In the past four years, office-based businesses in the Kansas City metro have seen more transition than they witnessed in the previous 20. The onset of the pandemic in early 2020 brought a sea change, an unprecedented shift to online collaboration and communication among people who had, until then, shared a common, physical workspace.
“WFH,” the abbreviation for “Working From Home” has become a standard announcement from office workers to their colleagues, who, ironically, are too busy to go to the office and need the uninterrupted isolation of their cozy, residential workspace. Company managers have learned to measure their employees based on work product and effectiveness more than hours spent at the office. Technology has played a key role in enabling the new normal of WFH.
Here’s the great news for the WFH crowd in Kansas City: A 2022 article named Kansas City the best city in the world for working remotely, based on internet speeds, healthcare and quality of life, cost of living and other metrics. WFH is as much a part of Kansas City as BBQ, but this new normal of a home-based career comes with a unique set of problems and opportunities, especially with respect to technology.
Businesses in Kansas City need an IT consulting partner now more than ever to help them manage their cybersecurity, network, cloud-based solutions, data sprawl, compliance, sustainability, internet-connected devices and software. Here are some trends and insights to consider.
- Remote Work Will Continue to Grow
The pandemic not only showed us that companies can thrive without an office full of people every day. The necessity of working from home was the mother of new inventions and improvements to the tools of collaboration and communication. But more locations, more devices and less over-the-shoulder supervision of employees creates more tech-related worries for company owners and managers. A solid IT consulting group can show you how to stay in control of data, devices and the devils that threaten your security and stability.
- Cybersecurity Threats Won’t Go Away, They’ll Get Bigger
Hackers can use a cyberattack to gain access to all of a company’s systems and hold them for ransom. When a company doesn’t pay the ransom, the business is helpless. Cyberattacks aren’t new. Similar threats to a company’s information technology and customer data can happen to businesses of all sizes, anywhere, including here in Kansas City. And it’s not just companies with the deepest pockets that bad actors go after. It’s not a question of if your company will be targeted, but when. A well-informed IT consulting team can help you and your team follow best practices to avoid and mitigate data and network security threats.
- The Future Will Be Cloudier, in a Good Way
Companies will continue to demand flexible and scalable cloud-based software and storage solutions that enable them to maximize cost, speed of access and ease of analysis. An IT consulting company can help you access the benefits of a wide variety of cloud-based services, including email, data backup, systems monitoring, patch management, anti-virus software and updates, and content filtering.
- Data Compliance Is Key
Data protection compliance is critical for organizations in financial services, healthcare, government and many other areas. The rules and standards are constantly changing, but a qualified IT consulting team stays current on regulations and requirements, keeping you and your business out of harm’s way.
- Sustainability Is About Everything
When we think of energy consumption, we usually think first of automobiles and air conditioners, but computers and related hardware can gobble up kilowatts, too. An IT consultant can help you choose energy-efficient equipment that will last a long time. Get greener and save on your electric bills, too.
- Your List of Internet-Connected Devices Will Get Longer
IT consultants don’t just support your laptops and printers, they can help you select and integrate security cameras, thermostats, air monitoring, lighting, just about anything IoT you need to run your business.
- Software Is Getting Harder to Manage
Businesses are always trying to stay current, and software developers are moving at an ever-increasing pace, making it downright dizzying to keep up with the latest releases of every application and software-as-a-service (SaaS) being pitched to you. An IT consulting firm can advise you on what you need now, later and never, potentially saving you thousands in unnecessary technology expense.
Consider partnering with a reputable IT consulting group in Kansas City to help you with all your technology investments. Contact Kansas City’s best IT consulting group today.
