For firms across Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford and Leeds, Covid-19 is continuing to have a huge impact on the way business IT operates – bringing drastic changes in just months that would otherwise have taken years. Likewise, ‘Artificial Intelligence’ (or ‘AI’ for short) was one of 2023’s biggest developments – and 2024 will no-doubt see further progress – helping businesses automate processes, and work more efficiently.
Our award-winning Halifax-based IT Support team have witnessed first hand how businesses are adapting to these changes. We’re all having to think differently about the future of work and business – and those who continue to do so and harness the full power of IT technology and Artificial Intelligence will pull ahead of their rivals in the months and years to come.
Remote working has meant the office has moved to the internet with businesses using everything from Microsoft Teams to Zoom to keep in contact with both staff and customers.
Although there may be some kind of return to ‘normal’ office life in time, it’s likely to be very different from what we were used to up to 2020’s first lockdown. Companies are realising they can operate without the massive overheads of running an office – so it seems many employees will have the option to continue working from home far into the future.
The other realisation is huge savings in both time and costs. Meetings with potential customers can be held via the internet with no need to travel long distances – meaning you’ll also be able to fit more meetings into the working day – potentially boosting sales.
Likewise, we’re starting to see remote-only jobs – broadening the candidate pool to worldwide, and at the same time increasing your dependancy reliable and robust IT support that can promise a quick response. Our average fix-time is just 16 minutes (which is fast by any standards, if we say so ourselves!).
According to a survey carried out for IT analyst specialists CCS Insights, 60% of business bosses in Europe and the USA expect at least 25% of their workforce and, in some cases, all of their staff to work at least partly from home well into the future.
The answer to remote working is up there in the Cloud
The way to make businesses run most effectively and efficiently when staff work remotely is for companies to shift all their files to the Cloud. This allows staff to access what they need at any time, and from any location – giving them full flexibility.
Well over 67% of UK businesses are expected to have made the move to Cloud-based operations by the end of 2024.
Why the most vital business IT trend for 2024 is cyber security
2024 is also one when cyber security will become a main trend. If the internet is to become your main and, in some cases, sole way of doing your business, it absolutely must be safe – with cybersecurity given top priority. It’s all about maintaining trust with customers – if your system gets hacked, and you loose crucial client data, this instantly damages that relationship – and it’ll be a long, hard road to regain it.
Even now, many small business owners don’t think they’ll ever be hacked but it’s not only miserable and soul-destroying when it happens, but also very expensive. Hackers find a weakness to get into your business IT system and then lock files – demanding large sums of money to unlock them. It happens far more regularly than many people think, and worldwide it’s estimated that a business falls victim to a cyber attack every 14 seconds.
One small company in the USA paid $150,000 to the hackers to get their system back (https://www.techrepublic.com/article/ransomware-attack-why-a-small-business-paid-the-150000-ransom/) but larger corporations have paid between £1m and £10m.
So, in 2022 ensure you do all your software updates as they come into your computer as most are to fix problems with security issues.
Couple that with strong passwords and possibly a 2-stage verification process such as an authentication code sent to your phone – many banks use this process. The more secure you need to be, the more steps you can add to this multi-factor authentication.
If it looks ‘phishy’ …
Make sure your staff are security aware and not to open any emails that look remotely suspicious as most security breaches are caused by human error – basically someone opening a phishing email in hindsight they should clearly have immediately deleted.
If you don’t use a professional IT company now’s the time to look for one as they will be up-to-date with all the latest cyber threats and can ensure your IT system is fully protected against malware and the hackers. It’s amazing how many businesses take this step only when it’s too late and they’ve been hacked. But, then again, how many people only install burglar alarms or security cameras once they’ve been burgled?
Your IT system is the absolute core of your business which runs everything. As everyone knows, when your IT goes down these days then just about everything to do with your business stops until it’s back up and running.
Urban IT Support, based in Halifax, West Yorkshire, backs all its clients’ work up to the Cloud and as partners to Sophos online security, only uses reputable, top quality business security products – including anti-virus, ransomware protection, encryption and mobile device security. Our clients also have access to InterceptX (https://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/endpoint-antivirus.aspx), one of the world’s most powerful anti-ransomware programs which anticipates and stops threats before they take hold, giving you complete protection.
Communication is key
And, finally, a latest communication trend is automation – with chatbots taking over customer service inquiries.
Also, why not set up an automated email reply so the customer knows you’ve received their email and are dealing with it. With Artificial Intelligence, these can be personalised so they look like they’ve been sent by one of your staff.
Other communication trends to help keep customers and find out what they want include:
Making a new client feel really welcome by sending an automated, yet personalised, welcome email saying how much you appreciate their support- with more information about your services and, perhaps, even a thank you gift (i.e. discount voucher).
Follow this up some time later by emailing an automated customer survey link saying it’s their chance to help you improve your service to them and perhaps give them the opportunity to provide a testimonial. If they are less than 100% happy then the software can trigger the need for a follow-up phone call or email.
Ensure the customer becomes a regular one, especially if they have bought something that will need regularly replenishing, by setting up automated email reminders to them when it’s likely their stock levels will be running low. Research shows that the probability of selling to an existing customer is 60% to 70% compared with 5% to 20% to a new customer.
So there you have it, the latest IT business trends. If you’re based in West Yorkshire, and want a chat about how Urban IT Support can improve your Business IT through our award winning outsourced IT Support and Consultancy service, get in contact with us today. Either email us on support@urbanitsupport.com or phone our Halifax team on 01422 646465.
Blog written by Andy Hirst from Huddersfield-based AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/)