While we can’t speak for every single business out there, we can say this for sure: you probably want to save money. Cutting costs is one of the joys of business. If you can do it, you should.

We’ve been in the business of helping organizations grow and succeed through technology since 1992. Since then, we’ve gained valuable insights into how companies can save money with a few strategic tweaks to their IT strategy.

Here’s a shortlist of what you can do now to save money on your IT.

1. Create a better IT budget

Better planning starts with – you guessed it – a better plan. IT budgets spell out exactly where all the IT funding goes. The ideal plan serves as a centralized guide for your expenses and provides a clear link between your technology and business goals.

In other words, it’s not always about the what. It’s about the why.

IT budgets keep you on-track and on-budget with all things technology. If you’ve already got an IT budget, be sure to review it often for unnecessary spending. If you don’t have one yet, put one together as soon as possible. 

Did You Know: 42% of small businesses plan to increase IT spending in 2017.

2. Get the right hardware

You don’t always need the fanciest, most expensive hardware out on the market. You need to find the hardware that meets your current business needs while also keeping your future needs in mind.

In short, the right hardware should empower you to reach your goals without needing to be frequently replaced. With fewer problems, there’s less time and money spent on trying to remedy any issues.

The right hardware also removes bottlenecks from your workflow. Ideally, it should easily move at the speed of your business (and be able to handle more, if necessary).

3. Consolidate your technology

It’s a fact – adding unnecessary IT complexity to your organization slows your operations down. When your employees don’t know how to use the technology that’s supposed to improve their lives, it’s become a hindrance.

The answer here is to consolidate your technology. Choose hardware and software that can effectively put multiple functions in one unit. Take productivity applications as an example.

Microsoft Teams can act as a simple chat program between people. However, it also supports file sharing, video conferencing, and virtual meetings organization. One single program does the role of four, with a significantly smaller price tag. 

But it’s not always about the upfront cost savings. Consolidation saves your organization money by significantly reducing operational complexity and boosting your overall output.

Did You Know: Employees who believe their workplace effectively uses mobile tech are more creative, satisfied, and productive at work.

4. Outsource your IT

Optimizing your IT is undoubtedly doable in the early stages of your company’s life. However, as you start to grow and focus on other aspects of your business, it can quickly become overwhelming.

You might have the intention of creating a perfect IT budget, implementing the right hardware, and consolidating your technology – but you might not have the time or resources.

That’s where IT outsourcing comes in. You can save money by allowing an experienced third-party IT service provider to optimize and handle your IT infrastructure for you, all for a flat monthly fee that fits your budget.