1. Maximize Resources With Cloud-Based Solutions
For startups looking to maximize limited resources, cloud-based solutions may be more viable than heavy investment in on-premises infrastructure. With the cloud, IT leaders can invest and scale their cloud services as their business grows, so it’s not a one-and-done purchase.
Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure also offer increased flexibility, scalability and built-in security, allowing teams to opt for a hybrid or multicloud model.
“Strategically using multiple cloud platforms enables you to optimize costs,” note experts writing for the Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network blog. “Most providers operate a pay-as-you-go model, typically based on usage — so if you trial a cloud solution but realize it’s not working, you can stop using it, no investment wasted.”
Startups can also scale and customize their cloud spending on a regular basis. “If one employee relies totally on a cloud service but another employee uses it infrequently, your startup isn’t tied into a large, expensive plan with capabilities that don’t get used.”
2. Prioritize Security From the Ground Up
Statistics show that at companies with fewer than 100 workers, the average employee faces 350% more social engineering attacks than employees of larger companies. This puts startups at much higher risk, which is why implementing robust security measures — from cloud to endpoint security — is critical.
Prioritizing security best practices — such as multifactor authentication, data encryption, penetration tests and vulnerability assessments — can go a long way in bolstering a startup’s security posture. Partnering with a managed security provider for 24/7 monitoring can also help with risk mitigation, particularly if the organization lacks a dedicated IT security staff.
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3. Reduce the IT Burden With Automated Workflow Tools
Implementing automation tools across workflows can help small teams significantly reduce their manual workload and devote more time to mission-critical tasks. Automation can standardize processes and reduces the chances of misconfiguration or human error, which cause 55% of cloud data breaches, according to the 2023 Thales Data Threat Report.
For instance, tools like Terraform can automate cloud computing workloads across AWS, while continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines can cut the time spent building applications manually. Startups can also protect their data with services such as Azure Backup.
4. Adopt a Scalable IT Architecture
Building a scalable infrastructure is crucial for startup success. It ensures the business can handle rapid growth, adapt to changing demands and avoid costly rebuilds as user and data volumes increase.
Cloud-based architectures are a solid option, but they aren’t the only one. Whether operating on-premises or in a public, private or hybrid cloud environment, startups should consider adopting microservices, containerization tools (such as Kubernetes, Docker and Jenkins) and API-driven architectures to build systems that scale smoothly.
Jenkins, for instance, is open-source CI/CD automation software that integrates with Docker, enabling startups to automate aspects of IT management.
READ MORE: Delegating some IT services to third-party partners can help technology initiatives.
5. Use Observability Tools to Manage Your IT Environment
Startups can use observability tools such as AIOps, OpenTelemetry and Splunk’s real-time monitoring to gauge system performance, promptly troubleshoot issues and optimize resource use. This kind of proactive monitoring helps startups avoid costly downtime so their operations stay on track.
6. Outsource to IT Managed Services
For many startups, building a full-scale, in-house IT team may not be feasible. But outsourcing IT to a trusted partner offers a practical alternative. This work-around allows startups to access expertise needed to handle help desk support, cloud management and cybersecurity
The approach can unlock significant business benefits — such as better cost control and reduced operational complexity — that wouldn’t be possible without overly expensive stopgap solutions.
“A SMB can lock itself into expensive fixes in the future if it doesn’t understand [IT] architecture from the very beginning,” Ron Walker, U.S. leader for managed services at KPMG, tells BizTech. “A managed service provider can provide that insight.”
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