What are the benefits of a technology audit?

Technology is certainly one of those concepts that business leaders can take for granted. As long as the enterprise is keeping up with the latest trends and processes, everything is moving in the right direction. Correct?

While in some cases this technique works, it’s safe to say that having a plan around implementation and development is the best way to make full use of technology. As Benjamin Franklin once said “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”.

Before adopting new IT infrastructure, it’s important to conduct a technology audit – providing a snapshot of your current IT framework. However, what are the other benefits of taking this approach? Read on to find out.

1) Reducing Risk

Despite the improvements in IT technology, business leaders still need to be aware of issues around confidentiality, availability and reliability. Even the best products on the market require proper structures to mitigate risk – something that a technology audit can identify.

Of course, your current IT framework might still be safe, but various issues and problems need to be accounted for. As such, once these have been assessed, your IT team can have a clearer picture of how to reduce or mitigate the possible risks. Running a business does come with risks, but with the right insight, you can avoid falling over a major hurdle in the future.

2) Improving Communication

While the IT department might be quite separate from the rest of the business, almost every decision that your IT professionals make will have an impact on operations across the board. At the end of the day, any IT risk is a business risk, and communication between both parties need to be concise, smart and productive.

However, due to challenging schedules and other restraints, important issues can be overlooked and prevent good collaboration.

This is one of the benefits of a technology audit – allowing both senior management and IT professionals to have shared resources around where improvements can be made. Through an independent audit, business leaders get a clear overview of the various systems and the IT department gets feedback around what direction to take the company in.

3) Supporting Public Reputation

For many businesses, technology is mistakenly identified as an area where cost-cutting measures can be made. For example, if a lower cost and quality product can do the job, then the additional capital is available for other purposes.

However, this isn’t often the best approach. If a business was to adopt a poor system and take it to market, there is a chance that there will be negative impact on the client or customer base. This would hurt your public reputation and destroy any confidence that was building. Of course, dealing with problems after the fact is a lot more costly than simply getting a technology audit completed.

A technology audit is an ideal way to ensure all systems and networks within your business are solid and appropriate. If any issues are found, solutions can be implemented as soon as possible.

4) Establishing Future Plans

To operate an IT system that is ready for the future, it’s important to understand the here and now. As a key part of a technology audit, the team at Imagetext can offer recommendations and opportunities to improve your current systems – even looking towards the months and years to come.

IT budgets continue to rise, but knowing the best areas for development and investment mean this allocation is more tailored and customised – allowing the enterprise to flourish in the right way.

For more information about technology audits, contact the expert team at Imagetext today.