Whether it’s a visit to the doctor, a sit-down with your insurance agent or a review with your financial planner we make time for yearly checkups and adjustments to avoid more serious problems down the road.
We seem to intuitively understand that there are aspects of our lives and business that need a period review and update.
News flash – the technology in your business is no different. Here are 5 reasons to consider having a yearly checkup on the tech in your business.
Your customer’s expectations are increasing
Customer allegiance is a fickle thing. Customers are swayed by cleaver marketing, shiny new interfaces, better offers or peer influence just to name a few things. Customer’s expectations of your business are influenced by experiences that don’t have anything to do with your product or service.
A few weeks ago I was changing some aspects of my bank accounts. The changes could not be made with my banking app. I had to call representatives and make a trip to a branch office to complete the process. My expectations were to make the changes with the app and not do all the extra interactions and leg work. I understand the security implications and was glad for the controls in place. But my expectations were to make the changes online. Those expectations were driven by experiences with other online account management changes.
The customers of your business are no different.
Have you considered the experience your customers have trying to find your product or service? Or purchase it? Have you recently tried your own experiences as if you were a new customer? You may be surprised at what you find.
Comparing the experiences you create for your customers with those of your competition and other experiences that would rate as ‘best in class’ can educate you on where your business shortcomings are in this area.
The software and hardware environment is evolving
Your business IT relies on many things outside your control.
For example, if your business has developed an iPhone or iPad app that happens to be 32 bit, it looks like Apple may be discontinuing support, according to this Arstechnica article.
Your app may be perfectly suited for your customers needs and may not need any changes. However, a decision by Apple, will force you to change your app, if you want it to continue to operate on future versions of iOS.
I know people that used Windows XP for years and it completely met their needs. And some businesses did too. However, due to hardware, security, support and other issues Microsoft ended support for it. Businesses who wanted to use newer hardware for speed or cost considerations were forced to upgrade. Again, an environment change beyond your control that your business had to react to.
Almost every aspect of your business’ technology infrastructure is dependent on other companies decisions in the same way.
The broader environment in which your technology operates is always changing. You can keep up or risk the consequences.
The bad guys (hackers) are always trying new things
Recently Wired released an article about new article discussing how hackers are targeting computer hardware in new and unique ways. “Rowhammer” and other variants are taking advantage of hardware vulnerabilities to break into computer systems.
Data encrypting ransomware infestations are on the rise. New versions are more specific in their targeting of industrial business. Dark Reading reports that the updated “KillDisk” malware is using encryption to ransom data instead of just erasing it.
High profile targets are being hit as well and having to pay up. Clever social engineering techniques are now targeting even 2-factor authentication as well.
The only antidote is constant vigilance, user and employee training and keeping systems as up-to-date as possible.
Regulations are changing
Just last week Congress voted to override internet privacy regulations put in place by the FCC (though not yet implemented).
Although the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 has been in effect for over 20 years now, the corresponding regulations continue to evolve as new technology capabilities in medical devices and communications require updates. The HITECH Act of 2009 is an example of additional updates that came along well after the initial law was passed.
The federal trade commission updated the CAN-SPAM act in 2008 just a few years after the initial act was passed.
If your company does online business in the EU then you have to deal with the recent EU data protection regulations.
These are just a few of the more high profile examples of major regulatory changes which affect internet, data or computing.
When regulations change, compliance is not optional and your business technology may be impacted.
Competitors are improving
It goes without saying that you have to run your business like your competitors are always improving.
Your competitors will offer new features, have new promotions or any other manner of methods to attract your customers.
Your competitors technology may be an influence point.
I recently started using a new online accounting system over one I had used in previous businesses because it offered better technology and ease of use. Your business situation is no different.
Customers are continually susceptible to your competitors message. You must keep your technological experience up to date and relevant otherwise your brand perception will suffer.
Contact us to discuss how a tech assessment can help your business.
