When we hear the term, Infrastructure Management, it generally refers to Information Technology and encompasses such things as equipment and its maintenance, data storage and security, networking, ease of end-user computing, speed of processes, and reliability through data center upkeep. One challenge of infrastructure management is ensuring the IT goals align with those of the business itself. While mutual priorities are certainly one of the more significant challenges, other top concerns include the following.

•  Networking is the circulatory system of a company, vital for communicating with clients and within the company itself. Computer systems and telephony equipment must be perfected for reliability and clarity.
• Security is a priority with today’s “in a blink” technological grasp. A breach of critical or private information could have great financial impact and lead to identity theft. Excellent physical, network, and email security is definitely a necessary investment and not one to be frugal with.
• Storage is of upmost importance, whether on-site, off-site, or in the cloud, providing the ability to safely back-up and/or store the company’s crucial data.
• Equipment will always be at the top of the list of concerns for Infrastructure Management, as it must be constantly upgraded, maintained and repaired in order for an organization to run at maximum capacity. A solid Data Center is one that is well-maintained while allowing for upgrades and growth.
• Ease of use in facilitating all aspects of technology bears rewards for the public sector and for a company’s staff members. The public needs to have easy access to an organization’s products and services, and employees need strong and operable equipment to maintain productivity.
• Speed gives us maximum output in a minimum amount of time. Lengthy waits for downloads, processes and communications can bog down an organization’s level of functionality and with that, loss of time and revenue.

• New Technology is developed every day. A successful organization must be well informed of new trends that best align with their needs. Keeping a company well endowed while simultaneously keeping in line with its growth is not an easy juggling act.

A company has many more variables to monitor in this technological age. While processes are faster and improved, they come with a whole new gamut of concerns. Keeping one step ahead is a constant challenge we need to be constantly aware of. An organization needs to utilize a perfect ratio of Business Management to Infrastructure Management to be successful today. Need help finding the right balance? Call (760) 650-3300 to speak with a friendly consultant at Syndeo Communications, the leading provider of IT support in San Diego. We offer a wide range of services, easily tailored to fit your specific needs.

In the modern business world, a good IT consultant can play a vital role in managing and expanding a profitable company. You’ll need to work with reliable professionals, and that means learning how to separate the great IT firms from the mediocre ones. Syndeo Communications shares three terrific ways to tell the difference.

1. Go Deeper With Past Clients – You’ll want to speak with past San Diego clients who have worked with the IT team you’re considering. Most IT consultants will provide you with client references, but you should make an effort to go beyond their suggestions if at all possible.

   When you speak to former clients, try to get a feel for both the positives and negatives of working with the IT consultants in San Diego. Were they easy to communicate with? Did they respond promptly to deadlines and stay on schedule? Were they flexible about payment or very demanding? Most importantly, when you’re talking to a client who no longer works with the IT firm in question, ask why the relationship ended. This can speak volumes about a consultant’s possible weaknesses.

2. Learn About Applicable Credentials – In the IT field, many industry leaders operate extensive certification programs to verify the skills of technicians and programmers who work with their products (Microsoft and Cisco are excellent examples). Certifications are available for a wide range of industry-standard software and hardware.

   If you already know what programs and machines your IT consultants will need to work with, you should investigate the certification field for those particular products. Look for appropriate credentials on your prospective IT team. Bear in mind that having one certified employee doesn’t translate into universal expertise; you may want to specify that your work must be handled by professionals with the right credentials.

3. Ask About Professional Development – IT is a constantly evolving industry. Good consultants understand this and work hard to keep themselves and their teams at the cutting edge. In responsible, growth-oriented IT firms, owners and managers will do a great deal to foster their subordinate’s development and make them more capable workers.

   Ask your potential IT consultant to outline what steps their company takes to encourage employees to cultivate their professional skills. The answer to this question is very telling; you want to work with firms that invest in their workers’ professional development. They are typically dedicated to higher standards of service and usually prioritize the quality of their work over accumulating maximum profits.

If you’re not sure exactly what kind of IT consulting services you’ll need, sit down with the prospective company and discuss immediate needs, budget restrictions, and future goals. A company that understands your requirements for services such as email security, on-site support, and data recovery will be better positioned to help you grow and succeed. To schedule an appointment with Syndeo Communications, a reputable and experienced IT consulting firm in San Diego, call (760) 650-3300.

With the demand of IT professionals increasing steadily, many firms have found that it’s much more cost effective to hire a reliable San Diego IT consulting company on a project by project basis rather than having their own full scale IT department fully funded all year round. This is particularly true when it comes to small or medium sized businesses that are looking to save on costs as much as is reasonably possible.

