Your construction firm can reap many benefits from hiring an IT support company, from reduced downtime to improved communication. However, that doesn’t mean hiring a managed service provider (MSP) will always go off without a hitch.
Getting an IT company on board also brings its own challenges. That’s because while MSPs help businesses with technology, many construction firms are often ill-prepared for digital transformation. That could cause issues, like culture clash or other problems that can disrupt your workflow.
Thankfully, there is a way to address the issues between MSPs and construction firms. And that is by acknowledging these problems and preparing for them.
Intelligent Technical Solutions (ITS) is a managed security service provider (MSSP) that has helped hundreds of businesses with high-quality IT services. In this article, we’ll dive into the challenges that might come up when a construction firm hires an MSP. That will enable you to prepare and meet your IT company halfway, so you can get the most out of the service they provide.
Common Problems When Hiring an IT Company for Your Construction Firm
According to MGI’s digitization index, the construction industry is among the least digitized sectors in the world. Worse, it has significantly impacted the sector’s labor productivity growth. The report found that construction has averaged growth of only 1% a year over the past two decades, compared to 3.6% in the case of manufacturing.
Fortunately, there has been a recent shift as more construction firms have realized they must adapt to today’s digital landscape to stay competitive in the long run. Many have chosen to outsource their digital transformation to fast-track their progress. However, rushing the process can raise some issues. Take a look at some of the common challenges that you might face when your construction firm hires an IT company:
1. Initial Cost of Hardware and Software Update
Many construction companies have adopted the concept of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The result is that they are still relying on legacy technology, believing they’re saving money by avoiding investing in new infrastructure. The problem is that failing to upgrade could actually hurt your budget in other ways.
As legacy systems grow older, they are more likely to fail and require more maintenance, ultimately leading to higher costs. In addition, outdated technology can reduce your team’s productivity and efficiency, which could lead to project delays or worse.
If you want to make the most of your partnership with an MSP, your firm must prepare to make those necessary upgrades. Otherwise, you will pay more to keep running less-efficient, outdated technology.
2. Culture Clash
Many people join the construction industry because they enjoy working with their hands using traditional building methods. That’s the reason adding technology into the mix can often be met with resistance. In fact, determining whether employees will embrace new technology in their daily lives is one of the toughest hurdles to tech adoption. While doing it carelessly can hurt your productivity, the merits of new technology far outweigh the cons.
Hiring an MSP for construction companies means your team needs to be prepared to adopt new technology. That will help them make the most out of the new systems your IT company will implement. The less resistance you experience, the more efficiency you will see down the line.
3. Unique Compliance Challenges
The construction industry is unique; it’s full of different types of companies with unique compliance challenges for each one. Your requirements will depend on the kind of products you’re offering and the type of information you’re storing from your clients and employees.
If you don’t find an MSP with experience handling construction companies like yours, they might have trouble keeping up with necessary regulations and standards. Thankfully, there are IT companies out there that have a lot of experience helping firms like yours achieve compliance; you just need to do your homework to find them.
4. Aligning Cybersecurity Priorities
There are a lot of firms out there that don’t believe they store any information cybercriminals are interested in. However, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Ransomware attacks and data breaches can target proprietary information like project designs, bid information, employee data, financial records, etc. The problem is not a lot of firms understand that, which could lead to them treating cybersecurity as a low priority.
A reliable MSP will aim to improve your cybersecurity. If you don’t hold it with the same level of importance as they do, it may cause friction between you and your IT company. It’s crucial to understand the importance of cybersecurity to the longevity of your business. That way, you’ll both be on the same page when you hire them.
Ready to Face the Challenges of Hiring an MSP for Your Construction Company?
Outsourcing your IT doesn’t mean you will leave everything related to technology to the company you hired. It’s a collaborative effort between you and your IT company. That’s why it’s vital to know the common challenges your construction firm might face when you hire an MSP so that you will be better prepared to make the most out of the partnership.
At ITS, we’ve been helping construction companies make the most out of new technology for over a decade. Find out how we can help you by scheduling a free consultation. Or, you can learn more about how the construction industry and managed IT can work hand in hand. Check out the following resources:
- The Ultimate Guide to Managed IT for Construction Companies
- 6 Managed IT Benefits for Construction Companies (+ Free Guide)