In this rapidly evolving digital landscape, where every decision counts, it is essential to equip your organization with a reliable IT framework that can withstand the complexities of the modern business world and drive you towards your goals with unwavering confidence.
“As businesses grow and evolve, their IT needs also expand. An effective infrastructure provides the scalability required to accommodate increased workloads, additional users, and changing demands without compromising performance”, says Chris from Power Consulting.
In this blog, we’ll share with you the top IT infrastructure best practices that can help steer your organization in the right direction. So, get ready to supercharge your business with these powerful techniques and propel yourself ahead of the competition.
IT Infrastructure Explained: Why Is It Important?
When your organization embraces the implementation of IT infrastructure best practices and IT management best practices, remarkable transformations take place. The result? Enhanced customer satisfaction and a substantial boost to your bottom line.
But what exactly is “IT infrastructure?” On the hardware side, IT infrastructure includes physical devices such as servers, computers, storage systems, routers, switches, and other networking equipment. Software components of IT infrastructure include operating systems, databases, applications, and other programs that enable users to perform specific tasks or access and manage data.
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, it’s no wonder that over 92% of G2000 companies have embraced IT outsourcing as a means to revolutionize their IT infrastructure and management processes. This trend has gained such traction in recent years that the Global Managed Services Market Size is expected to reach USD 680.08 billion by 2030.
| Outsourcing enables organizations to unlock the full potential of their IT capabilities. Check out these additional resources to learn more: |
Now, let’s delve into some of the essential technology infrastructure and IT operations best practices. These industry-tested techniques can be seamlessly implemented with the assistance of a trusted managed service provider (MSP) like Power Consulting.
10 Best IT Infrastructure Best Practices
1. Standardization and Consistency
Simplify your IT infrastructure by having your MSP create and maintain consistent hardware, software, and network setups across the entire organization, particularly when there are multiple locations. The best example is the firewall. The firewall should be the same make and model at your office, at the datacenter, and at other remote offices. This will make it easier to handle maintenance, troubleshoot issues, and implement changes smoothly and efficiently. It’s like having a reliable blueprint that ensures everything works together seamlessly, even if you’re new to the game.
2. Cyber Security
Arm your IT infrastructure with firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits. Stay one step ahead in the game of cat and mouse, protecting your data and saving your business up to $1.24 million in damage.
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3. Patch Management
Apply patches and security updates regularly to address vulnerabilities and ensure optimal performance across all your infrastructure components. This includes operating system patches, application patches, firmware updates, and more.
4. Business Process Management
Align IT processes/procedures with business objectives for enhanced efficiency and collaboration. This will involve process analysis, process optimization, integration, automation, and other components. Managed IT companies act as catalysts for cross-functional collaboration, ensuring that IT initiatives are aligned with the needs and objectives of different departments.
5. Regular Backups and Disaster Recovery Planning
Maintain robust backup strategy, regularly test and verify backups for data protection. Develop a comprehensive plan for data restoration, system recovery, and business continuity. These plans serve as a blueprint to ensure your business can get back on its feet swiftly.
6. Infrastructure Monitoring
Proactively detect and address issues and ensure optimal system functionality by following infrastructure monitoring best practices. Through careful analysis of performance trends and data, your IT company will be able to fine-tune resource allocation, ensuring optimal utilization and cost-effectiveness.
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Implement IT infrastructure monitoring best practices with Power Consulting
7. 24/7 IT Support
With a 24/7 IT support service desk, your remote team gains peace of mind, knowing that assistance is just a phone call or a click away. They no longer have to wait for regular business hours to receive help. Instead, they can quickly reach out to the remote service desk and receive prompt, knowledgeable support to resolve their IT issues.
8. Training and Education
Invest in IT staff training to equip team members with IT operations best practices, covering areas such as cybersecurity, network management, cloud technologies, and more to enhance their skills and expertise. MSPs can help create tailored training plans that address the specific needs and goals of your organization, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
9. Regular Audits
Conduct periodic audits with your IT management team to identify areas for improvement in your management strategies and validate compliance with industry regulations. Regular audits instill a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within your IT management team. Cover areas such as hardware and software inventory, patch management, compliance auditing, IT documentation, and user access controls.
Image Credit: PAT Research
How We Can Help You Nail Down Your IT Operations Best Practices
At Power Consulting, we understand the importance of a well-functioning IT infrastructure for the success of your business. As a trusted MSP for over 25 years, we offer expert assistance in upgrading and optimizing your IT infrastructure, step by step.
Through meticulous implementation, we ensure that your upgraded IT infrastructure seamlessly integrates into your existing environment, enhancing productivity and efficiency.
But the journey doesn’t end there. We also provide 24/7 ongoing support and maintenance to keep your IT infrastructure in peak condition. Look to our timely assistance, troubleshooting, and proactive monitoring to address any emerging issues promptly and reduce IT problems by up to 40-55% in just three months.
As you chart your course towards success, one essential element stands tall as your steadfast vessel: a robust and cutting-edge IT infrastructure. Contact us today to learn more about how Power Consulting can empower your business through top-notch IT management best practices.
