Give Your Business an Edge with a Professional Assessment in the New Year

While you’re planning projects and setting goals for the months ahead, there’s one area of your business that deserves special attention: your technology infrastructure.

 

Even if your internal IT team keeps things running smoothly, sometimes you need a fresh set of expert eyes to look under the hood. That’s when partnering with a Managed Services Provider (MSP) makes all the difference. These technology experts bring years of cross-industry experience and specialized tools to evaluate your systems in ways that just aren’t possible with internal resources alone.

 

Want to start the new year with confidence in your technology? Let’s look at three key assessments that could transform how your business operates. Each one sheds light on different aspects of your technology ecosystem, helping you make smarter decisions about where to invest and what to improve.

Network Assessment: Understanding Your Digital Foundation

A professional network assessment reveals the true state of your technology infrastructure through a systematic, multi-phase approach. A Managed Services provider will begin by creating a comprehensive map of every connected device on your network– from servers and workstations to printers and mobile devices. This discovery phase reveals not just what exists on your network, but how these components interact and where potential issues lurk.

During the assessment, the MSP will monitor network performance across multiple days, capturing both typical usage patterns and peak demand periods. This monitoring reveals bottlenecks that might go unnoticed during casual observation but could be quietly impacting productivity.

The assessment examines:

• Hardware inventory and lifecycle status
• Network configurations and security settings
• Bandwidth use patterns
• Backup systems and disaster recovery capabilities
• Server performance and capacity
• Network bottlenecks and performance issues

Common findings often reveal:

• Aging hardware operating past its optimal lifecycle
• Misconfigured network settings limiting performance
• Inadequate backup solutions putting data at risk
• Unnecessary redundancies in systems and software
• Bandwidth constraints during peak usage times
• Security vulnerabilities in network architecture

What sets a professional assessment apart from an in-house evaluation is the context an MSP provides. They will explain how your infrastructure compares to industry standards and what improvements would most benefit your specific business operations. You’ll receive clear recommendations for hardware upgrades, network optimization, and infrastructure improvements, prioritized by business impact and urgency.

Preparation for a Network Assessment:

• Gather network documentation and diagrams
• List known issues or concerns
• Identify critical systems and peak usage times
• Prepare access credentials for systems review
• Alert staff about monitoring activities

Cybersecurity Assessment: Protecting Your Business Assets

Today’s cyber threats require a sophisticated defense evaluation. A professional cybersecurity assessment examines your security from multiple angles, using specialized tools to probe your defenses much like an actual cybercriminal would. This comprehensive approach reveals vulnerabilities that might be missed by standard security checks.

The assessment process includes:

• External vulnerability scanning of public-facing systems
• Internal security configuration review
• Access control and user permission analysis
• Security policy and procedure evaluation
• Backup and disaster recovery assessment
• Employee security awareness evaluation
• Incident response plan review

For businesses subject to regulatory compliance (i.e. HIPAA, PCI), the assessment provides important insights into your compliance status. MSPs understand these complex requirements and can identify gaps you might not know exist. Their recommendations include specific steps to achieve or maintain compliance, helping you avoid costly violations.

Key security findings often include:

• Outdated software versions with known vulnerabilities
• Weak password policies and access controls
• Insufficient data backup procedures
• Gaps in employee security training
• Missing security patches and updates
• Inadequate network segmentation
• Non-compliant data handling practices

Based on their findings, an MSP will provide a prioritized roadmap for improving your security posture. They consider your business context, budget constraints, and operational needs when recommending security improvements.

Preparing for a Security Assessment:

• Document current security policies
• List compliance requirements
• Gather incident response procedures
• Prepare access to security systems
• Alert staff about security testing

Copier and Printer Image Output Assessment: Optimizing Workflow and Sustainability

This assessment reveals opportunities for improvement in both workplace productivity and environmental impact. An MSP will deploy monitoring tools to track usage patterns and conduct targeted interviews to understand document workflows. This dual approach reveals both technical metrics and real-world usage patterns.

