Businesses often lean toward short-term fixes to address immediate IT challenges. They often avoid the discomfort of committing to a long-term, future-focused strategy.
Much like throwing more RAM at a speed problem, an immediate solution might not address the underlying issue.
Future-proofing business strategy
Some short-term solutions can provide value. However, it is essential to ensure that they do not limit future enhancements. They must align with long-term objectives that remain sustainable over time. Foresight becomes key in this process.
Whether it’s implementing a temporary software tool to manage a specific project or task, or repeatedly rebooting servers to fix downtime, quick fixes may lead to setbacks. These issues may require corrective costs down the line.
Striking the right balance between short-term solutions and long-term goals is crucial. Businesses must be willing to transition to a longer-term approach, even if it involves initial discomfort, for sustainable growth.
The benefits of IT future-proofing
Investing in a platform or ecosystem brings many benefits. Scalability, cost-effectiveness over time, sustainability, enhanced integration, improved security and better productivity all contribute to future-proofing a business. Future-proofing IT solutions does not mean predicting the future, but preparing for changes.
Research conducted by global management consulting firm McKinsey found that, across industries, software projects exceeded timelines and costs. However, these projects brought immense value and adaptability in the long run. In contrast, the lower cost of non-software projects led to minimal long-term benefits.
Managing user resistance to change
The biggest hindrance to modernising a business’s technology stack is user acceptance. It is key to work with solutions that make it easier for people to accept change. Microsoft has done well in this regard by creating an ecosystem of familiarity. Despite changing solutions or back-end technology, the user interface remains the same.
Future-proofing IT solutions does not mean changing everything straight away. What needs 
to be done is to start driving the right behaviour and approach. Take a holistic view and align service offerings and solutions based on where the business is going.
By applying foresight planning strategies and advanced technology solutions, businesses can become more agile. They will be better equipped to anticipate future developments.
Next time a business considers making a piecemeal upgrade, they should consider the benefits of a phased approach. Compatibility, scalability and performance must better suit what the future of the business might hold.
Grant van der Westhuizen | Sales Manager | Business Applications | Braintree | mail me |
