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Category: IT Strategic Planning

  • Plan Designer: Build Business Apps Without Coding

    Small businesses often face a frustrating gap: off-the-shelf software doesn’t quite fit, and custom solutions feel out of reach. That’s changing.

    What’s New:

    Microsoft’s Power Platform now includes Plan Designer, a tool for describing a business problem in plain language and generating a working prototype.

    You might say:

    “We need an app for field technicians to log inspections, a flow to alert the manager if something fails, and a dashboard to track progress.”

    The Plan Designer responds with a draft solution. It teases out the roles of the people who will interact with the application, what tables will store the data, and what software, such as reports, applications, and alerts, needs to be created.

    Why It Matters:

    This isn’t just a shortcut. It’s a shift in who gets to design and, in some cases, build the applications in our businesses. With Plan Designer, business users without technical skills can iteratively think through the software design process without knowing how to create flow charts. This empowers the user to more accurately define the details of the solution they require and increase their awareness of what is required “under the hood” for a production-ready application. This means business users can start solving problems without waiting on developers.

    Real-World Example:

    A store manager turned a paper checklist into a mobile app one afternoon. No coding. Just clarity.

    A Word of Caution:

    The first draft is just that—a draft. If your solution touches sensitive data or connects to other systems, it is smart to bring in a professional to review and secure it.

    Want to see how this fits into your strategy?

    Read the full article here for examples, tips, and next steps.

  • AI, Now What? Thought Starters for Your AI Strategy

    AI is changing how we solve problems, make decisions, and run our businesses. But as AI becomes more powerful, the key question isn’t just “What can AI do?”—it’s “What should people do?” What role do humans play in a workplace shaped by AI? And how do we prepare our organizations to use AI wisely?

    This article highlights key areas to strengthen your AI strategy—especially the human skills that make AI more effective. They may not be technical tools, but they’re just as essential. If you’re building or updating your AI strategy, these are the conversations to start now.

    1. Ask Better Questions

    AI is only as helpful as the questions we ask. Tools like the “5 Whys” help uncover root causes, but good questions also need context, judgment, and experience—things only people bring.
    Help your team ask sharper, more strategic questions. This leads to better answers from AI and stronger decisions overall.
    Want to go deeper? 

    2. Build Wisdom Through Diverse Perspectives

    AI delivers data. People bring wisdom. That wisdom grows through experience and by listening to different points of view.
    One way to build this into your culture is silent brainstorming. Give each person 5–15 minutes to write down ideas without discussion. Then, meet the next day to reflect and plan. Over time, your team will get better at turning ideas into action.
    For example, our team uses a structured creative problem-solving process. Each member is trained to work through challenges using this framework—often bringing in a colleague to gain a fresh perspective. At our most recent strategic retreat, this approach helped the team align department objectives with company goals in a focused, half-day session.

    3. Strengthen Community and Communication

    Strong teams challenge each other. Weak teams say, “Whatever you like.” While that kind of agreement may seem polite, it can block innovation and lead to poor decisions.
    Create a culture where people feel safe speaking up. Help your team understand different communication styles and their pros and cons. This will make the above problem-solving sessions more effective. If they gather answers from AI, they will have the tools to discuss and evaluate those responses for accuracy and effectiveness.

    A helpful resource: Being assertive: Reduce stress, communicate better – Mayo Clinic

    4. Don’t Confuse Confidence with Accuracy

    AI can sound confident—even when it’s wrong. That’s why human oversight is essential.
    Ask yourself:
    – What checks are in place to review AI-generated content?
    – Which tasks can run without human review—and which ones can’t?
    These are policy decisions, not just technical ones. Make those decisions intentionally.

    In our own work, we developed an AI agent to respond to customer inquiries using senior-level engineering knowledge. While many responses were accurate, some missed the mark—or worse, felt off-putting. We added a human review step, and the quality of responses improved significantly. So did our team’s confidence in using AI responsibly.

