Five Reasons Why Having an IT Provider Improves Business Continuity
For many businesses, the most significant improvement is moving from dependence on a few internal technology people to a team of professionals. An IT service provider can be an essential ally in business continuity planning. IT systems are essential for most business functions, and you need a rapid response strategy in case of disaster.
Having a team of IT service providers is vital for running your business continuity plan. As a business owner, you want the reassurance that you have a team of professionals ready to jump in ensure your business doesn’t suffer for a long time in case of disaster.
What Is a Business Continuity Plan?
A business continuity plan (BCP) is a script showing what to do before, during, and after an unexpected disaster or emergency. Business continuity is a business’s ability to maintain essential functions during and after a disaster. Disaster recovery is one part of a complete business continuity plan. A BCP covers business processes, assets, human resources, business partners, and more–not just IT infrastructure and operations after a crisis.
How IT Service Providers Improve Business Continuity
Having the ability to absorb and adapt in a changing environment is the promise of business continuity. There is no single approach to improve or enhance business resilience. Having a great IT provider will contribute to continuous improvement and help safeguard business resources and strategic goals.
1. Organizational Reassurance
Having the two most important stakeholders, employees and clients, reassured will improve your business’s overall confidence levels. A business with a continuity plan inspires confidence and will enjoy a reputation as a reliable and promising brand.
An organization needs to reassure its customers, third-party vendors, and partners, that things are under control in the event of a catastrophe or disaster. Employees should know what to do in case of crisis. IT service providers help ensure employees are adept at handling smaller, daily disruptions.
2. Reduced Downtime
One of the biggest problems that your business may face during a crisis is a long downtime. The longer it takes, the more money the business will lose. Having a business continuity plan can save you not only time, but also money.
An IT service provider will help you keep technology functional during a disaster. It’s estimated that a small and medium business’s average cost because of downtime is around $5600 per minute.
3. Quality Control
Part of brand reputation relies on the quality of the end product. When operations experience disruptions, there might be inconsistencies in the deliverables.
A BCP will help keep the critical operations running during a crisis. To maintain the quality of services, you require every crucial link in your supply chain is protected in the event of a disruption. By planning for your business continuity with your IT service provider, you can ensure the quality and service delivery to the customers isn’t affected.
4. Increased Business Performance
If there are any inefficiencies in your business workflow, then implementing a business continuity plan brings those to your attention. Your IT service provider will closely study your business processes to design and implement a customized BC plan for you. They may spot any unproductive and redundant activities. These new insights will help you reshape your strategy to improve business operating efficiency.
Most business owners are always looking for ways to gain a competitive edge in their industry. Having a comprehensive business continuity plan, while your competition likely doesn’t, will be what makes your business attract potential business partners and customers.
5. It Can Help Save Lives
While making your business stay functional throughout a disaster is essential, your employees’ safety should always be prioritized. Creating an emergency plan and holding drills, can be what determines life or death.
Ensure that your employees know details of the continuity plan. If you save the business and lose lives, your business will be open to a racket of costly damage control, which might be more expensive and difficult than preparing for a disaster.
Remain Stress-Free When Running Your Business
Businesses often underestimate the importance of a business continuity plan with the best IT service providers. To survive during a disaster, you need a plan and an amazing team. Without either, your business will take longer than necessary to recover from a disaster. You could go out of business for good.
Planning for your business should happen when the business is doing well, before a disaster strikes. Contact us today. We can help you monitor and manage your business IT infrastructure. It will give you peace of mind and increased reliability, reduced risk, and a comprehensive business continuity plan in the event of a disaster.
Eric is a Business IT cybersecurity advisor, consultant, manager, integrator, and protector who founded EVERNET in 2007. Eric co-hosts a podcast called “Finance and Technology Insights by Brian & Eric” on YouTube. Eric is a regular contributor to the EVERNET blog, writing about the latest technology news and providing his expertise in cyber security prevention and management.
