If you’re like most small business owners, you probably don’t have a dedicated IT staff. Instead, you rely on a single IT support person to keep your business running smoothly.
But what happens when that IT person unexpectedly quits?
Suddenly, you’re faced with the daunting task of trying to keep your business running without someone who knows your systems inside and out. Here’s why it’s not a good idea to hire just one IT person and what you can do to minimize the disruption to keep your business running smoothly.
Why You Shouldn’t Hire One IT Support Person
Hiring one IT support person can lead to a series of complications down the line if he or she leaves. Here are a few reasons why it’s not a good idea to be dependent on just one IT person on staff.
Creates a Single Point of Failure
If that person gets sick or quits, you’re left in the lurch. No one else will know passwords, how to fix systems, or where important data is stored.
Too Much Responsibility
One person can only do so much. If your IT person is also responsible for other tasks such as website maintenance or graphic design, they’re going to be stretched thin. And if something goes wrong with your IT system, you’re going to have to wait until that person has the time to fix it.
Hinders Growth
As your business grows, your IT needs will grow with it. If you only have one IT person, he or she can quickly become overwhelmed trying to keep up with the demands of a growing business. And with the rapid changes in technology, it’s important to have someone on staff who is keeping up with the latest trends and developments.
Leads to Higher Salaries
Because they are the only IT person, they may demand a higher salary. This can be a problem for small businesses that are operating on a tight budget.
Solutions Available to Minimize Disruption
Don’t let the unexpected departure of your IT support person disrupt your business. By taking some proactive steps, you can ensure that your business will be able to continue running smoothly. Here is what you can do:
1. Hire a Managed IT Services Provider
A managed IT services provider can take over the responsibility of managing your IT systems. This way, you don’t have to worry about trying to find someone who knows your systems or keeping up with the latest changes in technology.
2. Train Your Employees
Even if your employees are not familiar with IT, they can still be trained to perform basic tasks such as resetting passwords and troubleshooting common problems. This way, they can help out if something goes wrong or if you need to make changes to your system.
3. Set Up an On-Call Schedule
After training your employees, you can set up an on-call schedule. This way, someone will always be available to help if something goes wrong.
4. Create Documentation
Be sure to document everything related to your IT systems, including passwords, contact information for vendors, and how to fix common problems. That way it is easier for someone else to step in.
5. Use Cloud-Based Services
Cloud-based services can help to minimize the disruption caused by the departure of your IT guy. With cloud-based services, you can access your data and applications from anywhere, so you don’t have to rely on someone being on-site to keep things running.
6. Be Proactive about Backups
During the chaos, make sure to protect your data from accidental deletion or corruption. Backing up your data regularly will ensure that you can always restore it if something goes wrong. About 60% of businesses that experience a disruption with their data go out of business within the next six months. This is why securing your data is crucial to keep your business running.
Strengthen Your IT Support with RedNight Consulting
RedNight Consulting specializes in providing IT support for businesses. We understand the challenges that businesses face and have the experience and expertise to help you keep your business running smoothly.
If you’re looking for IT support that you can rely on, contact us today! We’ll be happy to help you find a solution that suits your specific needs.