Top Four Ways to Cut Costs in Your IT Department

Featured article by Boris Dzhingarov, Independent Technology Author

Cutting costs in your business can feel like a full-time job. Any business owner knows and understands that even the smallest cuts can add up over time, which means it’s worth examining and finding those routes. One area companies are paying more attention to as of late is the IT department. This particular department actually offers a number of potential areas for cost-savings, making it well worth looking into.

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Take a Look at Staffing

One of the first places to start is with the staff you have in your IT department. Experts estimate that about 37% of the IT budget is actually spent on staffing (wages). What this means is that even small cuts in this area will result in big savings. This can be done through wage freezes, eliminating bonuses, a freeze on hiring, and decreasing the number of contractors you have working for you.

Consider Outsourcing Your IT Department

If you’re looking to make a big move then it may be time to do away with your onsite IT department and consider outsourcing instead. Outsourcing can save money since you no longer need the extra space to house those employees, you’ll have access to top-of-the line technology, the services of IT experts who get things done right the first time, and depending on the company you choose, you may only need to pay on an “as needed” basis.

ITeam is a busy company offering IT services in Calgary and the surrounding areas. It’s a great example of how you can use outsourcing to your advantage. ITeam is able to provide managed IT support and services in a virtual manner, completely transforming how you think of the IT department.

Look Into Replacing Hardware and Software

Obviously this may seem like an added cost when you first think about it, but in the long-run it can save the company a lot of money. Any hardware that is more than five years old is likely costing a lot to power and is usually quite slow. Not only that, it may have downtime thanks to it not working properly. Faster, more energy efficient computers can help to save a lot of money. The same can be said for your outdated software that is probably causing more hassle than it’s worth.

Allow for Remote Employees

The days of working 9-5 Monday through Friday in the office are done. It’s time to embrace today’s landscape and allow for remote employees. There is a significant cost benefit in allowing employees to work from home. You don’t need that desk space, parking space, or computer terminal for them. On the flip side, employees value the flexibility they have been given and tend to put in more hours overall.

Always Ways to Cut Costs

The IT department offers all kinds of ways to cut costs. Sometimes only one or two changes are needed to make a difference, and then in other cases you’ll probably need to take additional measures.

Boris Dzhingarov graduated University of National and World Economy with major marketing. He writes for several sites online such as Semrush, Tweakyourbiz and Socialnomics.net. Boris is the founder of Tech Surprise and MonetaryLibrary