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Why Your Internal IT Department is So Important

Information technology (IT) services are essential for keeping modern businesses running smoothly. IT teams build platforms to perform vital business functions, safeguard your company’s and employees’ sensitive data, maintain equipment to ensure productivity, and much more.

They’re the backbone of business; without them, operations would slow down and maybe even come to a halt.

In fact, the importance of IT is so high and their function so vital that the demand for IT skills is outpacing the available workforce.

This means that investing in the success of your internal IT department should be a top priority. You can start today by being great partner to your IT team.

We interviewed Ben Roberts, Software Development Manager at Insight Global, to find out how you can get started.

Q: Why is IT so important?

A: It’s all about how your IT department is perceived from the start. A lot of IT departments are stereotyped, that are the guys at home playing video games who you call when your computer won’t turn on. You can look at your IT Department as a support function, but it’s vital to look at them as a value-added service. They can make anything the company does infinitely better. Also, remember to thank your IT team. They only hear from people when things are going wrong.

Q: How has the IT department at Insight Global evolved?

A: When I started at Insight Global there were 40 people in our IT department. We were there for support, to make sure the computers work, and to keep the website up and running. Slowly, the company realized they could build things that would enhance business not just keep it afloat. The service desk has grown tremendously, developers have grown immensely, and we have a terrific cybersecurity team.

Q: What is cybersecurity?

A: Cybersecurity is everything from the network, servers, website, to the shared drives on everyone’s individual computers. Everything is connected. If someone is able to gain access to one computer, they have access to all. Cyber security is important because organizations store unprecedented amounts of data on computers and other devices. A significant portion of that data can be sensitive information, whether that be intellectual property, financial data, personal information, or other types of data for which unauthorized access or exposure could have negative consequences. Your cybersecurity team is there to protect you. It’s one of the most important things that your IT department can do for your company.

Q: Why is technical support so important?

A: Down time is the number one reason. You need technical support so you can get back up and running to continue your day-to-day functions. Having a good service desk and help desk is so important. They need to be efficient and have quality technology to solve things quickly.

Q: What should a great IT team look like?

A: They should respond to issues in a timely manner. Websites are going to go down, and you’re going to have issues but they should be there to work with you. They should be a good partner and you should be able to work together on things. They also should have scalability and be able to grow with the business.

Q: How can you be a good partner to the IT Team?

A: Understanding that we are in this together, taking the concept and stereotype of IT servicing you and throwing that in the trash. Be patient with them as well, they have a process to stick to and it’s important to let them get through that process. Never go to IT with a solution, only with a problem. Trust that they have to knowledge to fix the issue and Let them solve the problem.


READ NEXT: 7 Essential Roles Potentially Missing from Your IT Team


IT Appreciation as a Business Priority

Appreciating your IT team can lead to greater collaboration, more innovation, better processes, and higher retention of an in-demand skill set, all of which positively impact business outcomes.

You can start by improving your partnership with IT teams and understanding why what they do has a significant impact on your business.