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Headline: Service Center NG Urges SMEs to Prioritise Preventive IT Maintenance and Strategic Technology Investment

Service Center NG has called on Nigerian businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, to take a more proactive approach to managing their technology infrastructure, warning that neglecting IT systems can lead to productivity losses, operational disruptions and unnecessary expenses.

Speaking during a business-focused radio interview, Mrs. Chioma Ayorinde, a representative of Service Center NG, explained that technology has become central to the operations of virtually every modern business. She noted that when computers, networks, internet connections and other IT infrastructure fail, the impact can go beyond technical inconvenience and affect productivity, customer service and revenue.

Mrs. Ayorinde identified poor connectivity, slow computers, network failures and software-related issues among the common technology problems businesses encounter. According to her, many of these challenges can be detected and addressed before they become major failures through regular inspections and preventive maintenance.

She gave the example of a computer that takes several minutes to open a simple file, saying such a delay could be an early indication of an underlying problem, such as a storage drive becoming full or other system limitations. Rather than waiting until the computer completely fails, she advised businesses to investigate such warning signs and address them early.

Mrs. Ayorinde also encouraged businesses to consider regular IT support when technology-related problems begin occurring frequently and affecting employees’ productivity. She explained that when staff members spend significant amounts of time every day struggling with Wi-Fi connectivity, slow systems or malfunctioning computers, the business is already incurring the cost of IT problems, even if that cost has not been formally calculated.

For small and medium-sized businesses that may not have the financial capacity to maintain a full-time IT department, Mrs. Ayorinde recommended outsourcing IT support to a reliable service provider. She said SMEs can access technical assistance and scheduled maintenance on a monthly, quarterly or other agreed basis, allowing them to receive professional support without bearing the full cost of an in-house IT team.

She further advised businesses to begin technology purchases with their actual operational needs rather than focusing on products or expensive specifications. According to her, a business could spend about one million naira on a computer when a system costing significantly less might adequately meet its core requirements.

Mrs. Ayorinde said proper IT advice can help business owners identify technology that is fit for purpose, avoid unnecessary expenditure and ensure that their investments can support business growth.

The Service Center NG representative also highlighted equipment rental as another option for businesses and organisations that require technology for short-term projects. She explained that renting can be particularly useful for conferences, training programmes and temporary operations where purchasing large quantities of equipment may tie up capital unnecessarily.

Using the example of an organisation organising a three-day training programme for 50 people, Mrs. Ayorinde said the organisation could rent 50 laptops for the duration of the programme instead of purchasing equipment that may have limited use after the event.

She noted that network reliability is another critical area businesses should pay attention to, as connectivity problems can affect several aspects of daily operations. Mrs. Ayorinde explained that in environments such as clinics, for example, difficulties connecting to systems could delay access to patient information and ultimately affect the customer experience.

According to her, even a few hours of downtime can have financial consequences for a business, making reliable network infrastructure and regular maintenance important considerations for organisations that depend heavily on technology.

Beyond repairing computers and other equipment, Mrs. Ayorinde said businesses need IT partners who can advise them on their broader technology requirements as they grow. She stressed that technology should be used to solve business problems rather than create new ones.

She explained that Service Center NG takes a client-focused approach by providing practical solutions based on the specific needs of each organisation rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model. If a client proposes a technology solution that may not be suitable for the business, she said the company can assess the situation and recommend an alternative that better fits the organisation’s actual needs.

Mrs. Ayorinde also disclosed that Service Center NG is backed by the technical expertise of OXAM Solutions, its sister company. She said the relationship provides Service Center NG with additional technical depth and access to experienced professionals, particularly when handling complex requirements involving networking, infrastructure and servers.

She said this technical backing allows the company to approach complex projects with the necessary expertise rather than relying on trial and error.

On business expansion, Mrs. Ayorinde advised entrepreneurs to plan their IT infrastructure alongside their business growth. She explained that when a company expands from one location to several branches without properly planning its network, user access, data storage and communication systems, the expansion process can become difficult to manage.

She noted that well-planned IT infrastructure can allow businesses to expand while reducing the technology-related challenges that could otherwise hinder operations.

Mrs. Ayorinde also urged Nigerian businesses to change the way they perceive technology spending, arguing that IT should not simply be viewed as an expense. She described technology as an investment in productivity, business continuity and efficiency, while cautioning businesses against confusing smart investment with simply purchasing expensive equipment.

She advised business owners to invest according to their actual requirements and ensure that technology purchases are aligned with their operational goals.

For businesses that already suspect their IT systems need attention but are unsure where to begin, Mrs. Ayorinde recommended starting with a comprehensive IT assessment.

She explained that businesses should first assess the systems and equipment they already have, identify gaps and then prioritise what needs to be repaired, upgraded or replaced. She likened the approach to taking a vehicle to a mechanic for diagnosis when it develops an unusual problem, rather than immediately replacing parts without determining the cause.

Mrs. Ayorinde encouraged entrepreneurs who are starting businesses and may not have a strong understanding of IT to seek professional guidance from the beginning. She said getting the right advice early can help business owners make appropriate technology decisions and avoid unnecessary costs as their businesses develop.

Service Center NG provides IT-related support and solutions to businesses, schools, NGOs, professional offices and other organisations, with services tailored to the specific requirements of each client.

The company can be reached at its location at One Femi Awolowo Way, Allow Shopping Mall, Block B, Shop 17, Ogba, Lagos. Customers can also contact the company via 0806 036 2695 or 0806 460 0073.

For online enquiries, the company provided info@servicecenter.com.ng and indicated that prospective clients can also search for Service Center NG online to access its verified contact information and services.This version is structured for a long-form radio business feature, with Mrs. Chioma Ayorinde’s key explanations integrated naturally into the story rather than presented as a transcript.

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