These days, it's not just tech companies struggling with IT costs. From small startup companies to massive corporations, organizations of all sizes are looking for ways to keep IT costs down. Of course, IT systems are a crucial part of modern business, so going for the cheapest possible options can often backfire.
So, how can you reduce costs without compromising on core functionality and usability? This article describes three tried-and-tested methods to successfully reduce your IT costs.
One of the biggest advantages of modern IT-managed services is the possibility of central management. If you have multiple commercial locations, a single IT team could act as a central hub. It's possible to fix the majority of IT problems without physical access to workstations or servers; in fact, on-site teams will still fix most problems remotely for the sake of convenience.
Streamlining your operations with a remote team can save you money because you only need a single IT team. A remote team means you can hire fewer staff without the need to maintain on-site offices. Of course, there can be some issues where a technician requires physical access to devices, but these issues are increasingly rare.
Having an in-house IT team isn't cheap. You'll need to post job listings, interview candidates, and hire them. Plus, you'll face high costs for IT hardware and software. IT costs can be unpredictable; new malware could send your IT budget soaring.
With managed IT services, costs are steadier. They cover their own operations and charge clients a flat fee.
This approach reduces your IT costs, and thanks to economies of scale, you get access to top-notch technology your company could never afford if you relied on an internal team.
As a responsible business owner, pay close attention to your IT security strategy. Cybercriminals like easy targets, and that's why they favor smaller companies with internal IT teams.
While they prefer easy marks, they aren't lazy. As new exploits and vulnerabilities emerge, they act fast and strike before firms upgrade their defenses. Smaller companies with internal IT teams tend to be more exposed since they can't respond as quickly.
In practice, this means internal IT teams may make you more likely to face a cyberattack. If criminals infect your systems with ransomware, the costs could be astronomical. Working with a managed IT services team protects you against the latest threats and helps avoid costly recovery bills.
If you're a small to medium-sized company, it usually makes sense to work with a managed IT services company instead of an internal team. Managing IT costs effectively, while ensuring a robust and reliable IT infrastructure, is a fine balance.
The strategies outlined here - streamlining and centralizing operations, moving toward predictable costs with managed IT services, and enhancing security measures - offer a practical blueprint for achieving this balance.
Are you looking for a way to reduce IT costs without compromising on quality? EnvisionIT Solutions has been helping companies like yours since 2007. Contact us today to learn about our IT services.