If you use technology on a daily basis, you’ve no doubt encountered periodic IT problems. These issues can get in the way of your productivity and cause a negative impact on morale. Luckily, you can resolve current issues and reduce your risk of future challenges with the right strategy.
“The key to overcoming IT problems lies in both addressing current issues and preparing for future challenges.” – Ethan Gillani, CEO of Micro-Tech USA.
Staying ahead of IT problems will also help you stay ahead of cyber threats. As a result, you can reduce your risk of cyber attacks and preserve the integrity of your most sensitive data.
That’s why this article will explore 8 common technology issues in business. Before we get into that list, we will also provide a step-by-step guide on how you can reveal the biggest issues on your specific network.
How to Identify The Biggest Technology Issues in Your Business
Every business is different. Therefore, different businesses face different challenges. Just because an IT problem is common doesn’t mean that it’s an issue for your organization. So, here is a step-by-step guide on how to identify your biggest technology challenges.
1. Assess Your Current Technology Infrastructure
Start by evaluating your existing hardware, software, and network systems. Document all assets and identify any outdated or underperforming components. Aim to understand the capabilities and limitations of your current setup.
2. Gather Input From Key Stakeholders
Consult your employees, managers, and IT staff to gather feedback on their experiences with the technology in place. Ask them about the challenges they encounter daily. This step will help you pinpoint pain points and recurring issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.
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3. Analyze System Performance Data
Review logs, performance metrics, and reports from your network monitoring tools. Focus on uptime, response times, and any recurring error messages. This will help you identify where slowdowns or failures are occurring.
4. Evaluate Your Security Measures
Examine your current data security measures. Look for potential vulnerabilities, outdated software, or patterns of failed login attempts. Understanding security gaps can highlight technology weaknesses that might affect overall performance.
5. Review Support & Maintenance Requests
Analyze past IT support tickets and maintenance records to identify common themes or recurring problems. This can help you understand which technology issues are most frequent and how they impact productivity.
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6. Conduct a Risk Assessment
Assess the potential risks associated with each identified issue. Determine how these risks might impact business operations if left unaddressed. This helps you identify which technology problems need immediate attention.
7. Prioritize Identified Issues
Based on the data and feedback gathered, rank the technology issues by their impact on your business. Focus on problems that cause the most disruption or pose the greatest risks to your operations first before moving on to less critical issues.
Here’s an example of how you may categorize your issues based on priority.
8 Common IT Problems & Their Solutions
1. Network Downtime
Unexpected outages can severely impact business operations. In fact, employees lose 1 week of productivity per year on average to network connectivity issues. Implement redundant network connections and use monitoring tools to detect and address issues proactively. Doing so minimizes the risk of extended outages.
2. Compliance Management
Staying up-to-date with evolving regulatory requirements can be complex. Use compliance management software and consult with legal experts to regularly audit processes and ensure adherence to necessary standards.
3. Remote Work Challenges
Secure and reliable access to company resources is essential for employees who are working remotely. Yet, providing the right balance between security and accessibility is easier said than done. A strong VPN, multi-factor authentication, and effective endpoint security can help. These solutions enhance data protection while ensuring smooth access to corporate systems.
4. Legacy System Integration
It can be difficult to integrate older systems with newer technologies. Try using middleware solutions or APIs to bridge the gap between legacy systems and modern platforms. This approach extends the usability of legacy infrastructure while incorporating new capabilities.
An assessment of your infrastructure is required to pinpoint the best solution for you to accomplish this. However, here is a general overview of which solutions work best in some common examples.
| System | Best Connection Solution | Why? |
| Mainframe Systems | Middleware, APIs | Middleware and APIs extend mainframe functionality, enabling data exchange with modern applications without significant alterations to the legacy system. |
| ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) | Middleware, custom APIs | Middleware and APIs unify data across modules, promoting interoperability and data centralization with minimal disruption to existing workflows. |
| CRM (Customer Relationship Management) | API integrations, data migration | APIs and data migration streamline data access, improving customer insights and ensuring data flows efficiently between systems. |
| SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) | IoT-enabled middleware, custom APIs | IoT middleware enables real-time data collection, making SCADA data accessible across platforms for improved monitoring and control. |
| Financial Systems | Secure APIs, encryption protocols | Secure APIs and encryption protocols protect sensitive financial data, allowing integration while meeting compliance standards. |
| Custom-built Software | Middleware, microservices | Middleware and microservices add flexibility, allowing new functionality without extensive code rewrites or reconfiguration. |
5. Maintaining Scalability
Business growth without efficient IT infrastructure scalability can lead to performance issues or excessive costs. The good news is that cloud computing services can scale automatically based on demand. This helps you adjust their IT resources to match your needs without overspending or facing resource shortages.
6. Inconsistent Software Updates
97% of applications contain at least one vulnerability at any given time, which is why it’s important to stay current with the latest updates. The problem is that varying update schedules often result in inconsistent software versions across devices. Try automated patch management software to keep all systems up to date and reduce the risk of vulnerabilities.
7. Data Backup Failures
Backup systems sometimes fail without alerting users. Therefore, you can’t assume your data is being correctly backed up and stored unless you perform regular tests. Regular testing and monitoring of backup systems are essential to identify failures before you need them for disaster recovery.
8. Shadow IT Applications
Employees may use unauthorized apps to enhance productivity. One survey by LastPass showed that 57% of SMBs have caught employees using shadow IT and that 76% of these shadow IT applications have moderate to severe cybersecurity risks. To lower your risk, use network monitoring tools to identify these applications and promote approved software through clear guidelines and training.
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Experience No More Problems With IT with Our Support
Relying on reactive IT support whenever you encounter an issue is no longer sufficient in the digital age. Instead, you need a proactive team of experts who can help you resolve IT issues before they even become issues.
When you call Micro-Tech USA, you’ll speak to a live support agent 99.9% of the time. Our helpdesk is also available from 6 AM to 12 AM, which means that you can easily access after-hours support for pressing challenges.
Reach out today to learn more.