With that being said, the term “IT consulting company” can seem somewhat vague, particularly if the businesses has never hired one before, so let’s take a look and see some of what an IT consulting company’s primary responsibilities include:

• Increasing Efficiency – Slow data can affect just about every level of a business. Having something like an overloaded server impacting work output as well as simple things such as communication can be a huge drain on the business’s overall budget. IT consulting companies will be able to come in and really streamline processes, get things working at their fullest potential, and even backup data to reduce later downtime.
• Providing Collaboration – Hiring an IT consulting company will give a business owner access to a team of highly trained specialists that know what methods can be tailored best to meet that business’s own specific goals. Because of the variety, an IT consulting company is often much more flexible when it comes to what they can offer.
• Planning Ahead – With an outside IT consulting company coming in, employees will spend less time worrying about the network and more time doing work. San Diego IT support and consulting specialists will come in and develop a plan that will greatly reduce the risk of glitches down the road. In addition to that, those times that a glitch may occur can be dealt with quickly and efficiently without impacting any other segments of the business.

To learn more about hiring an IT consulting company or to schedule a free consultation to discuss services available, reach out to Syndeo Communications today. We are a local IT support and consulting company that helps SMBs in San Diego reach their technology potential. Call us at 760-650-3300 to get started today.

If you’re looking for an IT consultant in San Diego, you likely know that information technology (IT) and IT security are rapidly changing fields. With new types of viruses and data breaches threatening companies almost daily, it’s important to find an IT consultant with the right qualifications. Along with knowledge and experience, here are a few unexpected qualities to seek in a great IT consultant.

1. Flexibility – Modern IT security requires the ability to think outside the box, to anticipate where attacks may come from and how to counter them. IT consultants who have working knowledge in many areas of IT, such as database or network security, can then adapt security requirements so they are in sync with a business’ needs both currently and in the future.
2. Communication Skills – The stereotypical “computer nerd” with few or no social skills works great for TV and movies, but in today’s security landscape he or she won’t get very far. A successful IT consultant has to be able to communicate clearly and professionally with the entire organization, from the data entry clerks to the boardroom, either directly or through memos, presentations and security policies.
3. Long-Term Planning – Most companies have limited resources and have to balance them among many needs. An IT consultant must find a way to incorporate IT security goals into the overall goals of the company, using the resources available to him or her. As a result, he or she must be able to effectively work with various groups within the company, creating a comprehensive plan that involves more than the IT department.

There was a time when IT security only required technical skills. Unfortunately, many companies believe that is still the case, and are surprised to learn that modern IT security also requires knowledge of business, human nature and risk assessment, to name a few.

To learn more about finding an IT consultant for your business in San Diego, reach out to Syndeo Communications today. We work closely with our clients to develop an appropriate plan for individual needs, and provide reliable over-the-phone, remote and on-site IT support in San Diego, CA. Call us at 760-650-3300 and schedule a complimentary consultation today.

It’s almost impossible for any organization to manage all of its IT needs in-house. That is just the way that the business works. However, hiring a professional IT consultant in San Diego isn’t always the most streamlined process. Hiring the wrong IT consultant can also be potentially devastating in terms of lost time and revenue. Luckily, most companies make the same mistakes, which makes avoiding them in the future that much easier. 

1. Not Conducting a Formal Interview – Many companies make the mistake of hiring an IT consultant without first conducting a formal interview. Instead, they base their hiring decision solely on an individual’s certifications and past work experience. Unfortunately, those criteria are not effective for determining a consultant’s fit within a specific organization. Taking the time to conduct a formal interview ensures that the IT consultant can provide the right level of IT support, and shares the same vision and values as the hiring organization.
2. Not Understanding Fair Compensation – Consultant compensation should be based on industry standards, regional standards, industry experience, and expected project length. Failing to accurately account for each of these factors when determining compensation rates can lead to one of two possible negative scenarios. One, the organization overpays the consultant for their work which obviously damages long term profitability. Two, the organization makes offers that are consistently low which impacts their ability to find a qualified consultant in an acceptable timeframe.
3. Not Clearly Outlining Consultant Expectations – The biggest mistake that most organizations make when hiring an IT consultant is a simple failure to clearly communicate project expectations. It is important that organizations ensure that neither side is making any assumptions about any facet of project expectations. Everything from consultant availability to parking procedures and office dress code should be discussed prior to the signing of any contract.

While these are the most common mistakes, it is by no means a comprehensive list. Avoiding these mistakes will eliminate most problems, but it is important to remember that every industry and consultant is unique.

If you are interested in hiring an IT consultant, learn more about managed IT services in San Diego from Syndeo Communications. Our IT support and consulting experts can support your current project or on-site staff and give you peace of mind knowing they have the experience and training needed to meet your goals and satisfy expectations. Call us today at 760-650-3300 for a free consultation.