD an appealing option for engaging and retaining talent. In order to avoid data breaches, downtime, and distractions, however, your policies must balance safety with usability.

Ensure your IT remains both accessible and protected by crafting your BYOD policy with the following in mind:

  • Device registration requirements
  • Security standards and protocols
  • Access limitations
  • Support procedures
  • Data privacy guidelines

5.     Test Your Disaster Recovery Strategy

When it comes to minimizing downtime, having a well-tested disaster recovery plan is non-negotiable. Despite most saying they feel ready for the worst, one-sixth of SMB executives couldn’t tell you their recovery time objectives. The estimates of those who can rarely align with the actual recovery timeline possible with their current IT setup.

There’s only one way to ensure your business doesn’t fall victim to a non-existent safety net. Your recovery procedures must be tested, and they must be tested often. This should include:

  • Regular backup verifications
  • System restoration drills
  • Network failover testing
  • Employee response training
  • Documentation updates

Though this takes a high spot on our list effort-wise, the actual level of work required depends on how good your recovery strategy is. If you a) don’t have one, b) can’t find it, or c) it turns out to be completely outdated, then there might be a fair way to go to improve IT efficiency in your business.

6.     Migrate to Microsoft 365

As many as 70% of SMB employees collaborate with colleagues in different locations on a daily basis—and that requires reliable technology built with teamwork in mind.

Microsoft 365 for Business is perhaps the best solution you can find for this problem. As well as a 163% return on investment, it’s been found to contribute to:

  • 1 extra hour of productivity per employee per week
  • 4-hour improvements in IT team efficiency per member per week
  • Reduced cost of risk

58% of the total benefit Microsoft 365 provides comes through user automation, but it’s also an all-in-one way to:

  • Enhance your cyber security posture
  • Increase your ability to scale flexibly
  • Reduce hardware dependencies and expenditure

While migrating to Microsoft 365 might seem daunting, partnering with experienced Edmonton IT services company can make this transition surprisingly smooth. In fact, an experienced team can help you implement all the methods we’ve discussed today…

Bonus: Partner with Expert IT Support

To truly maximize your IT efficiency and minimize downtime, consider partnering with a managed service provider (MSP) specializing in IT support in Alberta. An experienced MSP can:

  • Provide 24/7 monitoring and support
  • Implement proactive maintenance strategies
  • Offer strategic technology guidance
  • Ensure robust cyber security measures
  • Handle complex implementations and migrations

You can find the evidence for this one here: See What Our Clients Have To Say About Working With Us.

Time for You to Take Action

By focusing on these proven strategies and partnering with the right IT support in Alberta, your business can achieve optimal efficiency while minimizing costly downtime. The key is to start small, stay consistent, and leverage expert help when needed to maximize your results.

Start with the easier steps like software updates and team feedback, then gradually work your way up to more comprehensive solutions. Remember, professional IT services are available all across Edmonton to help you implement these changes effectively.

Tier 3 IT Solutions: Trusted Managed IT and Cyber Security Partners in Edmonton and Alberta

Our mission is to empower businesses in Edmonton and Alberta to get the best from what technology has to offer them. From IT strategy and support to cyber security solutions, our expert team is equipped with over 30 years of experience helping local SMBs thrive.

If you want to learn more about enhancing your cyber security posture, don’t hesitate to reach out for a call with our president, Jesse. Your business’s safety and success depend on staying ahead of cyber threats, and we can help you do just that.

Unlock More Efficient IT Transform your biggest IT frustrations into competitive advantages. Get in touch to find out how!

president tier 818x1024 1

Hi, I'm Jesse and I look forward to speaking with you.

An IT Support partner that you can trust.

I’m proud of the team we’ve assembled and the service they provide to our clients.  It’s because of them that we’re able to make a positive impact in our clients’ businesses and the communities we serve.

Our clients run businesses that depend on technology to operate but don’t have the expertise in-house to manage all the aspects of their Information Technology.  Our unique service delivery model is focused on a business first approach whereby we seek to understand what you’re trying to achieve, and how technology can help you move closer to those goals.  I’d love to connect with you to talk about how we might be able to help you improve the Stability, Security, Strategy, and Supportability of your network.