The top 5 IT challenges that frustrate most business owners and managers. Discover what we have found to be the top 5 IT challenges facing small and mid-range businesses today.

1. Top Five IT Challenges That Frustrate
Business Owners

2. Our experience has shown us that most small to
mid-range business owners experience a common
set of IT issues that not only irritate them – but
often limit or interfere with their business
operations. On the following pages are the
commonly found issues.

3. Backup and
Disaster Recovery
Issues
1
.

4. Having a reliable backup
and disaster plan is
essential to long-term
business success. Many
companies have a
sketchy backup plan or
often don’t have a plan
at all. Data Integrity is
everything to a
successful business.

5. Businesses should develop an IT disaster
recovery plan…Identify critical software
applications and data and the hardware
to run them… Document the IT disaster
recovery plan as part of the business
continuity plan.
US Department of Homeland Security
ready.gov website

6. New Technology
Integration
Issues
2.

7. Adding new technology or
business software to
current systems is a large
challenge. Many businesses
need the upgrades to stay
competitive and grow their
profitability. But many
companies have very little
experience in selecting or
adding the new technology.

8. Security Issues
3.

9. Hackers are becoming more
skilled in finding credit card
and HR data at small to mid-
range businesses. Often
businesses make it very easy
to be compromised. Many
businesses haven’t taken
enough steps to protect their
sensitive data. If your
business has credit card data
or electronic HR records, you
are a target for cyber thieves.

10. Your business should implement a
group of best practices to protect
your valuable business data.
1. Train your employees in
acceptable use, proper email
etiquette and password policies.
2. Defend your business by
installing a network firewall.
3. Have regular data backups and
store them off-site. Test the
backup on a regular basis.
4. Use consultants or IT experts to
assist in designing a layered IT
defense.

11. Root Causes to Problems
Are Discovered &
Addressed
4.

12. Step back and examine
in detail the root causes
of persistent IT
problems. This isn’t easy
but doing so will save in
future service calls for
the same issues. Placing
a Band-Aid on the
problem only delays the
resolution and costs. A
careful analysis of the
core problems and a
timely resolution often
improves employee
productivity and morale.

13. Lack of Strategic
IT Planning
5.

14. Would your business be more
efficient if IT and overall
business planning were
aligned? IT requirements are
central in day-to-day
business operations. Having
an technology plan is crucial
for long-term business
growth.

15. Combined Systems
Technology has focused on the
IT requirements of small to
mid-range buisnesses in
Central Iowa since 1980. We
specialize in technology
upgrades, backup strategies,
network security and
technology assessments. Our
engineers can identify your
key IT requirements and offer
recommendations.

16. The network engineers at
Combined Systems Technology
[CST] are available for consulting
and engineering services with
projects, large or small. Contact
us today to schedule a no-cost
initial consultation.
515-270-5300
800-944-2966
info@cstoncall.com
www.cstoncall.com
Clive, Iowa