What’s ‘Janky’ about your IT?

The term “janky” is often used to describe something that is unsteady, or not well-constructed. “Janky IT” refers to information technology (IT) systems or solutions that are considered poor quality, unreliable, or makeshift in nature. Such systems are often hastily put together, lacking professional design or planning and may not function reliably. In this blog post, we’ll outline some of the most common examples of janky IT we see in our everyday work and provide some tips on how to overcome these problems. 

Janky IT can result from various factors, such as tight deadlines, limited resources, inadequate planning, or a lack of IT expertise/leadership. Here’s a list of some of the most common examples we see: 

• Outdated hardware (computers, servers, firewalls, switches) 
• Lack of IT policies (I.e. Standard Operating Procedures, remote access policy, data sovereignty) 
• Lack of IT standards (i.e. Multifactor Authentication) 
• Microsoft licensing issues 
• Lack of governance, risk and compliance  

So how do you overcome janky IT? For many businesses they decide to outsource their IT to a Managed Service Provider (MSP) that will help guide them through their technology journey; one that involves ongoing planning and strategic IT investment. Here’s a list of some of the services most MSPs offer clients to help them better leverage their IT: 

• Annual technology reviews  
• IT budgeting 
• Project planning 
• vCIO services 
• Computer refresh plan (Evergreen Plan) 
• Cybersecurity training
• Cybersecurity assessments

  The Supercharged Way: Technology Scorecards 

Avoiding “janky IT” requires a long-term IT strategy and plan. At Nucleus, a key aspect to formalizing each clients IT roadmap is the Technology Scorecard; one of the main outputs of onboarding. Technology Scorecards are delivered annually (at a minimum) and include detailed recommendations and applicable project pricing for required technology upgrades. Key areas of review include:  

• Internet connectivity  

• Networking  

• Physical environment  

• Servers  

• Computers 

• Security  

• Office Productivity  

• Backups 

• Standards 

With a defined IT roadmap your business can focus on tangible IT improvements that positively impact both the business and bottom line. To learn more about our approach to IT planning, MSP or vCIO services, please reach out to us.