2020 has so far been a year that few were expecting. The coronavirus pandemic has led to restrictions that have severely affected many economies and caused one of the biggest stock markets crashes in recent history. A large section of the workforce has been left unemployed or unable to work, and this is even before considering the grave health concerns and the overwhelming pressure on medical services.
But in times of crisis, we need to stay positive and look forward to a brighter future. It is fortunate that we live in a digital age in which many of us are able to work remotely. Had the virus arrived 20 or 30 years sooner the same would not have been true, and the global damages would be much greater. Rather than wait for the difficult times to pass, businesses need to be pragmatic and resourceful, making the most of the current situation and staying optimistic for improvements in the future.
One way of doing this is through your online connections, reassessing the current state of operations and working on business development. This could be the time to modify and redirect the business strategy to account for the recent changes, or it could be the time to develop, streamline and make more efficient the existing processes.
There is always a long list of processes in need of renovating or replacing or even a full business transformation. Technical consultancy and support are still possible for UK businesses, so many will choose to find the best IT consultants in London. Despite the difficulties posed, it is still full steam ahead for IT services.
IT consultancy
Developing a new business strategy may be the first order of business. This can help to account for the new disruptions, with necessary adjustments to business processes and focusses. Given that with many enterprises in the modern era the business strategy and IT strategy are closely linked, a new approach to technological solutions used will likely be required.
This is where expert consultation on technological issues comes in. This kind of consultation helps to explain processes and technologies in language that is easy to understand for everyone. Expert counselling and guidance can be delivered to meet the particular needs of every customer, and IT solutions can be developed that are the most appropriate.
The best IT companies are also able to offer consultancy in GDPR. This is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that has been in effect in EU countries since May 2018. It also applies to the UK after leaving the EU.
This is a comprehensive set of data privacy laws that also applies to companies that are not based in the EU. The laws are strictly enforced, and failing to report data breaches within a period of 72 hours can result in substantial fines. Many companies have already been fined by as much as 4 percent of their annual turnover, including British Airways, which was fined €204,600,000 in 2019.
In order to avoid such fines, organisations must follow the best policies of data management and compliance. The GDPR is not easy to understand and follow, but expert IT consultancy is on hand to provide this unique service.
Cloud services
With the new restrictions in place for an unknown period of time, cloud technology has not ever looked so appealing. Most organisations are already somewhere on the path to cloud migration, but if this is not underway then perhaps now is the best time to put the wheels in motion. The benefits of cloud computing are many, yet the figures show that the technology has not been fully exploited by a high percentage of businesses.
Of course, cloud solutions offer access from any location, but flexible packages are also available that allow for growth and scalability in an enterprise. Cloud technologies can bring a high level of security, as well as a significant reduction of costs. The services are easy to deploy and the payment can be made more flexible.
All of this is especially attractive at the time of a crisis, but even at the best of times, cloud services have a great deal to offer businesses. IT consultants can help to make clear the best available cloud solutions and the best strategy to take in implementation.
Client support
There are always technical challenges that present themselves and make our lives harder. Problems from somewhere within an IT system can be time-consuming and incredibly frustrating. This is why it is good to know that IT support is always here to resolve the issue quickly and efficiently.
In the cases that IT support cannot be delivered on-site, a large proportion of technical difficulties can still be addressed remotely. These can be dealt with over the phone or through online chat, and they can be assisted with the use of screen sharing software. Difficulties could include problems with cloud technologies such as IaaS or PaaS, remote access to the network, cloud backup or disaster recovery solutions.
Naturally, a global crisis is a time of many problems, and it can seem difficult to stay positive in the face of adversity. But it is important to stay optimistic in these difficult times, and remember that growth will come as a result of overcoming challenges. We must do everything to take the business forward, and prepare for the happier future that is sure to come.