2016 certainly proved to be an interesting year in terms of information technology, and 2017 is likely to present businesses with some tough challenges. To be prepared for what may exist ahead, let us examine what many feels are the top IT challenges facing organisations in Ireland.

Keeping Abreast of Security Threats

This first observation should come as no great surprise. Security has always been an issue within the IT community. As a growing number of enterprises relocate into the digital world, threats will continue to emerge. However, we also must consider a concept commonly known as the "Internet of Things" (IoT). This principle states that as novel devices emerge within the digital landscape, new risks will evolve that might not yet be fully recognised. Unfortunately, countless businesses are uncertain as to how they can cope with such a rather grey area.

Scalability

The most efficient systems are those which are scalable in design. This is critical from a business point of view, for solutions need to be implemented quickly while updates should take place within a timely fashion. Another point to address here is that scalable models tend to be much more cost effective when compared to the rather clumsy "one-size-fits-all" approach. Businesses will need to face this challenge well in advance, for their growth could otherwise be crippled by outdated architecture.

Outsourced Versus In-House IT Services

Whether referring to a start-up company or an enterprise-level organisation, the fact of the matter is that encountering robust digital solutions can often be quite difficult. Whether stemming from a lack of manpower, an insufficient knowledge base or a tight budget, many companies are debating whether or not to outsource these services to third-party providers. It is no surprise that this can be a daunting feat. Management must weigh the benefits and drawbacks of such solutions carefully. It is also critical to employ an IT firm which can provide turnkey techniques based around unique requirements.

Entering Into the Cloud

There are numerous benefits associated with cloud solutions. Some of the most pronounced include:

• Redundancy in the event of a system crash.
• Enhanced security features.
• Centralised access.
• Remote viewing when required.

Still, we need to appreciate that not all cloud computing systems are equal. This is the very same reason why IT Force has put together a system which is malleable and can be adjusted depending upon the desires of the customer. Furthermore, businesses need to appreciate the advantages that cloud solutions can provide when compared to in-house data management. To learn more about how this concept is evolving, it is always wise to peruse this page for further information.

The Integration of Employees into the Digital Domain

In most cases, management is well aware of the benefits associated with entering into the digital world. However, these same advantages could be lost on the average employee; particularly those with few skills sets or entry-level workers. Motivation, a lack of understanding and complicated systems are a few of the areas that must be addressed. The main issue is that management must stress the importance of the digital domain while providing the proper training so that any guesswork is effectively removed from the adoption process. This could be easier said than done, as some organisations do not have the time or internal resources to dedicate to such tasks.

Finding Talented IT Service Providers

It seems that a new IT solutions company is emerging daily and this observation is not far from the truth. Of course, not all of these firms will be able to provide quality services at reasonable prices. The other main issue is that many of these "providers" base their techniques off generalised templates as opposed to flexible talent that can be leveraged towards a specific goal. Therefore companies need to be very careful when searching for such providers and they should examine each in detail before making a decision. Some questions to consider are: 

• How flexible is the pricing package?
• Can services be upgraded or downgraded as required?
• Does the firm guarantee uptime?
• Is there a representative dedicated to each company?

So, we can clearly see that there are several IT obstacles to overcome during 2017. To learn more about what IT Force can do for you, please contact us directly.