Growth is exciting. More clients, more staff, maybe even a bigger office. But for many Ontario businesses, growth also reveals cracks in the foundation — especially when it comes to IT.
What used to “work fine” at 10 employees starts to break down at 25. Suddenly, your team spends more time fighting with technology than serving customers.
Here are the top three IT problems that slow down growing businesses — and how to get ahead of them.
- Slow, Unreliable Systems
As your business grows, so does the strain on your computers, Wi-Fi, and servers. Outdated laptops lag, shared drives get messy, and consumer-grade networking can’t keep up with dozens of devices.
The result: wasted time, frustrated staff, and clients who notice delays.
How to fix it:
- Replace laptops every 3–4 years.
- Invest in business-grade Wi-Fi and networking.
- Move to Microsoft 365 or SharePoint to centralize files securely.
- Weak Security as Headcount Increases
Adding staff means adding accounts, devices, and access points. Without the right controls, your risk multiplies. All it takes is one stolen password or one phishing email to compromise client data.
The result: exposure to ransomware, lost files, or compliance issues under PIPEDA and insurance questionnaires.
How to fix it:
- Turn on Multifactor Authentication (MFA) across all accounts.
- Deploy Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) instead of relying only on antivirus.
- Run regular phishing awareness training so staff can spot scams.
- Reactive, Not Proactive IT Support
Many businesses rely on a “computer guy” who fixes things when they break. That works when you’re small, but with more people and more systems, reactive IT means constant interruptions, unpredictable costs, and no real plan for growth.
The result: downtime at the worst times — tax season, busy production runs, or client deadlines.
How to fix it:
- Move to a managed IT model with proactive monitoring, patching, and flat-rate support.
- Schedule quarterly IT reviews to align technology with your business roadmap.
- Create a 30–60–90 day onboarding plan for new hires to reduce setup delays.
The Bottom Line
Growing your business doesn’t have to mean outgrowing your IT. By tackling slow systems, shoring up security, and moving from reactive to proactive support, you’ll free your team to focus on what matters most — serving clients and building your business.
Ready to fix the IT problems slowing you down? Let’s build a growth-ready IT plan today. Contact us now.