    Final Thought: Keep the Human in the Loop

    AI can boost your team’s abilities—but only if your team knows how to use it well. That means investing in human skills like questioning, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.
    These skills aren’t just nice to have—they’re what make AI work in the real world.
    Need help building your AI strategy?
    We help small and mid-sized organizations design and implement AI strategies that work—both technically and culturally. From training and workshops to full implementation, we’re here to help.
    👉 Let’s talk about what’s next for your organization.

    TechHouse

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  • IT Budget Changes for 2025: A Simple Guide

    Organizations need to prepare for significant shifts in IT budgets in 2025. Let’s explore the main areas to focus on:

    Cybersecurity

    The world of online threats is growing, and so are the rules for fighting them. It’s time to beef up your defenses with smarter security measures, like AI that detects threats. Stay on top of the newest security measures to cover your bases. Check out TechHouse’s guide on cybersecurity best practices to ensure you’re well-protected. Our Aware for Microsoft 365 report provides a simplified view of your Microsoft 365 security for email, files, and more.

    Cloud Services

    Cloud services aren’t going anywhere, but managing costs will matter more than ever. Consider better ways to handle your cloud resources and hybrid solutions to balance cost and effectiveness. Streamline your services by combining communication and workflow tools into a single platform. Monitor adoption and usage reports to understand value and cost effectiveness.

    Trends in Microsoft Cloud

    Leverage Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem to stay ahead in 2025. The Microsoft AI Platform, including Azure AI and Microsoft Copilot, offers advanced AI capabilities to enhance productivity, creativity, and security. Additionally, the Microsoft Dynamics 365 suite provides integrated CRM and ERP solutions, enabling better customer experiences, operational efficiency, and data-driven decision-making.

    Hardware and Infrastructure

    Expect to spend more on hardware as the need to update old equipment and support remote workers grows. Many businesses invested in new equipment in 2020/2021, and probably time for an update. Many of these, from computers to firewalls, are available virtually on a subscription basis. For some needs, Cloud PCs might be a more affordable option.

    Software Licensing

    The bill for software, especially for AI, automation, and team collaboration tools, is increasing. The good news? Like hardware, software is now available primarily by subscription. As new needs arise, you can adjust without being stuck with old tech.

    IT Support and Training

    With the rise of new tech, training your team to handle it, especially AI and cybersecurity is a must. Training is for more than just the IT crowd; everyone should be up to following company tech policies. Most cyber security insurance policies today require cybersecurity awareness training.

    Data Backup and Recovery

    Given the increasing risks, it is wise to invest more money in backing up your data and quick recovery options. Downtime can be expensive, so having several ways to recover is smart. Keep in mind that the cloud software providers are not responsible for breaches that occur on your accounts.

    Scalability

    As your business grows, your IT needs will too. Investing in scalable solutions, like modular hardware or flexible cloud services, will help you meet future needs without breaking the bank. Balance the flexibility of month-to-month plans with the discounts that come with annual commitments.

    Compliance

    Rules are changing, and spending to keep up with compliance, especially to protect sensitive data, will need to go up. Whether following new industry guidelines or ensuring your tech meets specific standards, compliance can’t be ignored.

    In summary, 2025’s IT budgets for small businesses are about making smart, future-focused investments, particularly in security, efficiency, and growth. With careful planning, your business can navigate these changes smoothly.

    Connect with us for more information:

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  • MSP Contracts to Avoid in 2024: The Importance of Cybersecurity and Workflow Optimization

    MSP Contracts to Avoid in 2024: The Importance of Cybersecurity and Workflow Optimization

    In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, Small and Midsize Businesses (SMBs) are witnessing a significant shift in IT needs. 

    With the need for support and maintenance rapidly declining, SMBs positioned for the future are investing far fewer dollars in MSP-provided infrastructure services and reallocating that investment to workflow optimization and cyber security – both of which rely heavily on AI. 

    This article aims to guide SMB leaders in allocating their IT investment for the most value in 2024.

    The Original Need for Managed Services

    The traditional managed services model emerged in the early 2000s when operating systems were prone to unexpectedly shutting down or “blue screening.” At the time, businesses with as few as five employees like had an exchange server for email and file servers in their offices with substantial resources allocated to keep systems up and running. 

