Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a critical role in economies around the globe. To stay competitive and productive, they must depend heavily on technology. Unfortunately, that reliance often comes with numerous challenges, which can put a serious damper on business growth.
In fact, a quarter of SMEs (25%) admit their digital tools are not robust enough to protect their company from potential pitfalls. Likewise, a report by The Telegraph notes that over a quarter of those surveyed believe a lack of understanding of technology has been a big factor when implementing IT services.
What are the most common IT challenges confronting small businesses? How can you turn these challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth? We answer these and more questions in the article below.
Why IT challenges disproportionally impact SMEs
Despite the potentially incredible benefits, many SMEs still lag behind in digital transformation. These companies often operate with tighter budgets and limited access to skilled IT professionals, which makes it tricky to invest in advanced digital tools and effectively implement them.
At the same time, SMEs are at higher risk of cyberattacks since they’re seen as easier targets than large firms with better defences. Shockingly, many companies still do not have proper backups in place, which makes it easier for cyber criminals to attack.
Did You Know
SMEs that adopt data-driven strategies can experience a 5-6% increase in productivity and efficiency.
Institute of Analytics
6 common IT problems for small businesses
Cybersecurity threats
Most news stories cover high-profile hacks, making it seem like cyberattacks are only a problem for big companies. However, hacks and data breaches can target anyone. In fact, reports show that almost half of UK businesses have been victims of a cybercrime. That’s why it’s critical to implement strong protection and firewalls, and train your staff to recognise any phishing attempts and other forms of cyberattacks.
For many SMEs, having in-house IT security is not an option because it’s expensive and difficult to justify for their scale of operations. In this case, an excellent solution is to team up with an experienced IT services provider who also offers managed security solutions. At Ingenious, we believe in an approach that’s holistic and proactive. Prevention, after all, is the best cure!
Digital transformation
In the last few years, the world has been working towards becoming more digitalised. Although IT and technology offer businesses great opportunities for innovation and market expansion, many SMEs still don’t use them to their advantage. In many cases, it’s due to a big digital skills gap. Technologies advance quickly, and companies find themselves struggling to keep up, especially if they don’t have qualified workers on their team.
Many SMEs are rooted in traditional practices, which makes it challenging for them to embrace new processes and implement changes that digital transformation requires.
So, what can you do to avoid this mistake? Outsource to a Professional IT Support provider and invest time in upskilling your team with basic IT training. Try to view digital transformation as an opportunity, rather than just another frustrating task on your to-do list.
Outdated infrastructure and legacy systems
The idea of upgrading your technology can feel daunting. Many SMEs live by the theory ‘if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.’ But old computers and clunky legacy systems aren’t just slowing your business operations. They are also a huge security risk, which can cause a number of different problems.
To avoid this, make sure to audit your hardware and software regularly. It’s also a good idea to consult an IT expert who can offer tailored recommendations to optimise your IT infrastructure and align technology investments with your business needs. Remember that more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better!
Poor backup strategies
Nowadays, there are many choices and methods for backing up your information, yet many organisations still fail to do it adequately. If your company loses IT capability due to human or technical disasters, your staff will have to face downtime. This can have a devastating effect on your operations. Likewise, if your company suffers data loss, you might lose your most important business asset.
The best solution for protecting your information is to work with an IT partner who can determine what data and files should be backed up, where to locate them, and plan tests to ensure your system’s security. In some cases, it makes sense to use external hard drives or network-attached storage; in others, it’s better to use Cloud backup. That’s why it’s so important to consult a professional who can find the best option for your small business.
Lack of IT strategy
Considering how important tech is for business growth, it’s surprising that many IT and business leaders remain disconnected. Often, the CEO has a clear idea of their future and goals, but IT is not informed enough to ensure this can happen without tech getting in the way. That’s a big mistake.
When you partner with Ingenious, you’ll receive a quarterly business & IT review that ensures your business strategically plans to meet objectives and goals, and your technology can scale and adapt quickly.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning
AI and machine learning are no longer just for tech giants. By allowing these technologies to analyse large datasets quickly, automate routine tasks, and support better data-driven decisions, you can free up time to focus on more strategic priorities. Doesn’t it sound great? If your SME wants to stay competitive, it will have to learn how to use the new tech sooner or later.
However, implementing AI also comes with its challenges. The biggest obstacles SMEs face are a lack of skilled personnel, improper technological infrastructure that supports AI, and difficulty integrating AI solutions with existing systems and workflows.
The good news is that you can easily overcome these hurdles. At Ingenious, we offer tailored solutions and ongoing support to ensure a seamless AI integration.
Final thoughts
Day to day, year by year, tech is advancing. While it provides efficient problem-solving techniques that make SMEs’ operations easier, it also comes with challenges.
By partnering with Ingenious, you can face these obstacles with confidence and peace of mind. If you’re interested in our IT support and services, please contact our team.
Our tip: Regularly audit your IT systems to catch vulnerabilities early and ensure your technology grows with your business needs.
Did you know: SMEs that adopt data-driven strategies can experience a 5-6% increase in productivity and efficiency.
