In the past decade, IT expenses have become a necessary part of an organization’s budget. It’s nearly impossible to run a business without IT spending. Additionally, virtual environments are encouraged in today’s business climate, with the majority of companies going paperless. Ensuring you have a reliable IT network is critical, but can also be costly.
While making changes can be a tedious undertaking, it will ultimately help your budget. A managed service provider (MSP) can provide expert insight, and fully assess and identify where you can save money. Here are a few ways you may be able to find savings in your IT budget.
Shift to the Cloud
If you’re not already using cloud-based services then you should consider migrating as a way to simplify your IT infrastructure and reduce costs in setup, expansion, labor, etc. Moving in-house servers to the cloud means less money on equipment (which can get expensive fast especially if your company is fast-tracking its growth). Depending on what type of cloud you move to (private, public, hybrid), you’ll likely only pay the monthly operating fees. Read our recent blog on which type of cloud storage is best.
Maximize Hardware Utilization and Use Cheaper Options
Maybe you’re not ready to move to the cloud or want to keep your current servers for your private cloud storage. In that case,according to CIO, consolidating your servers to “allow multiple applications to share the hardware” will lower the expense in this area. On the same note, there are cheaper hardware devices out there that maintain the performance you need while staying under budget.
Shift internal staff to outside MSPs
If you’re looking to fill an IT position at your company, then consider shifting to a managed service provider instead. Outsourcing to an MSP will be cheaper in the long run whereas employees will cost a yearly salary plus benefits, PTO, etc. An MSP can provide a team of specialized experts who will be flexible with your needs.
An MSP can manage your network, cloud storage, licenses and more for a fixed cost. You can also consider bringing them on for projects to support your current internal staff versus hiring more people for big moves or initiatives.
Update or Change Software
Lastly, you can take a look at your current software licenses to determine where there is waste. It’s possible that there are cheaper software options available.
If you want to cut costs and secure your current network, then reach out to us at Valeo Networks. We can schedule a free consultation to review where there is room for changes or cost savings in your current IT environment.