Achieving Great IT

1 :: Recognize the real and growing security threat.
The threat to your network is real and growing every day. Reports estimate that an Internet accessible, Windows device which is unprotected will be compromised with four minutes  of implementation. The threat to business transaction systems is growing.

2 :: Invest in network infrastructure.
Old hardware can be a huge waste of time, particularly when new desktops and servers are affordable and come with warranties. Having organizational standards for hardware and software installs cuts repair time dramatically.

3 :: Adopt a systematic approach to helping the organization.
You must have a way for your organization to request assistance. Your IT staff must be able to track, address and report requests. Without this you have no way of assessing whether or not you are adequately staffed and efficient in delivering IT.

4 :: Understand and appropriately harness outsourcing.
Outsourcing some part of your non-core functions is simply inevitable. The savings - and more importantly the advantages - are real and aren't going away. Payroll, HR, IT, design - it makes sense to do some of this stuff with outside experts that offer you a variable cost structure.  

5 :: Don't dilute the efforts of your technical staff.
How many staff members do you have dedicated to IT? Is it reasonable to expect that person (or persons) to provide EFFECTIVE help desk, network admin, infrastructure security, software development, application support, budgeting? The list goes on... It is also risky to expect that your IT staff can double as the e-business expert or the applications expert. They have their hands full already!

If you have a topic that you would like our staff to review, email it to dbrysch@channeldynamix.com.  It may just show up in a future edition of FIVE-BY-FIVE .