Tips to keep IT costs down

IT costs can be a resource-draining component of many modern businesses. Computers, servers, software, and other equipment can tend to be expensive to acquire, learn, and maintain. So it is unsurprising that many small businesses in Washington, DC and Charlotte are finding ways to cut IT costs.

“Fortunately, IT expense management isn’t really a big mystery — it’s just a matter of maximizing opportunities at hand to improve cost efficiency”

Fortunately, IT expense management isn’t really a big mystery — it’s just a matter of maximizing opportunities at hand to improve cost efficiency. IT solutions nowadays are cheaper and more reliable than ever. All you need to know is where to find them. So if you’re seeking ways to keep your IT costs down, the following tips are an excellent place to start.

Use the cloud

Migrating to the cloud cuts costs in more ways than one. It eliminates the need for local server management and upkeep, reducing risk of loss by providing on- and off-site data backups, and it reduces the strain on your existing hardware, so you don’t have to keep buying new computers.

Cloud-based solutions like Microsoft 365 can also be used should you enforce work from home arrangements for your staff. It’s a great way to maintain a high level of productivity even if your office infrastructure is shut down or is running below capacity.

Related article: How the cloud helps businesses survive COVID-19

Maintain your hardware and software

Hardware and software updates are critical to maintaining an efficient and cost-effective IT infrastructure. Failing to keep your equipment up to date opens up your system to risks such as cyberthreats, equipment failures, and invisible costs. Furthermore, obsolete hardware is more prone to breakdowns, expensive to run, and has difficult-to-find parts.

This doesn’t mean you should keep buying new PCs for your business. A well-maintained computer won’t need frequent upgrades, and may even last you beyond its standard life span. For example, you can improve processing power by adding another memory stick to augment your PC's existing one. At the same time, updates should regularly be patched to ensure your computers can be used for years to come.

Protect your data

Protecting business data isn’t as simple as putting up a firewall and regularly updating your antivirus anymore. For many enterprises, information security is a full-time role. Data is increasingly becoming a major currency in the world of business, so it is important to protect it. Furthermore, leaving business information vulnerable to threats may not only result in data loss but also in compliance violations and more.

So if you’re seeking effective savings by way of your IT department, then don’t overlook your cybersecurity needs. Deploy a security solution that a) prevents threats from coming in, b) has several layers of intervention for threats that do find their way into your network, and c) has a data backup and recovery system in place. This way, you can prevent data loss and the subsequent costs they bring.

Related article: How to prevent healthcare data breaches

Partner with an MSP

Partnering with a reputable managed services provider (MSP) is one of the quickest ways to manage your IT costs. Take us at outsourceIT, for instance. We provide all the services listed above through a simple and cost-friendly subscription-style package. This way, you can streamline your IT spending in one fell swoop.

At outsourceIT, we’ll take the time to get to know your business and industry, so that we can identify IT needs that you may have overlooked. Once we have a good understanding of your business’s issues and processes, we’ll devise a bespoke strategy specifically aimed at addressing your company’s needs.

You’ll be in good hands if you partner with outsourceIT. We have a solid track record spanning a decade and a half. We proudly support nearly 9,000 devices and users, with a customer renewal rate of 96% while averaging 59% in terms of tickets resolved at first contact. So you can be assured that in terms of quality, consistency, and reliability, you are working with the best.

Do not leave your IT to chance. Partner with La Plata’s and Winston-Salem’s finest tech and IT solutions company: outsourceIT. Drop us a line today to schedule your assessment.