3 Ways to Build a More Effective IT Budget

Ah, the IT budget. So crucial, yet so stressful at the same time. It doesn’t have to be! You too can get your IT budget under control, and all it takes is keeping the following in mind. We’ll look into why you should have an IT roadmap, how your business can minimize downtime, and how you can strategically outsource your IT to ensure your budget remains in control at all times.

An IT Roadmap: How the Rubber Hits the Road

The last thing you want when it comes to your IT budget is to take new solution implementation day by day.

An IT roadmap gives your business the power of preparation, budgeting out major IT expenses over time so you are always ready for them. This allows your business to prepare for new solutions well in advance. You won’t be caught unprepared when a server unit fails or when a critical operating system reaches its end of life. You’ll be ready, and that’s the power of an IT roadmap.

We recommend that you build out your IT roadmap for the next five years; and it doesn’t hurt to build hardware and software refreshes into the mix so your business is ready for these inevitable investments when they do come.

Downtime: A Known Budget Killer

Downtime also has the potential to cause some serious damage to your budget.

Downtime is defined as any instance when your business doesn’t operate the way it’s supposed to, whether it’s due to a technology failure, a software license that fails to renew on time, or an inconsistent Internet connection. Your business needs to be ruthless in rooting out the causes of downtime and taking calculated steps to mitigate it when possible.

One major opportunity to limit downtime is to implement a data backup and disaster recovery solution—one that prepares for situations when hardware fails to operate the way it’s supposed to—but, you should also look into issues that keep your employees from being as productive as they can be. Take time to ask them questions and get feedback, as it could mean adding new solutions that address their biggest concerns.

Outsourcing: The Ultimate IT Budgeting Hack

You might be wondering, “How does hiring someone else to do the work help my budget?”

Well, it does a lot—specifically because you aren’t the one doing the work, which frees you up to handle other revenue-generating tasks. Furthermore, you can know that your IT is being handled by a professional rather than someone simply appointed to the role who has other duties and responsibilities within your business. You aren’t adding new salaries to your budget or putting more work on someone’s plate; you’re paying a flat rate for accessible and reliable IT help that fits neatly into your budget as an operational expense.

Ready to get started with outsourcing some of those IT services? We know the most reliable technology professionals around, and that’s Atech MSP. Not only can we help you build out the ideal IT budget, but we can play an important role in ensuring your business adheres to it. Learn more by calling us today at (888) 814-4843.