The reason any business invests in technology is to solve problems, increase efficiency, and enhance productivity. In recent years, law firms have experienced a renewed focus on technology upgrades that aid security and enhance their operations.
But it’s important to examine how these upgrades are being made, and who is in charge of them. Who creates the IT budget, forecasts trends in the industry, and handles strategic planning for your technology department? Large firms may have a sizable IT department headed by a chief information officer while smaller and mid-sized firms believe they are left to navigate those waters on their own.
Consider a vCIO
One way that small and medium-sized firms can handle their IT needs is through a virtual chief information officer (vCIO). A vCIO usually comes in the form of a variety of managed IT services that fulfill several needs typically handled internally.
You may have heard the term “Software as a Service” to describe pay-as-you-go licensing for cloud applications. Well, a vCIO is kind of like “Information Technology as a Service” and it’s an efficient, cost-effective way to handle the growing and demanding needs of your law firm’s IT infrastructure.
Here are just a few of the many benefits that a vCIO can benefit your firm:
Save Money
A vCIO provides a solution to managing your IT needs that is more cost effective than hiring a full-time candidate. vCIO services are managed IT services that are billed on a flat, recurring monthly, weekly, or sometimes annual rate.
Not only is the cost lower than hiring a full-time technology officer, it remains consistent month to month. This allows your organization to plan and prepare for this fixed cost in your monthly or quarterly budgets.
Beyond simple tech support, vCIOs are also tasked with drafting long-term technology plans and harmonizing your existing systems. This means less downtime, more productivity, and higher revenue.
Staying Current
The worst seven words in business are “because we’ve always done it this way.” When it comes to information technology, new products, trends, and services are always on the horizon. Your vCIO will be up to date on the latest systems and best practices.
Remaining competitive and up to date is paramount and a vCIO can help keep your organization on the right track technologically.
Provide Direction
vCIO’s are tasked with analyzing and planning your strategic IT development. This includes budgeting for new technology and planning upgrades. vCIOs can provide direction to an organization that is otherwise flying blind when it comes to IT compliance, regulatory requirements, and business process management.
Plan and Execute Disaster Recovery
It’s no secret that 2017 has been one of the worst years for data breaches. Disaster can strike in many forms, from malicious and targeted attacks to natural disasters. Everything from a hacker to a thunderstorm can cause massive IT headaches if you aren’t prepared.
Whether it’s a thunderstorm or a flood, a disaster recovery plan is a must-have for businesses of all kinds, but especially law firms which rely heavily on the uninterrupted performance of their IT systems. A vCIO can create, test, and execute a comprehensive disaster recovery plan to ensure that if disaster strikes your organization can weather the storm with minimal downtime and loss of revenue.
Ready To Go Virtual?
If you’re a business in the Toronto area that is struggling with IT development and management, a vCIO may be right for you. Vertex is Toronto’s leading IT support company for law firms. For over 20 years we have been serving the Toronto legal establishment as well as other industries with highly secure, robust, and flexible IT support services.
If you’re interested in exploring whether a vCIO is right for you, contact us today for a consultation.