Key areas examined:

• Print volumes by department and device
• Document workflow patterns
• Energy consumption metrics
• Paper usage and waste patterns
• User behavior and needs
• Total cost of ownership
• Environmental impact calculations

Common discoveries include:

• Underutilized devices increasing costs
• Inefficient document routing
• Excessive color printing
• Paper-heavy processes ready for digital transformation
• High energy consumption from older devices
• Unnecessary personal printers
• Opportunities for automated workflows

Preparation steps:

• Gather current printer inventory
• Collect recent utility bills
• Document known workflow issues
• List departmental printing requirements
• Prepare access to print management systems

Implementation and Next Steps

After completing these assessments, your MSP will provide:

• Detailed findings report with metrics and benchmarks
• Prioritized recommendations based on business impact
• Cost analysis for proposed improvements
• Implementation timeline and milestones
• ROI calculations for major changes
• Options for phased implementation
• Training recommendations

Maximize your assessment value by:

• Sharing business goals and constraints upfront
• Providing complete access to systems and documentation
• Ensuring key stakeholders are available for interviews
• Reviewing findings thoroughly with your MSP
• Developing an action plan based on recommendations
• Scheduling regular follow-up reviews

Long-term Benefits

Proactive Problem Prevention 

Think of this as your early warning system. Instead of discovering server issues during a critical client presentation or finding out about network vulnerabilities after a breach, regular assessments help you spot and address potential problems while they’re still minor hiccups.

Strategic Technology Planning 

Rather than making tech decisions based on what’s urgently breaking or what’s trending, assessments give you a clear roadmap. You’ll understand which systems need immediate upgrading, which can wait, and where new technologies could create competitive advantages.

Improved Operational Efficiency 

Regular assessments often reveal surprising inefficiencies in your day-to-day operations. Maybe your team is using three different file-sharing systems when one would work better, or perhaps your network configuration is causing unnecessary delays between departments. These insights help you streamline workflows and eliminate redundancies that quietly drain productivity.

Enhanced Security Posture 

Comprehensive assessments uncover vulnerabilities in unexpected places – like outdated firmware on printers, overlooked admin accounts from former employees, or shadow IT systems employees have introduced without proper vetting. Each assessment helps you build stronger defenses against evolving threats.

Better Budget Allocation 

Assessments might reveal you’re over-investing in some areas while underinvesting in others. For example, you might discover you’re paying for unused software licenses while needing to upgrade critical security infrastructure. This insight helps you redistribute resources where they’ll deliver the most value.

Reduced Environmental Impact 

Modern technology assessments don’t just look at performance – they consider power consumption, hardware lifecycle, and resource utilization. You might find opportunities to reduce energy costs by consolidating servers, implementing smart power management, or identifying equipment that’s ready for eco-friendly upgrades. This not only helps the planet but often reduces operational costs, too.

Competitive Advantage Through Optimization 

When your technology works better, so does your business. Regular assessments help you maintain peak performance across all systems, enabling faster response times to market changes and customer needs. While competitors struggle with system limitations, you’ll have the agility to seize new opportunities and serve clients more effectively.

Knowledge and Documentation Progress 

Each assessment builds your institutional knowledge base. You’ll develop a clearer picture of your technology ecosystem’s evolution, making future decisions easier and more informed. This documentation becomes invaluable for compliance requirements, training new team members, and planning future innovations.

Risk Management and Compliance 

Regular assessments help you stay ahead of regulatory requirements and industry standards. Instead of scrambling to meet new compliance demands, you’ll have a clear understanding of your current position and what adjustments might be needed. This proactive stance can save significant time and resources while reducing legal and operational risks.

Moving Forward

There’s no better time than the start of a new year to take a close look at your technology foundation. As you’re planning for 2025, these assessments provide the insights you need to make confident decisions about where to invest and what to improve. You’ll start the new year with more than just a snapshot of your current technology – you’ll have a clear roadmap for using that technology to drive your business forward.

We’re ready to help you work smarter.