Helping Organizations Prepare Their Data, Security, and Infrastructure for AI
High Touch Technologies was recently featured in the MES Computing article, “AI Needs Data: 8 Business Application Vendors Helping Midmarket Organizations Prepare For AI.”
The article highlights eight technology providers helping midsized organizations prepare the business applications and data that AI depends on. MES Computing featured High Touch under the heading “Software Plus Expertise,” highlighting the role that experienced implementation and ongoing support play in keeping critical business systems working effectively.
MES Computing Highlights High Touch’s Expertise
MES Computing’s article explains, “While AI dominates technology headlines, most business processes still run through systems that predate the AI boom. Customer data lives in CRM platforms. Financial and operational information resides in cloud ERP systems.” Other valuable information may be spread across cloud applications, databases, and shared files.
For AI to produce useful results, organizations need reliable data and carefully managed access to the systems where that information resides.
MES Computing recognized High Touch for combining business software capabilities with the expertise needed to deploy and maintain critical systems. That distinction reflects the practical work involved in AI readiness. Organizations need to understand their current technology environment before connecting AI to their applications and data.
“When you connect an AI tool to your business systems, it inherits whatever access already exists in that environment,” states Andrew Kon, Director of Professional Services at High Touch Technologies. “Before you deploy it, you need to know where your sensitive data actually lives and who can already get to it. If your permissions are locked down and your infrastructure is properly maintained, AI has a safer foundation to work from.
Why Does AI Readiness Matter?
AI readiness refers to an organization’s ability to use artificial intelligence effectively while maintaining control over the systems, data, and user permissions that support it.
AI can analyze data quickly, but speed can’t correct your underlying technology problems. For example, imagine asking an AI assistant to forecast a manufacturer’s inventory needs. The ERP system contains current product data, but several departmental spreadsheets use old item numbers and conflicting quantities. The AI may complete the analysis in seconds, yet the forecast could still be wrong. The same concern applies to professional service firms summarizing client documents, health care providers exploring scheduling tools, and nonprofits evaluating donor information.
The quality and security of the outcome depend on what data the AI can access.
What Should Businesses Review Before Using AI?
An AI-readiness review should begin with a specific business use case. Leadership should define the problem it wants to solve and identify which applications or files contain the necessary information.
From there, business leaders should ask:
These questions can uncover issues that require attention before an AI rollout begins. The review may reveal outdated applications, inconsistent records, poorly configured permissions, or software integrations that no longer work as intended.
How Can High Touch Help With AI Readiness?
Many small and midsize organizations are interested in AI, but they lack the time or specialized resources to evaluate every tool and its dependencies internally.
High Touch Technologies’ IT Consulting team can help organizations review potential AI use cases and understand the technology behind them. This process may include assessing existing applications, mapping data sources, reviewing permissions, and identifying cybersecurity concerns.
The findings inform how to build a phased technology roadmap based on the organization’s priorities and budget. Depending on the environment, recommended next steps may include infrastructure improvements, cybersecurity remediation, software integration, or ongoing support through Managed IT or Co-Managed IT services.
Businesses should also establish clear expectations for employees. An AI Acceptable Use Policy can define approved tools, explain which information must remain protected, and require human review of AI-generated work.
MES Computing’s coverage recognizes an important part of High Touch’s role in AI readiness: helping organizations prepare the technology and data that AI needs to work effectively. If your organization is considering AI or looking to build a more mature AI strategy, contact High Touch Technologies to discuss an AI readiness review. Our team can help you identify practical use cases, uncover gaps in your current environment, and plan your next steps.