While the notion of your lawyer mowing your lawn seems absurd, many small businesses are doing the equivalent when it comes to managing their own technology. Suffice to say, a lawyer's talents are best suited to practicing law, not caring for lawns. When it comes to mowing my lawn, I personally prefer professional lawn care to the $500/hour lawyer. Would you consult your CEO, President, CFO, or Vice President when your computer is running slow or your VPN doesn't work? Sounds just as crazy as having your lawyer mow your lawn doesn’t it? Truth be told, hundreds if not thousands of small businesses are doing just that and more when it comes to managing their technology. Here are 9 not-so subtle signs that your business needs technology help:

Your company’s mission statement has become “I don’t care as long as the network is not down again”
 
Business continuity is critical to any organization’s success. A proper backup strategy, clear disaster recovery plan, and understanding of the costs of downtime to your business will pay dividends in the long run. If the phrase “Is the network down again?” is all too familiar in your organization, you might want to evaluate your technology support strategy.

Network?! I'm not really sure...I think I have a server or something in our back closest. 
 
Your network or infrastructure is the equivalent of your company’s plumbing. Your company’s infrastructure can be in-house or hosted and serves many critical functions including storing/protecting your IP, supporting critical business functions, and allowing connectivity regardless of location. Network infrastructures often comprise your computers, servers, routers, switches, and wireless transmitting devices. A sound network is the foundation for your entire technology program.
 
Often overheard around the office: “I don’t know just reboot and see what happens.”
 
Employee productivity and efficiency is critical to overall business success. If end users are spending more time trying to fix computers than performing their designated job functions it ultimately affects the bottom line. A dedicated support resource can not only boost productivity and efficiency, but also make life a whole lot easier.
 
New employees call the VP of marketing the "computer person."
 
This situation is all too common! It's what is termed the “accidental techie” Long story short; your VP of Marketing has inadvertently become your tech support specialist. This means you're looking at mediocre lead generation and technology support at best. Find a tech person to fix computers, so your marketing person can market.
 
Your in-house technicians, who have recently left the company, have spent the last year building a “super network” and custom applications that you know nothing about.
 
If you find yourself in the situation where someone else has the “keys to the kingdom” you most definitely are in need of some expert assistance. Transparency and accountability are key. Do not allow your own technology and company to be held hostage.

The only thing backed up around your office is your iPod, your vacation photos, and the line to Dunkin Donuts.

Protecting your most vital business information is critical. Your backup system should be monitored and maintained on a daily basis and tested to ensure restoration capabilities in the event of a data loss episode.

Dial-Up and Windows 98 (Need I say more)!!
 
Most of the people in your office think Exchange is some new extreme sporting event
 
If most of your office is still using Hotmail, Gmail, and Yahoo accounts for email, it’s time to take a look at some other options. Your email is vital to both your user productivity and your ability to communicate with the outside world.  Today there are a number of options regardless of your business size.
 
You keep thinking there’s got to be a better way to do this
 
If any of the information sounds familiar to you, then it might be worth a few minutes to evaluate your organization's current technology support solution. I can't promise that we can shorten the line outside your office's Dunkin Donuts. A conversation with Everon, however, just might put your organization on the road to becoming more productive, efficient, and satisfied with its technology investments. Please give us a call if you have any questions.

For more information about this article please contact Doug Ziewacz