Last years’ lockdown was a catalyst for creativity as millions of people found productive new ways to use their free time. June saw an almost 50% increase in the number of start up businesses compared to the same month the previous year, and in July 2020 a record breaking 81,000 new businesses were registered (CFE).
However, with an estimated 21.5% of start-ups failing within their first 12 months, and an overall failure rate of 90% in 2019 (source) it’s no secret that small businesses need all the help they can get.
At Woodstock IT we’ve been working alongside entrepreneurs for over 10 years, helping to get business start-ups off the ground and keep them there! Our bespoke services are individually tailored to ensure your business the best chance of success.
Looking for IT support? We make IT simple, giving you the freedom to focus on what’s important! Call us on 01403 290321 or 01293 912321 for a free, no obligation appraisal or alternatively complete our contact form and we’ll be in touch.
Importance of IT in lockdown
The pandemic and resulting lockdowns have led to significant changes in our day to day lives. As we’ve become less connected physically, we’ve become increasingly reliant on technology in order to continue to work, communicate and perform daily tasks.
Cloud computing services for example, have enabled companies to remain in contact with staff, suppliers and customers from any location, at any time – without the need for a physical work environment or shop. For a start-up business, the potential savings as a result of this are invaluable.
However for many people, the increased workload of having the whole family at home, working, studying, shopping and streaming often exceeds the capability of their IT system leading to poor performance and vulnerability to cyberthreats. Not such an ideal scenario for a new business!
How can this be avoided? As they say, get the basics right and the rest will follow!
Essential IT for start-ups
Strong internet connection
All things rely on the internet and without a fast, reliable connection you’re unfortunately setting yourself up for failure. Check out our blog on ‘WiFi Solutions For Your Home and Business’ for tips on how to improve your existing connection. Still not sufficient? Maximise your potential with our fully managed Wi-Fi services.
Secure antivirus software
On average, a small business in the UK is successfully hacked every 19 seconds! (source). The impact of a security breach for any business can be catastrophic – think financial losses, reputational damage and compliance breaches. Read more about the ‘Best Antivirus Software and Solutions for Small Businesses’ as a great starting point to avoiding these issues.
Cloud computing
Cloud computing refers to the delivery of cloud services like software, networking, databases, storage, servers, analytics and intelligence via the internet. We discussed the benefits of cloud computing in depth, like the ability for users to access services from anywhere with an internet connection.
Cloud computing also allows for flexible scalability as your business grows and your needs change, as well as increasing security and aiding compliance – all whilst saving money on running costs like on-site data centres.
Phones (VoIP)
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology is one of the most efficient and cost effective ways of making phone calls. As well as being reliable it also boasts advanced technical features including advanced call management, conferencing, voicemail forwarding to email or text and many more.
Technical support
Ongoing technical support, as part of a managed service gives you the peace of mind that your IT is in safe hands, leaving you to focus on other aspects of the business. Proactive monitoring allows for the early diagnosis of potential issues, which means problems can be resolved with minimal disruption to your services.
Refurbished tech
Refurbished IT is another great way to save money without compromising on quality. With savings of up to 50% on the latest technology plus a year’s warranty, you can be confident in your IT infrastructure with money to invest elsewhere! We’ll even trade in your old hardware to make the process run as smoothly as possible. Check out our refurbed tech service.
How Woodstock IT can help
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail! IT infrastructure is often an afterthought, which invariably leads to problems later down the line. We know that for businesses big or small, a reliable and efficient IT system is the difference between average and excellence. That’s why in addition to the design and set-up of your system we also provide ongoing support, servicing and protection.
Opt for our Standard IT Support Package:
Antivirus – Premium antivirus security from ESET
Back-up – Remotely managed full data backup with flexible retention periods
Encryption – Full encryption of your data storage for GDPR compliance
Email Service – Via Microsoft Office 365, with myriad add=ons to customise
Remote – Ongoing remote helpdesk support, to keep things running smoothly
Or tailor a bespoke solution – it’s your choice. For business start-ups we offer additional services including, but not limited to:
- Wifi setup
- VoIP
- Network health checks
To discuss standard or bespoke IT packages, or to discuss any of our other services call us on 01403 290321 or 01293 912321. Alternatively, you can complete our contact form with your enquiry. Once a start-up ourselves, we look forward to using our skills to help you as best we can.
