Starting a business is exciting. There’s momentum, ideas flying around, and a hundred decisions to make. IT often ends up somewhere near the bottom of the list—until something breaks.
At Berkana Group, we regularly speak to business owners who say:
“I wish we’d set this up properly from the start.”
This article covers the key IT considerations for new businesses, the pros and cons of doing it yourself, and where having a trusted IT partner can make a genuine difference.
Microsoft 365: The Backbone of Modern Business
Microsoft 365 is often treated as “just email”, but for a business, it’s the foundation for collaboration, security and growth.
What Microsoft 365 Can Do for Your Business
- Professional email with your own domain
- File storage and sharing via OneDrive and SharePoint
- Collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams
- Built‑in security and identity management
- The ability to scale users and features as your business grows
Setting It Up Yourself
Pros
- Low initial cost
- Quick to get started
- Plenty of online instructions
Setting It Up with Berkana Group
Pros
- Secure, best‑practice setup from day one
- Correct licensing—no guesswork
- Backup and security included
- Built to scale as your team grows
Our view: Microsoft 365 works best when it’s designed properly from the start, not patched together later.
Domain Names: A Small Detail With Big Consequences
Your domain name is one of your most valuable digital assets.
We regularly see domains:
- Registered to personal email addresses
- Forgotten until renewal time
- Holding fragile email and website configurations
DIY Domain Management
Pros
- Initial low cost and straightforward
- Full control (if documented properly)
Managed Through Berkana Group
Pros
- Transparent costs domain and website hosting
- Domain registered to the business
- DNS configured securely
- Website security
- Domain renewals tracked
- Integrated properly with Microsoft 365
IT Security: You’re a Target Earlier Than You Think
Cyber security is no longer a “big business” problem.
In reality, small businesses are more attractive targets because attackers expect weaker security.
Common Startup Risks
- Weak or reused passwords
- Shared user accounts
- No multi‑factor authentication
- No backups
- No monitoring
DIY Security
Pros
- Low cost
- Feels acceptable in the early days
Security with Berkana Group
Pros
- Multi‑factor authentication enforced
- Devices protected and monitored
- Microsoft 365 backed up properly
- Issues identified early, not after damage is done
Devices, Staff and Growth
As soon as you hire staff, IT complexity increases.
Without structure, businesses quickly end up with:
- Different device setups
- Inconsistent security
- No clear offboarding process
With managed IT, growth becomes predictable instead of stressful.
Backups: The Safety Net Most Businesses Don’t Have
Microsoft provides powerful tools—but backup responsibility still sits with the business.
Without independent backups:
- Accidental deletions can be permanent
- Ransomware recovery is difficult
- Compliance requirements can’t be met
Managed backups provide peace of mind and business continuity.
DIY IT vs Managed IT: The Reality
Area
DIY
Berkana Group
Initial setup
Quick
Planned
Ongoing Support
Self Managed
Proactive
Security
Basic
Business-Grade
Risk
Higher
Lower
Scalability
Reactive
Designed for growth
Final Thoughts
Getting IT right from the beginning isn’t about over‑engineering—it’s about removing risk, saving time, and allowing you to focus on growing your business.
DIY works for a short time. Structure works for the long term.
Starting a business or planning to grow one?
Berkana Group helps businesses:
- Set up Microsoft 365 properly
- Help manage the complexity of Microsoft Licencing
- Secure domains and email
- Protect data and devices
- Scale with confidence
👉 Book a no‑obligation conversation and make sure your IT is helping your business—not holding it back.
