Setting Up a Basic IT System

1. Your Requirements

1.1 Consider what you will use your IT system for.

Typical uses include:

• Managing your accounts, producing invoices and running payroll.
• Customer relationship management or a central customer database.
• Email and the Internet.
• Producing letters, leaflets and other printed material.
• Processing sales and stock control.
• Word processing and presentations.

1.2 Examine objectively how your business operates and whether there are functions which could be more effectively carried out using IT.

• You can bring in an IT consultant to offer an external perspective and new ideas.
• For instance, you could use a customer relationship management (CRM) system to track every contact with customers and improve retention.

1.3 Work out how many employees will be using the system.

• If you have fewer than five employees, a simple system without a central server may be adequate.
• If you employ many staff, the system will need more capacity. A central server would be advisable.

1.4 Consider the importance of Internet access.

• If your company relies on the Internet to do business, you will need a robust connection.

1.5 Identify any unusual requirements your business has.

• Do you need to run any non-standard software?
• Does a staff member with a disability need particular software or hardware to do their job?