We all know Knoxville is expanding, but between the new businesses and housing developments moving to the area, what’s the role of technology? Brian Strong recently spoke with Haley Jones of the Big Orange Business Podcast to talk about the innovative strategies and cutting-edge technologies setting Knoxville apart. Here are the key takeaways.
Who Is TenHats?
TenHats is an IT firm providing comprehensive MSP services tailored to businesses of all sizes. As Brian explains:
Basically, we provide IT services for a business that wants consulting or needs helpdesk services. TenHats is really emblematic of all the functions of IT, so we have specialists in multiple different disciplines of IT and we can help facilitate that for companies.
We allow small businesses where employees often wear multiple hats to offload IT tasks and focus on their core operations. For larger enterprises, TenHats offers specialized expertise in areas where the company’s internal team might lack proficiency. These IT strategy services allow us to provide effective partnering to enhance their IT capabilities.
Serving clients ranging from those with 12 employees to those with several thousand, TenHats is equipped to handle a wide array of IT functions, making them a versatile and valuable partner for businesses seeking to streamline their IT operations.
But the question remains: how do you know when your business needs IT services? Fortunately, Brian has some clear signals to look out for so you don’t get left behind.
When Does a Business Need IT Services?
“We typically start getting engaged with somebody that has 15 to 20 employees,” Brian explains, although smaller businesses can also benefit from IT support.
It can be difficult to tell when it’s time to find an MSP. Fortunately, Brian has some signs that it’s time to make that call.
Brian emphasizes that all businesses today are, in essence, technology companies that perform specific functions, saying:
One thing we talk about when discussing why IT is so important is that we really all are technology companies that do something else. If you took away your technology, could you function? We’re not going to get atlases anymore, right? Those days are over. Those days are gone. Technology and how we use technology is really the centerpiece of how we function as businesses and then we happen to do whatever that function is.
As your MSP, TenHats helps your business thrive, compete, and achieve its goals more effectively. This ensures that your technology infrastructure supports your growth and operational needs.
IT becoming more important to your business can be a good sign, but knowing how to move forward can be intimidating. How do you choose from all the tools out there? Starting with a few core pieces of software can make all the difference in putting you in a strong position for IT.
What Does a Business Need To Be In a Strong Position for IT?
To be in a strong position for IT, your business needs a robust communication platform like Microsoft Office 365. It facilitates efficient communication and collaboration while integrating essential tools like cloud storage.
Additionally, layering on cybersecurity measures to protect data and systems keeps communication, storage, and security well-integrated and managed. This enables your business to operate smoothly and securely, supporting its overall IT infrastructure and business goals.
Whether you’re buying groceries or a car, it’s important to know the difference between wants and needs. The same goes for IT services. After all, you don’t want to waste money on services you don’t need or, worse yet, on a subpar provider. Brian provides his excellent insight by showing that an MSP is a need when IT becomes part of your business-making decisions.
When Do IT Services Go From Being a Want to a Need?
IT transitions from a want to a need when it becomes integral to achieving business goals rather than just fixing problems. According to Brian, “IT in the past was typically run by an engineer. Engineers are really good at fixing problems and they find solutions to problems but they typically aren’t business people, and they look at the whole holistic view of what’s going on.”
This engineer-led approach often meant that IT solutions were reactive, addressing immediate issues without a broader business context. However, as businesses have become more dependent on technology, IT has transitioned into a core function that must align with the company’s strategic goals.
“Now that IT has really moved into a core function of a business, the decisions of core software and implementations typically need to come down from the business side of it,” Brian explains. This shift highlights the fact that IT decisions are increasingly being driven by organizational vision and goals rather than merely fixing problems.
Making IT decisions based on your company’s overall organization and vision ensures that technology investments support long-term objectives. If decisions are made solely from a problem-solving perspective, your company might not consider the direction it wants to go. This holistic approach consolidates needs and avoids the paralysis that can come from an overabundance of disparate technologies.
TenHats offers comprehensive IT services for businesses of all sizes. We enable small businesses to focus on core operations by offloading IT tasks and specialized expertise for larger enterprises. Our team enhances your IT capabilities through effective partnerships.