    Managed Service Providers (MSPs) automated and standardized the maintenance of these environments, creating a win-win for the small business to have stability for the technical infrastructure and for the MSP to have a profitable business providing that much-needed service.

    Decline in the Need for Managed Services

    Several factors have significantly reduced the need for Infrastructure Managed Services, including:

    • Cloud Software as a Service – Complex Servers like Exchange for Email and SharePoint for File Sharing and Collaboration are now hosted and managed by Microsoft in the Cloud. No more patching these servers on “Patch-Tuesday” and hoping they run Wednesday morning.
    • Windows 11 Stabilization – Microsoft has been working on significant stability improvements for Windows 11, which could lead to fewer system issues and lessen the need for IT support.
    • Helpdesk Automation and Self-Service – Numerous factors have empowered end users to quickly resolve far more problems independently. Just some of these are vendor-curated knowledgebases, advances in search engines, ready-access to media libraries that are content reach with how-to’s such as YouTube, and now AI’s reasoning engine and large language model are readily accessible via tools like ChatGPT and Bing.com/Chat.

    IT Spend is Still Critical

    While these factors may reduce the need for traditional managed services, they don’t eliminate the need for IT Services. Cybersecurity, workflow optimization, and other IT needs remain critical.

    Rise in Cyberthreats and Protections

    In “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” the British Prime Minister converses with the Minister for Magic. The British Prime Minister, overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation and the threat Voldemort poses, exclaims, “But you’re wizards! You can do magic! Surely you can sort out — well — anything!” In response, the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, says, “The trouble is, the other side can do magic too, Prime Minister.”

    This is like our challenge with Artificial Intelligence (AI). It can be a great way to protect, but the hackers also have access to AI to attack. Threats are rapidly changing, and organizations must continue up their defenses.

    In response to this escalating struggle, SMB IT investment in cybersecurity is increasing. About a fifth of the IT budget is dedicated to security. 47% of SMBs planned to invest in cyber security risk mitigation in 2023.

    A primary driver for Cybersecurity capabilities is Cybersecurity Insurance. Rates and coverage are often affected by ongoing security policies in the software, MFA, anti-phishing testing and training, business-grade cloud VPN, third-party backups, and EDR.

    Workflow Optimization and AI

    Workflow optimization involves streamlining processes within your organization to increase efficiency and productivity. This can involve everything from automating repetitive tasks to implementing new software that helps manage workflows more effectively. In 2021, two-thirds of SMBs said automation allowed them to compete with larger companies.

    Some of the more common workflow optimizations we have designed and built for our customers are:

    • Task Creation – This keeps the team on the same page regarding which tasks have been completed and which still need to be done. Examples include the referral qualification process and invoice collection processes.
    • Template Creation – This standardizes document management. Examples include creating folders and subfolders to reflect process lifecycle steps along with standard Excel and Word templates for each step. Templates are implemented in all areas of the organization, including sales, operations, and back office.
    • Alerts – These are triggered when tasks are late or neglected. Examples include opportunities without defined next steps, support cases without activity in the past 24 hours, and accounts without account management activity in the past 90 days.

    Rethinking Long-Term Contracts

    Long-term contracts are not in the best interest of SMBs. 

    MSPS and software publishers often strive for high-margin profitability in the later years of their contracts. 

    However, as technology continues to change, it is critical to have the flexibility to shift that IT spend from maintenance of older stabilized technologies to critical newer strategic innovation, such as workflow optimization. These require short-term annual or even month-to-month agreements.

    In Conclusion

    The landscape of IT for SMBs is changing rapidly. 

    While annual or even 3-year managed services and help desk support were once the primary focus of IT spending, the trend has shifted away from these as they are not needed as much, and they are not flexible enough to face the rapidly changing world we are in today.

    Instead, invest in a strong SAAS foundation managed by the software publisher (e.g., Microsoft 365 Business Premium, QuickBooksOnline). Take those savings and invest them in critical areas today – cybersecurity and workflow optimization. 

    By understanding these trends and adapting accordingly, you can ensure that your organization is in a good position for the future.