5 Key IT Challenges for Startups

Being a startup means taking risks, and with that comes uncertainty. As a young business, you'll likely have to move fast and work on tight budgets—both of which can be challenging in their own right. But there's another major hurdle that every startup must overcome: IT. You need a way to keep track of everything from your people and content to key data and business intel without any downtime or security issues. Explore 5 of the biggest IT challenges for startups below.

1. Connecting your people in the cloud

Communication is key, and that is especially true for startups. As a startup, some of your initial goals should be around connecting your people and content. To do this, you first need to connect people to each other—with a collaborative platform, like Microsoft Teams or Zoom. You also need to connect people to the cloud, which means making sure that everyone has access on their devices and can share files securely. With the proliferation of remote and hybrid work, it’s also important to plan for offline functionality—and make sure it’s easy for users who are working remotely or traveling frequently (like sales reps) to keep track of important documents wherever they go.

It can be difficult to determine your best route to the cloud. iuvo Technologies can create a personalized cloud plan that best suits your unique needs—whether it's Azure, AWS, or a different method.

2. Seamlessly scaling up and down

Seamlessly scaling up and down is a challenge for all businesses, but it's especially important for startups. You want to be able to grow your business quickly while keeping costs low, so you need to find a way to seamlessly scale up and down in response to changes in demand.

Cloud computing helps with this issue by providing the ability to quickly add more resources when you need them, then scale back down when demand decreases. This means that you can spend less time worrying about infrastructure management and more time focusing on growing your company's revenue stream. We’re experts in the cloud, and can help take your organization from IT chaos to clarity. Check out our other blog post to learn more! 

3. Keeping track of data

As a startup, you’re likely to have many data sources and just as many questions about what they mean. How do you know which metrics are important? What are the right metrics for your company?

Data is powerful—it can be used to help you make better decisions and improve your processes. But only if it’s accurate. To get the most out of your data, you need to start with a clean slate and make sure that everything is up-to-date, organized, and secure. Define your unique requirements and find a data management system that fits them. You can also work with an experienced manager services provider to help ensure your data is safe and organized. 

4. Protecting business data and intellectual property

Once your data is tracked down and organized, you need to focus on protecting it. Startups have unique security concerns—and not just because they're likely storing sensitive customer data. Many startups often operate from one person's home or a small office, so they may not have physical security like other businesses do. If someone breaks into the location, for example, all of their equipment is at risk for being stolen or hacked into (or both). 

In terms of protecting other data and IP, there are some initial steps to take:

• Make sure all employees understand the importance of protecting sensitive information.
• Train your IT staff on how to handle and store sensitive materials, as well as how to avoid common cyberattack techniques like phishing and social engineering.
• Consider using encryption software that provides strong protection against hackers trying to access your network or steal customer data through malicious software installed on company devices (e.g., laptops).
• Consider working with a third-party provider; they can handle security and keep your IP safe, without putting more on your plate. iuvo Technologies has experience working with startups and protecting their sensitive data. Contact us today! 

5. Finding flexible IT partners to grow with

Startups need to be able to adapt and scale up or down quickly. They may start with a small IT infrastructure of two or three people; then, when they grow, their needs will change from one server running in a closet to 10 servers running in an office next door. Startups should be able to accommodate that kind of growth without breaking down.

In order to do this successfully, you need to have the right people, tools, processes and systems in place. The first step is determining who will manage all of your IT operations for you, or if you’ll be working with a third-party. This person or group will be responsible for everything from updating software updates to upgrading hardware components as needed. When thinking about who you’ll hire, experience matters. At iuvo Technologies, our consultants have an average of 22 years of experience between them—meaning that they’ll be able to fix, or learn how to fix, any problem that comes your way. We have experience in a variety of areas including Startups, Life Sciences & Biotech, DevOps, and more. 

The IT challenges for startups are unique and complex. But partnering with an experienced MSP like iuvo Technologies helps ensure you can focus on growing your business—while we do the rest. Explore our startup services offerings, or contact us today.