If you are a business owner or an IT manager, you will be only too familiar with the difficulties that come with maintaining systems, keeping everything up and running whilst also remaining within budget. It can be difficult, especially since many IT expenditures appear to be fixed. Fortunately, there are several methods to save money on IT support without jeopardizing your business, or your team’s effectiveness.
Think about what you need
Most people don’t often stop to consider their needs versus their ‘wants’ which is amazing really considering how important needs are when compared to ‘wants’, especially in business. Have you gone through that process with your IT support department regarding what it requires? It is always nice to have the latest software and top-of-the-line technology, but their capabilities come at a cost. Before you do anything else, it is a good idea to sit down and identify your needs.
For example, if your system just requires a basic Internet connection, you should resist investing in sophisticated technology and things like aftermarket routers that would soon see your department’s budget slipping away. Take a step back, establish a list Marketing calendar software of your and your team’s requirements, and make sure you’re only purchasing what you need.
Use less expensive hardware
Aside from utilizing shared server space or partitioning your existing server space, another option to optimize your hardware is to run programs on less expensive devices. There are methods for connecting high-end PCs together that are as effective as mid-range servers. It’s a bit of a double-edged sword though, because, generally speaking, when buying tech, you should look to buy the most for your money in order to future proof although, there is a balance between being sensible and going OTT.
Use cloud-based services
You should be on the cloud if you aren’t already. Long-term operating costs can be reduced by simply removing the need for on-site equipment and maintenance support. Furthermore, cloud solutions are scalable, which means they can be scaled up and down to match the growth of your business. Cloud computing could help your business in many ways from accessible storage all the way through to added security.
Set up regular training for your staff for the common issues
Most people don’t know it all when it comes to tech, computers and operating systems and why they should be, however, next time you have the chance, ask your IT team what their most common call out is for. You can bet yourself that the top issues will be user related rather than system error related.
If you consider how much time and money those calls are in terms of downtime and wasted resources, it would probably add up to quite a large sum of money. Why not set up regular training sessions so that everyone is on the same page.
Streamline your services and systems
It is possible to save money and resources by consolidating any systems that could run side by side or within the same team, you might even find that you are paying two external separate companies for services that could be delivered by one. Look to see how many platforms you can move into one slicker system and you should see some money saved.
