Everyone knows at this point that cybersecurity and the efficiency of business information technology can make or break any business. Network outages can spell nightmares for business operations, and cyber attacks are more devastating to small businesses than ever.
If you know you need to optimize and secure your network, you still may not know where to begin in making changes. Enter: the technology roadmap.
A technology roadmap does exactly as the name implies. It gives you a map to navigate the maze of cybersecurity, network optimization, and IT planning in general.
Confused about what a technology roadmap is created, what it would tell you, and how to use it? Here's an overview of the benefits of technology roadmaps and how outsourced company IT support can facilitate needed changes.
How Does the Roadmap Help You?
The technology roadmap is a way to have all plans organized and spelled out. This could mean details on what order to complete all IT infrastructure and business goals, and the price and benefits of each step. It's a plan that allows for complete transparency between you and your MSP. It showcases what is going on with your network and how you can optimize it.
1. Tackling Issues Head-On Uncovers Solutions
Initially, this process can be uncomfortable for some, because it exposes what's wrong with your IT setup. Sometimes that means breaking what is already established to set it back, almost like resetting a broken arm.
This could be daunting to anyone, but it's the only way it will improve properly. An MSP's goal is to assist you with getting to a good spot for future growth. They inspire questions such as, "where can you be five years from now?" and "Where do you want to be?"
2. Structure Fosters Cost-Savings and Growth
Everyone likes to have choices and structure in anything they do, especially when helping their business grow. The technology roadmap is designed for precisely that. It shows how we will be part of your team and help you. To learn more about how better IT planning can be a catalyst for growth, read our blog: Ask The Expert: How Technology Management Can Expedite Your Business Growth
3. Planning Gives You Peace of Mind
You should be prepared for potential IT challenges that may arise. Reviewing the roadmap quarterly with a Virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO) will allow you to track meaningful progress towards your business IT objectives. For more information regarding vCIOs, visit our blog: What is a vCIO?
4. Finding the Best Tech Stacks
Most companies are looking to gain a better understanding of the information technology assets available to them. Certain tools may need replacing, while others aren't end-of-life and could be optimized for cybersecurity and efficiency.
This can be stressful to figure out on your own. Finding a quality business computer support service is the first step in formulating the best technology stacks for your business.
5. Effective IT Budgeting Saves Money
Through strategically planned IT budgeting with the help of experts, you can get the most out of your technology budget while still meeting business requirements. You could be overspending on redundant licenses or services, or underspending on critical tools and services such as:
- Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) tools and anti-virus software
- IT support to troubleshoot outages and reduce downtime
- Encryption & multi-factor authentication
Underspending on IT can be costly down the line, as resulting cyberattacks can cost businesses millions in remediation or ransomware payments.
What is Included in a Technology Road Map?
A technology roadmap is a live document that acts as a step-by-step plan laying out every part of the network assessment and improvement process.
Initial Network Audits Identify Issues
To create this roadmap to optimization, you would get a network assessment. For example, our assessment, which we call the Odyssey Discovery, will determine:
- The state of your existing network, tools, and providers
- What needs to be done/what you want to be done for your IT environment
- How you'll be able to achieve your long-term goals
- How much it will cost to implement certain aspects like new equipment or tools
With this in mind, engineers go to your site, assess your setup, and then collect all the necessary data from your network. The data gathered usually includes:
- Vulnerability reports
- Asset reports
- Patch assessments
- Microsoft licensing information
- IT invoicing for support and third-party software
- Supporting information regarding the layout and design of the network
Investigating All Factors to Create the Roadmap
Your chosen IT provider would then interview you and other key users to understand how you interact with technology and how technology plays a role in your work environment. From this assessment, you find out how your users utilize their technology if it’s liked, if it is too slow, if there are recurring issues, etc.
Interviewing users is essential since these details can differ from department to department. These details help providers get a sense of what needs improvement and what goals you have for your network, so a plan can be created moving forward.
Most Common Issues Found During a Network Audit
A quality MSP will involve you heavily in the network assessment process prior to creating your technology roadmap.
The most frequently seen issues discovered in assessments include:
- Overdue software patching
- Risky default passwords used on network equipment
- Overspending on Microsoft licensing.
- Lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Aging hardware
There may also be more critical vulnerabilities in your network, such as open ports that act as open doors to hackers trying to breach your network.
To learn more about how an MSP will evaluate your network and commonly seen problems, read our blog: Network Assessments: What Insights Do They Reveal?
Creating Technology Roadmaps (Odyssey Navigator)
As previously discussed, the network assessment acts as a precursor to the technology roadmap, which we call the Navigator. The Navigator factors in possible security threats, your server and surveillance systems capabilities, and your IT infrastructure as a whole.
After assembling their noted information into the Navigator, IT engineers build a plan to troubleshoot and find which tech stack is the best for your situation. The need for a new server depends on things such as age, operating system, and if your current server is under warranty.
Asset age, operating system, and warranty information are pulled into deciding whether you'll need a new server. Vulnerabilities, patching, performance, and storage are also evaluated. You are then walked through an expert-recommended roadmap to get your perspective on how to move forward.
A Breakdown of the Technology Development Roadmap
There are typically a few specified parts to a technology roadmap to break down each part of the process. This helps you to fully understand everything planned from a high-level perspective. Sections of the roadmap would include:
- Server
- Workstations
- Switches
- Firewalls
- Power
- Wifi
- Cabling
- Internet Service
- Add-ons to your tech stack such as cameras, phones, surveillance systems, etc.
The budgets for all of these sections are also organized and priced out. The budget is well-considered when it comes to the construction of the roadmap.
Discussions over price and what cost-saving routes are available are made. This helps create a detailed and organized roadmap tailored to your business and budget.
Find an MSP With The Skills to Help
If you're ready to invest in your business's growth and user experience, click the button below to get started in creating your technology roadmap.
