One of the established ways of running a business efficiently and effectively is to use proven methods and procedures. Even in the field of IT business, approaching the service is done following the same standard norms that have been established to help in conducting the business with competence. These standardized service operations are called the ‘best practices of the industry’.One such best practices provided for well-run IT departments and companies in the Information Technology Infrastructure Library or (ITIL®).
In this article, we will provide a brief description of what is ITIL® and 5 reasons why IT businesses follow the ITIL® framework.
What Is ITIL®?
ITIL® is a framework used by IT professionals to evaluate and solve issues from the vast quantity of data it has stored for decades. The framework further helps the professionals to develop plans that would enable better service design and improve customer satisfaction.
5 Reasons Why IT Businesses Follow ITIL® Framework
ITIL® best practices offer quite a few benefits to the IT professionals. The top five of them are the following,
Reducing the Risk
With ITIL® framework IT professionals can ensure reducing the risk in their service. Since ITIL® the framework is an established and proven method, professionals face fewer problems when using it for their IT business. Being the widely accepted approach, ITIL® helps in mitigating and managing risks, thereby supporting a business to innovate and grow.
Less Interruption for Businesses
In business, when the IT is stable, it translates into less interruption for the team and the company. In case there are any issues or hurdles faced by the IT team, the professionals that follow the ITIL® framework they will know of the procedures and the process they need to adhere to resolve the issue. ITIL® framework allows the professionals to plan, maintain transparency and accountability since it incorporates a proactive approach. Businesses that use ITIL® framework for their IT enable them to dedicate more time to their business than spend time-solving IT problems. This allows the company to grow more.
Cost-efficient Process Over the Long Term
It is common knowledge that a specialist trained in his/her job, who follows the industry best practice will be expensive compared to a generalist. For example, if your refrigerator broke down, a local mechanic can repair it, but there is no guarantee of how long the fix will last. On the other hand, if you give it to the company service center or someone who is a specialist, coming from the company, they will charge you more but give you a guarantee on fixing the issue. The reason is a certified person follows the industry established best practice solution. It is the same for the IT business. For any business that involves IT solutions, a professional who will use the ITIL® framework to resolve an issue can guarantee the repair, and eventually save more money for your company in the long run.
Hiring and Transition IT staff
If you are looking for people who use the IT industry standard best practice, it is best to hire professionals who are ITIL® certified.Such professionals will know the ITIL® framework, and you, as an employer, can focus on issues like how to improve your business. An IT staff who knows the ITIL® framework has a better capacity to scale when required. Also, it will allow you to hire other IT professional in case your IT staff leaves, because you will look for ITIL® certified professionals for the IT management of your business.
Improve the Company Growth
For start-up companies hiring people without ITIL® training can serve the purpose. However, for companies that intend to grow in the market after a few years of business needs IT management that has a well-trained professional with a solid plan. ITIL® trained professionals can help a company to grow because of the operational maturity that ITIL® framework offers. A company can work towards improving their service, growth and create new opportunities for their business. It also opens up a platform for collaboration with other companies that use the ITIL® framework.
An in-house IT staff can save money initially but a professional certified in ITIL® framework gets your work done within budget and saves time, thus ensuring you get the best IT service for your business in the long run.