It’s time to talk about everyone’s favorite subject: Money. Or in this case, money for IT services.
We love it. Occasionally, we hate it. Some of the time, we even love to hate it. But money is an integral part of life, and when it comes to your business, every penny counts. The problem? It’s hard to fully understand how to budget. For something as important as your IT services budget, it’s critical to plan.
IT Budgeting 101
Hardware will make up 31% of IT budgets, software will make up 26%, cloud services will make up 21%, and managed IT services will make up 15% in 2018. – Spiceworks, October 2017 via TechRepublic
It’s easy to think of your IT department and sum it up as technology, but there is more to be considered when it comes to creating an IT budget. Here are some of the expenses you will need to consider when planning your IT budget.
Managed IT Services
Proactive and preventative support for your IT infrastructure is a key feature for a consistently secure network and Managed IT Services provides that. With 24/7 monitoring both remote and onsite as well as patch, hardware and software management, a Managed Service Provider (MSP) can prove to be a worthwhile investment to factor into your IT budget.
Software
A software component of your budget could be anything from software subscriptions and licenses to support and maintenance contracts, depending on who is handling your IT services.
Cloud Services
Data security is one of the top priorities at any business, and reliable cloud services are a part of keeping your company and client information as secure as possible. While your IT budget will still require some hardware, moving to cloud-based services gives you the ability to reduce capital expenditures and creates a more efficient workflow.
Hardware
Are you leasing out the technology hardware that you use at your business? You will need to research and cost compare vendors from whom to lease computers and servers. Would you rather buy your own equipment? You will have to assess the needs of all IT team members and factor in your liability. This could include repairing or replacing equipment at your own expense.
Staffing
Scalability is important for any business, which means that you have to prepare for the growth of your IT needs as your company grows. Also, any IT staff members you have need to be considered in your IT budget.
What’s the Bottom Line?
The most significant thing to remember about budgeting for IT services is that nothing is set in stone. As technology offerings fluctuate so will costs. Planning this budget will take some time and consideration, and it may seem tedious. But ask yourself what’s better– waiting to see what costs are, or being prepared? The good news is that you don’t have to worry about getting your IT needs settled all on your own.
EMPIST doesn’t believe in a one-size-fits-all solution, so we work with your business to strategize and create an IT services plan and structure that works for you and your budget. As a full Managed Services provider offering cloud and other IT services you need, we are committed to the success of your business and work with you to see that success all the way through.
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