Is IT The Number One Thing Your Staff Complain About?
Written by Alex Locatelli, Chief Technology Officer
Staff often have recurring complaints about various IT and technology aspects within an organisation. Having been in business for more than 20 years, we think we’ve probably heard the full spectrum of complaints when frazzled customers arrive on our doorstep.
Importantly, a recurring complaint can also be an opportunity for business improvement, which is where we step in. Recurring staff complaints can be a great source of inspiration when looking to make adjustments and improvements across a business, and implementing steps to resolve can have major flow on effects. On the flip side, we don't tend to notice when things are working well, only when there is friction.
While we can't guarantee people wont find something else to complain about (we are humans afterall), here is our list of most common complaints heard by employers who are desperate to quiet their teams and get back to business… (and who should probably invest in Managed IT Services).
Frequent Complaints & Why They Might Arise
- Slow performance >
- Inadequate support >
- Outdated Technology>
- Complex or inefficient systems >
- Frequent downtime >
- Poor connectivity >
- Security restrictions >
- Software bugs and errors >
- Inconsistent technology across departments >
- Lack of training >
- Limited mobility options >
- Inadequate collaboration tools >
Slow Performance:
It’s that exasperation when you’re just trying to get something done. Slow performance can arise from computer systems, applications, or network connections, which can hinder productivity and cause frustration.
Inadequate Support:
Lack of timely or effective IT support can be a major issue. Has your IT person vanished (again?). Delays, unresponsiveness, or unhelpful support is a major source of friction for staff.
Outdated Technology:
Using outdated hardware or software can lead to inefficiencies and compatibility issues. Employees often find older technology frustrating and may struggle with tools that are no longer effective or supported. Their exasperation is enhanced when a patch upgrade to resolve compatibility issues requires further downtime…
Complex or Inefficient Systems:
Complicated or non-intuitive software interfaces and systems can make tasks more difficult than necessary. Employees may find it challenging to navigate or use tools effectively if they are not user-friendly. Or worse, they can be mis-used, which creates more downstream manual work to correct it.
Frequent Downtime:
Unscheduled downtime or system outages disrupt work and can lead to lost productivity and deadlines. Employees often express frustration when systems are frequently unavailable or unreliable. Managing the frequency, training and communications around this are essential.
Poor Connectivity:
Issues with network connectivity, whether related to Wi-Fi, VPNs, or wired connections, can impede employees’ ability to work efficiently and access necessary resources. This issue is more prevalent with remote workforces requiring 24 hour access.
Security Restrictions:
Overly restrictive security measures, such as excessive password changes or limited access to necessary applications and data, can hinder employees’ ability to perform their jobs effectively. As cyber security specialists we have some strong feelings about security, so striking the right balance between education, security and agility are critical.
Software Bugs and Errors:
Frequent software crashes, bugs, or error messages can disrupt work and cause friction. Employees expect stable and reliable software for their daily tasks.
Inconsistent Technology Across Teams: Differences in technology or tools used by various teams can lead to inefficiencies and difficulties in collaboration. Staff may complain about not having access to the same resources or software as their colleagues, which duplicates some work and muddies the waters when reporting.
Lack of Training:
Insufficient training on new systems, software, or tools can lead to confusion and errors. Employees often feel unsupported when they are not adequately trained on the technology they are expected to use. Making time for training is also challenging, as the knowledge acquired during training is generally applied in an urgent situation…
Limited Mobility Options:
Inadequate support for remote work or mobile access can hinder employees who need flexibility or work from various locations. Issues with remote access tools or mobile device management can impact productivity and ultimately performance and attitudes.
Inadequate Collaboration Tools:
Poorly integrated or inefficient collaboration tools can make teamwork more challenging. Employees may struggle with disjointed communication and file-sharing systems.
What have we missed? If any of the above are recurring in your organisation, then it may be worth evaluating whether your IT requirements are being adequately met, and what outsourced Managed IT Solutions could do for your business.
