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7 Biggest IT Challenges – How Growing SMEs Can Tackle Them

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14 September 2021

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face a myriad of issues each day. Naturally, these challenges do not make the process of carrying out business straightforward. 

While IT and technology offer SMEs many opportunities for innovation and market expansion, they also come with their own IT challenges for small businesses. 

When we talk about SMEs, cybercrime tops all the other security threats, making cybersecurity one of the most difficult IT challenges for SMEs. To ensure all-round IT security, Redpalm has curated services that provide robust IT solutions to mitigate these digital threats in the best possible way. 

Having been in the digital security industry for so long, our experts instantaneously recognise any threat in the IT environment. For your assistance, we have curated a list of some of the biggest IT challenges for SMEs that you need to overcome if you want your business to succeed.

Let’s take a look!

1. Communication Tools

Be it large enterprises or SMEs it is a given that communication is key to the success of any business. 

Since there are multiple options available to communicate today, it is highly likely that your employees are using more than one platform to stay in touch with their colleagues, everyday suppliers and customers. 

Advanced companies use collaborative platforms and emails to stay connected constantly. They even have separate software for specific kinds of file sharing to carry out their businesses securely and smoothly. 

What we’re getting at is that there are multiple platforms available in just a few clicks that can match each of your individual employee’s needs and controlling all these platforms at once is impossible. 

This is why you need a set company policy that clearly communicates the kind of communication and tools to be used by each one of your employees.

Understandably, it can get overwhelming to choose one out of many communication tools and that is why you have us. Reach out to us to access our suite of communication and collaboration services. 

2. Inefficient IT systems

SMEs are growing businesses that make a lot of mistakes along the way. It is natural for a growing business to choose a series of faulty IT systems which accumulate in the business over time. 

Naturally, the results are a combination of outdated and inefficient systems that are useful to no one. Additionally, you might often struggle with creating an environment where one system seamlessly coordinates with the other. 

On the other hand, you might find that your employees are replicating mistakes across various systems within your business. If these situations sound familiar, your business is in dire need of a change. 

As a business owner, you may be reluctant to update your IT systems because you think you are saving on business costs. What you don’t realise is that in the long term, the benefits that these IT systems bring to the table will outweigh the costs you have to pay right now. 

Once your IT is set up and in place, the new and upgraded systems will save you time too. With the additional time and resources you have, your business is likely to grow tenfold. On top of that, the work environment for staff will be much more efficient and free from all the frustrations caused by slow and outdated systems. 

3. Cloud-Based Security 

Adapting to the integration of cloud-based security measures is another challenging issue when it comes to IT challenges for SMEs. 

Cybercrime has been and continues to be a cause for concern for businesses across industries that is only growing with the shift to cloud-based systems. This is why SMEs need to arm themselves with effective cloud-based security measures to protect their organisation and customers. 

With the advancements in technology, Redpalm has various solutions like Unified Endpoint Management and Hybrid IT Infrastructures along with cloud-based solutions that align with the new age technology of today. 

Particularly for SMEs, our cloud-based services offer a host of benefits. These benefits range from flexibility in operations to improved collaboration not to mention, efficient disaster recovery for your business as well. 

Redpalm highly encourages businesses to operate securely; precisely over cloud-based platforms for better coordination and advanced security systems. 

For SMEs, this is perfect as you do not have to pay heavy upfront costs to get the ball rolling. 

4. Digital Transformation

Digital transformation involves the integration of digital technology in all areas of your business. It is a process that can revolutionise how SMEs operate and deliver value to their customers, promising better productivity and efficiency. However, there are still many challenges for SMEs on this front. 

From a digital skills gap to a hesitance to adapt to new technologies, there are multiple obstacles that SMEs need to overcome. In this journey to digital success, your business needs to foster a culture of adaptability, experimentation and continuous learning regarding new technologies and processes. 

Once SMEs overcome this hurdle, they have the unique opportunity to innovate, reinvent themselves and gain a competitive advantage in the market.

5. Integrations and Automation

Integrating new technology with your existing business may lead to operational disruptions and is one of the biggest IT challenges for small businesses. Many businesses struggle to ensure the smooth integration of their existing infrastructure with new tools and applications. 

While automation improves efficiency, implementing it can disrupt established workflows. Your employees will need to adapt to new processes, leading to a temporary reduction in productivity. To ensure a smooth transition, your business needs to manage the changeover carefully and provide adequate training and support. 

6. Compliance

With a growing number of rules governing data protection, privacy and industry-specific regulations, regulatory compliance has become quite demanding. 

SMEs often lack the resources needed to understand and implement these rules and regulations, which undergo frequent changes and vary in different regions. Nonetheless, compliance is not just a legal requirement, but it also serves as a trust signal to customers. 

As such, it’s become vital for SMEs to establish compliance protocols; often with the support of legal and IT professionals.

7. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have greatly impacted and transformed business operations. Since their introduction, ML and AI have offered various benefits such as improved employee efficiency, enhanced innovation and cost reduction. 

Large traction regarding the use of AI and ML has been seen in areas relating to document processing, intelligent search, and customer engagement. Through the automation of essential processes and reduction in manual tasks, AI and ML have helped many organisations work faster and smarter. 

However, implementing AI and ML effectively does bring with many IT challenges for small businesses. Some of the biggest obstacles range from a shortage of skilled talent, failed algorithms/models and a lack of technological infrastructure that supports AI and ML use. It is only once these key obstacles have been overcome that your business can reap the benefits of artificial intelligence and machine learning in full.

Contact Redpalm to Effectively Tackle IT Challenges for SMEs!

While SMEs may have more challenges to tackle in their business, IT security takes precedence as cybercrime is at an all-time high. Your IT environment should be efficient and running at all times to ensure smooth operations and uninterrupted business functioning. 

If you have a problem with choosing proper communication tools, set it right by discussing them with your company. Similarly, while indulging in new technologies, say cloud-based security, you will require assurance while setting it up. 

At Redpalm, we’re a Managed Services Provider (MSP) that provides you with efficient IT solutions to keep your business secure and thriving. 

With their many years of experience, our team of IT experts can help you identify and mitigate any risks as soon as they are detected. 

We also offer a variety of services such as vulnerability assessment, IT user support, proactive monitoring and IT audits and health checks to safeguard your business. 

To learn more about our services, click here or contact us to schedule an appointment today!

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