If you are thinking of establishing your own IT department, you should consider a number of aspects. This applies right from which systems you must acquire to the policy the IT department must be run according to. Here is our list of systems, tools and procedures that create an efficient IT department.

Aspects you should consider:

• Process descriptions
• Monitoring
• Remote control
• Saw system
• Time recording
• Backup
• Knowledge database
• Patch management
• Antivirus
• Rollout
• Statistics
• System context
• Contingency plan
• Spare equipment
• Asset management
• Deployment

Below you can read more about the purposes of the various aspects of IT operations.

Process descriptions

Is the foundation for becoming a well-functioning IT department. You can't remember everything and therefore checklists or procedure descriptions (SOP – Standard Operating Procedures) are a good way to avoid mistakes.

Monitoring

You should know your infrastructure, monitor it and know before anyone else when something is wrong. Be prepared and communicate immediately if there are problems on the company's infrastructure.

Remote control

Your IT department should have a remote management program so that they can quickly help, regardless of where the users and the supporter are located.

Saw system

A case system ensures that you know what you have to do and who in the IT department is working on what, even when you are on holiday or sick.

Time recording

Shows you what you spend your time on, so it becomes easier to coordinate efforts where it benefits the most.

Backup

Your backup control routine should be in place. Daily backup with automated checking of status reports means that you are never in doubt that your data is intact if the accident happens.

Knowledge database

As part of the case system, you should have a knowledge database for documentation. Here you gather knowledge about how a problem was solved, so you save time if the problem occurs again.

Patch management

You should have a patch management system. It is a software solution that ensures that your programs and operating systems are always up to date. Then your company does not risk security gaps and unnecessary errors.

Antivirus

You must know your threat picture and your IT network. You should have a centrally managed antivirus solution to protect the company and alert in case of infections. Otherwise, you risk theft of sensitive information, credit cards, intellectual property rights etc

Rollout

You should be able to deploy software centrally. It's about being able to be efficient. Otherwise, you might have to go around to 50 computers and click the mouse every time new software needs to be installed.

Statistics

Reporting tools are a matter of course for an IT department. It is your only way to get an overview that things are in order.

System context

Use integrated systems to avoid double registration. It is about avoiding wasted time and minimizing the risk of errors.

Contingency plan

You have to be prepared that things can still go wrong. That is why you must have a contingency plan. What do you do if a server goes down so you can get back up and running as quickly as possible?

Spare equipment

If a computer does not work, you must have spare equipment ready. Have an extra computer ready so your users can stay productive.

Asset management

An asset management system is an important tool that keeps track of which hardware and software the organization uses. Without it, it can be very time-consuming to keep track of which employees have which equipment or which licenses are in use.

In addition, it is difficult to plan replacements at the right time when the useful life of hardware or software ends.

Deployment

With a deployment system, you can automatically prepare new computers and cut installation time. At the same time, it increases quality by creating uniformity towards users, because all computers are equipped with the same standard package and are therefore the same to work with.

At Supporters, we are focused every single day on improving ourselves so that we can help our users quickly and efficiently. We strive to constantly increase the quality of our work, be well-considered and aware of possible consequences.

Our behavior is to think in terms of permanent solutions rather than quick-fixes. We collect our processes in systems that are easy to use. If your IT department does the same - and acquires the systems we have mentioned above - you will be greatly helped. There are many advantages to having your own IT department - but consider whether the benefits outweigh the fixed costs that come with it.