In the world of Managed Service Providers (MSPs), there's a secret that often goes unspoken: not all IT journeys are created equal. There is a natural progression that every business goes through, and there are certain fundamentals that just don't change. IT requirements are a reflection of the business.
Assessing Your IT Landscape
How well does your business IT stack up in the following areas?
Foundation
- Core (DNS, Website, Email, Internet connection, firewall, data storage)
- Employee Security (identity management, 2FA, on/off-boarding process)
Consolidation:
- Collaboration, Telephony, Secured Remote Access
- Data Storage - compartmentalised (minimal permission model), protected, available
- Connectivity - Multiple locations (anywhere, anytime, any device)
- Employees - Role Based Access Control, Phishing resistant MFA, auditing, Cyber Awareness
- Policy deployment, review, and update cycle in place
- Strategic IT plan documented, reviewed, and aligned to business objectives
Innovation:
- Safe space for experimentation and rapid prototyping
- Dev – Test – Prod cycle understood and deployed
- Automation focus
- 3rd party shared access
- Strategic review cycle is mature and intuitive
Navigating the Landscape with Microsolve
Most MSPs will be experts in Foundation, some will have great skills in Consolidation, very few will ace Innovation, and even fewer can cover and support your business growth through all phases.
Knowing where you fit and what you need is half the battle. Microsolve understands the business journey – we've been there – and will work with you to solidify your foundation, plan your consolidation, and lead you to a place of innovative possibility!
A Deeper Dive into IT Components
Foundation:
- Infrastructure: Hardware, networking, and basic software constitute the foundation, forming the essential groundwork for IT operations. Without a stable infrastructure, other components struggle to function reliably.
- Security: Foundational security measures, such as firewalls and basic access controls, ensure the integrity and confidentiality of data. Establishing these safeguards is crucial before progressing to more advanced IT capabilities.
Explanation: Foundation components are fundamental building blocks that create a stable and secure environment, forming the basis for effective IT operations.
Consolidation:
- Data Management: As businesses grow, handling data becomes more complex. Consolidation involves efficient data storage, retrieval, and management systems to optimize processes and decision-making.
- Integration: Bringing together various software applications and systems streamlines operations. Consolidation includes integrating different components seamlessly, reducing redundancy, and enhancing overall efficiency.
Explanation: Consolidation focuses on optimizing and streamlining IT processes, improving data management, and enhancing interoperability between different systems.
Innovation:
- Advanced Security Measures: Innovations like AI-driven threat detection and response systems go beyond the basics, providing proactive security measures to counter evolving cyber threats.
- Emerging Technologies: Adopting cutting-edge technologies such as cloud computing, IoT, and AI can drive innovation, enabling businesses to stay competitive and agile in a rapidly changing landscape.
Explanation: Innovation involves adopting advanced technologies and security measures beyond the foundational and consolidative phases, positioning the business at the forefront of IT capabilities.
Assessing Your IT Maturity
Understanding your IT journey is half the battle. At Microsolve, we're here to help you navigate the complexities, solidify your foundation, and lead you toward a future of innovation and growth.
As part of our IT Maturity Framework Review, we will ask specific questions in three key areas: Foundation, Consolidation, and Innovation. These questions will help us evaluate your current IT infrastructure, security measures, data management, integration capabilities, and adoption of advanced technologies. By gathering this information, we can provide valuable insights and recommendations to enhance your IT maturity level.
