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Top 5 Questions People Ask IT Consultants
1. Should I move to the cloud?
Sorry to say but there's no definite answer on this one.
The short answer is that most businesses are already at least partially in the cloud. Any online software solutions that you use are, essentially, cloud services. The decision to move exclusively to the cloud, with no on-premise infrastructure, is a big one with many layers to consider.
- Do you have an adequate (and redundant) internet connection?
- Are you prepared to accept more ongoing, monthly fees?
- Do you have a proper plan for backing up your data in the cloud?
2. How can I GUARANTEE my network is secure?
The truth is, you can't.
No one wants to hear this but it's the sad reality. The security climate is changing literally EVERY day so there are no guarantees. But not to worry because there are a lot of things you can (and should!) do, however, to greatly reduce your risk and exposure and to be prepared in the event something does go wrong. Some of the things may be obvious such as having a reputable, business-class firewall and ensuring anti-virus and anti-malware software are up to date. But a strong secure posture goes much further than that. You must have a multi-layer approach to security which involves protecting the endpoints (servers/workstations/devices), a solid backup and disaster recovery
(BDR) solution, networking monitoring
and alerting, IT policies and training for your employees (human security) and also a strong Cyber-security insurance policy. A gap in any one of these areas poses a significant threat to your business.
3. How can I save money on IT?
Planning, planning, planning!
The truth is that IT must
be viewed as an investment in your business and not an expense. Just as you would with other investments, you would think ahead and approach them methodically and strategically. IT is no different. Taking a reactive approach and making spur-of- the-moment buying decisions when something breaks will lead to spending more money in the long run. The approach we take with our clients involves us, as the IT consultants, sitting down regularly with the business owner or Executive team to plan out key technology initiatives to support business goals. Taking this high-level, proactive and strategic approach ensures that there are no surprises and allows you to properly budget and plan for initiatives to keep your technology current, secure, productive and affordable
4. What else can I do with Office 365 besides email?
The better question might be, what can't you do?
Microsoft 365 (if you haven't heard, they changed the name from Office 365 to Microsoft 365 in April 2020) is a robust suite of apps and services that can enhance a variety of things for your business. It includes mobility for all of the Microsoft Office applications (i.e. Word, Excel. PowerPoint) so you can easily create and edit documents from any device, inter-office chat functionality, audio and video conferencing and a slew of other apps to run your business like to-do lists, shift scheduling, surveys, form creation and much, much more. Microsoft 365 changes, improves and enhances constantly so it's a lot to keep up with but, chances are, if you need some functionality, they offer it!
5. Is it better to have in-house IT or work with an outside IT consulting firm?
Can you guess what our answer will be? :)
In our more than 34 years of doing business with small- to medium-sized businesses, we consistently hear that outsourcing IT
makes the most financial and business sense. You’ll get a team of people behind you with the necessary expertise needed to handle most situations that arise. You won’t have to worry when your in-house IT professional goes on vacation or is sick, or worse, if they leave the company unexpectedly. That doesn't mean that having in-house IT is not a good thing, because it can be extremely beneficial. In fact, many of our most successful clients have in-house IT along with us as their IT consultant to provide a full range of coverage for all of the day-to-day, project and strategic work. However, if in-house IT doesn't make sense for your business, most IT consultants can do it all! Just be sure to choose a company with a large enough team to provide the coverage and skillsets you need and be sure their approach and style matches not only your business, but your work culture. They will become an extension of your team and trust and synergy is extremely important.
written by:
Jessica Rich
Jessica Rich, Managing Partner at The Walker Group, has an extensive technical and business background in the areas of IT, Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, Operations, and Finance. She is a passionate problem solver dedicated to the constant improvement of people, process, and company culture.
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As we close out another year, we’re reflecting on the incredible milestones, partnerships, and growth that defined 2024. From groundbreaking projects to community impact, our team has worked tirelessly to push boundaries and deliver exceptional results. In this issue, we’ll share highlights from the past year, celebrate our collective achievements, and look ahead to an exciting 2025. Thank you for being part of The Walker Group journey—here’s to continued success together!
Celebrating Our Spotlight in EY ’s Latest Publication We are incredibly proud to share some exciting news! Our business model and the purpose that drives us every day have been spotlighted in EY ’s latest publication, Beyond Sustainability as Usual: How Business Transformation Can Unlock the New Economy. This recognition is a meaningful opportunity to tell our story and inspire others to discover and follow their own true North Star. EY’s New Economy Unit publication dives deep into groundbreaking examples and case studies of businesses driving transformative change. It highlights organizations that embody new economy principles—those that are reimagining traditional approaches to create a better, more sustainable future. We are truly honored to be featured among such inspiring companies and to contribute to this vital conversation. Our inclusion in this publication is a testament to the power of purpose-driven business. We believe that aligning operations with a strong mission not only drives success but also creates lasting value for people, communities, and the planet. This feature is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to innovation, sustainability, and transformation. We hope this recognition serves as a spark for others to think boldly and creatively about how business can be a force for good. Together, we can unlock the full potential of the new economy and build a brighter, more sustainable future.
We are thrilled to announce that our recent eWaste Recycling Day was an incredible success! With the enthusiastic support of our community and the expertise of our trusted partner, Green Monster eCycling, LLC, we responsibly recycled an impressive 7,214 pounds of electronic waste.
