Supercharging your IT infrastructure’s immunity in 2021

By Q2Q IT

19 Jan 2021

Kicking off the year in a third lockdown isn’t how many of us imagined 2021 starting off, however the light at the end of the tunnel has been the news about vaccines – the development and roll-out of three virus-fighting heroes that will help restore society to some form of the ‘old normal’.

Medical and vaccine-related news is something we’ve all been reading a lot of recently, however, we’ve had a think and believe there’s also an IT-support-centric analogy in there too.

As a Lancaster managed IT support company that cares about our clients’ tech wellbeing, we decided that it would be apt for our first blog of the year to tie into the current state of the nation.

A technical health check-up

In truth, we like to think of the team here at Q2Q as something akin to IT doctors. In simple terms, we look after our clients’ equipment and nurse it to full health if any complications occur – with the added skills to foresee some ‘illnesses’ and provide effective treatment at speed to prevent any digital catastrophes from taking place.

The COVID-19 pandemic currently sweeping our nation is being monitored by experts who are striving to contain and, ultimately, eradicate the virus via mass vaccinations – and while this is obviously a different kettle of fish, there is a parallel to be drawn with SME IT support.

We repeatedly bang the drum about proactive as opposed to preventative monitoring and maintenance, and this is arguably now more important than ever before – especially with remote working looking like a permanent fixture and an increased number of IT threats easily arising from the home-working sphere.

In true IT-medic style, the advice we would give to any potential patient – SME owner – would be to follow the old proverb of ‘an apple a day, keeps the doctor away’. But as much as literal apples are tasty and very nutritious, they won’t do much good for modern-day tech systems. Here, we’re speaking more figuratively…

Anti-virus: This should be, if it’s not already, a crucial component of any SME’s IT strategy. It goes without saying that all regular cyber security updates should be installed by your in-house or outsourced tech team on a regular basis, to ensure that your systems are protected against the latest online threats.

Patches and updates: It’s not just anti-virus programmes which need upgrading though, other software and hardware also need some TLC (tech-loving care) from time to time, in order to continue performing well and help to prevent unauthorised access from hackers.

Performance monitoring: Did you know that tech needs a regular health check-up – or as we like to call it, an IT audit – to ensure optimum performance is being achieved?

If you’re going to have a fit and healthy tech set up in 2021, it’s important to keep all equipment running efficiently – from desktops and laptops, to printers and servers. For example, if devices are running slowly or servers are being overloaded, this doesn’t only have a negative impact on technical performance, but the knock-on effect is also employee productivity and causing company downtime.

Rebuild and upgrades are sometimes needed to keep systems operating healthily, and that’s why it’s vital tech teams are continually identifying and remedying any pain-points as quickly as possible.

Love: Now, we might be techies who love IT, but even if you’re a technophobe, there’s no denying that devices need looking after externally as well as internally, in order to prevent any accidental damage during transit.

In this sense, laptop cases are a vital investment for staff who travel or take their device home, and while moving from place to place may not be possible in the current climate, in the future, we’ll be back to commuting and hot-desking, so it’s a solid investment for employees. Cable tidies are also useful for headphones or chargers, ensuring they don’t get twisted and damaged in transit.

Ergonomics: While looking after your business’s tech equipment is important, equally vital is taking care of yourself at work. And did you know what your workstation is a key element in creating not only a relaxed but productive one too.

Having a sturdy, spacious desk with a monitor at eye-level is one piece of the puzzle, with a supportive, adjustable chair, an ergonomic keyboard and a mouse that comfortably fits your hand are other important considerations for an effective workspace and one which reduces strain on the eyes, back and wrists.All these basic areas should be regularly assessed as part of an SME’s IT business strategy, as getting these things right can not only go a long way in helping to safeguard any short and long-term issues – such as a system outage, cyber breach, phishing attack or damaged equipment – but also creates a more productive work atmosphere for staff.

If you’d like to chat to our team of IT doctors about how best to prevent any unwelcomed tech emergencies from occurring and, ultimately, what level of support your individual firm needs, please get in touch!

Latest news

1

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway Alan McBride Muse Will Town Defence Infrastructure Organisation Jennifer Chard Defence Business Services Cllr Lynn Williams Blackpool Council Garry Bowker Vinci

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway

20 May 2025

2

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities Skiddle cheque presentation to Alder Hey Hospital

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities

20 May 2025

3

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion The site

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion

19 May 2025

4

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing Oliver Webber, Tracy Clavell-Bate and Tim Webber from Barnfield Group with Cllr Phil Riley, second from right, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing

19 May 2025

5

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025 Mark Long

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025

19 May 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
Freelancer Meet-Up May.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29
Artboard 15.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin