IT Infrastructure Considerations for the Small Business and Non-Profit Organization

An efficient IT infrastructure is an integral component of a successful business be it large or small. A system that is thoughtfully planned, effectively installed and well maintained gives your business a competitive advantage while helping to safe guard valuable data. Techopedia explains that an IT infrastructure “consists of all components that somehow play a role in overall IT and IT-enabled operations. It can be used for internal business operations or developing customer IT or business solutions.”

The myriad of constantly changing technology alternatives available in the marketplace poses a special challenge, particularly for small businesses and non-profit organizations who may not have the resources to closely vet them. The stakes are high as a poorly implemented solution could impact productivity, drive customers away and increase your exposure to cyber-attacks. The value of technology to small businesses and nonprofits continues to be highlighted as important in the press. For example, getting the supporting technology right is one of the five radical changes proposed in the book Race for Relevance and there are regular articles in business publications about relevant technologies.

When considering your alternatives, begin by knowing your functional areas that an IT infrastructure solution should address. Here is a list of common areas for small businesses and non-profit organizations:

Small Business  Non-Profit Organizations

* Strategy

* Governance 

* Finance / Accounting

* Finance / Accounting 

* Human Resources

* Administration 

* Training

* Training 

* Sales and Marketing

* Programs 

* Customer Service

* Fundraising / Grant Writing 

* Supply Chain Management

* Regulatory / Compliance

* Regulatory / Compliance

 

 

Once your functional areas are identified, there are four key technical factors to include in your decision making process for a sustainable solution.

1. Buy versus Rent: There are many pros and cons in owning and maintaining your infrastructure versus subscribing to a cloud computing solution. A few of the basic criteria to consider:

Cost: A cloud computing solution is usually paid through a subscription with a low entry cost. An on premise solution requires a large investment upfront and either staff to maintain it or license fees if vendor software is used. The low start-up fee for cloud computing makes it attractive particularly to small- and mid-sized business. There is a growing array of viable cloud computing solutions as its popularity has grown.

Security: This is a two-pronged consideration. By owning your infrastructure, you have total control and responsibility over security. However, you may want to delegate the responsibility to a vendor that has more expertise and resources.

Regulations: Government regulations or mandates are an important consideration, especially if your industry manages sensitive data. The healthcare, financial, and legal industries are good examples. In many cases, these considerations have led to the decision to own and maintain private data centers.

2. Mobile Capabilities: The world is becoming increasingly mobile as people spend more time on their devices searching for information and communicating. Website and social media presence are opportunities to attract new customers and retain existing ones. This trend will no doubt continue to grow as the Internet of Things (IoT) proliferates and touches many areas of your business.

3. Cybersecurity Measures: Being prepared for potential cyber-attacks is increasingly important. As bigger companies have increased their cyber-security, hackers have turned their attention to smaller businesses. Technology along with proactive human steps will help greatly to mitigate the occurrence or damage caused by cyber-attacks.

4. Broadband Capabilities: Broadband applies to many types of technology such as digital subscriber line (DSL), cable modem, and fiber optics and is often referred to as high-speed internet. Having adequate broadband capabilities to quickly send and receive data is crucial to a smooth operation. A promising technology to consider is the 5G network which is the next major phase of mobile telecommunication standards.

These are some of the factors to account for in a carefully planned IT infrastructure design and implementation. There are likely many other nuances to consider depending on the nature and needs of your business. Ninestone offers technology review services and can help your small business or non-profit organization move forward with a solution that is specific to your needs. Contact us today.

Tammy Chu, Ninestone Senior Consultant

January, 2017

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