When it comes to running a business, one of the biggest challenges is always the expense of having good and reliable technology. From having high-speed internet to durable gadgets, not to mention digital marketing and excellent communications—having up-to-the-minute technology will always cost more. And at a time when small to mid-sized businesses need to do all that they can to survive, cutting costs where we can always be advantageous. Here are some strategies your business can employ to reduce tech costs.
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Invest in excellent cloud-computing services
For the uninitiated, the idea of even trying to understand the many tech tools that a business needs can be confusing, to say the last. There’s a need for data storage, software, bandwidth, cloud—all these words jumble together for those who are tech-challenged. If you don’t have a dedicated IT team, all these technological jargon and concepts may fly over your head and overwhelm not just you but the other people in your team who don’t have technology as their expertise.
Thankfully, there are plenty of third-party agencies offering these comprehensive, all-in-one cloud-computing services to businesses. You need to find the one that suits your needs and meets all your requirements. Cloud computing, which allows you and your employees to access valuable data and programs anywhere, as long as you have a working internet connection
Here are some services you need to take note off:
- Storage, which means that your business’s most important files and documents can be synced and shared across multiple devices
- Backup, which is your ultimate fail-safe solution in case your business undergoes a cyberattack, server crash, or other types of data loss
- Software solutions, which makes use of the web to provide a valuable service, like Google Apps, Office 365, Salesforce, and QuickBooks Online
- Cloud hosting, which is all about connecting the members of your team, where you and your team can have official email services, web-based phone systems, and app hosting
Repair, but don’t replace
Don’t be too quick to toss out a gadget that’s no longer working, especially if it’s an Apple product. Apple products are usually more durable than you know, and there’s a lot that device experts can do to have your business Macbook or phone repaired. Especially if the damage involves broken screens and water damage—even if you feel it is no longer repairable, experts can help you find something to do with it. Some repair stores also facilitate trading in, so don’t throw in the towel just yet.
Check your current subscriptions
When was the last time you reviewed your subscription services to check if any of them are being utilized at all? Even if you think they don’t take up much of your operational costs, their costs can compound when you have multiple of them, especially if you pay for them every month. This is also true for yearly subscriptions. Take the time to sit down and inspect your current subscriptions to ensure that every single service you’re paying for is being utilized and really necessary for your company. You’d be surprised to find out that cutting back on subscription services will help you cut so many monthly and yearly expenses.
Streamline the platforms and services your business is using
What are the platforms you’re using? Are there too many of them, and is it possible there are some redundancies? Taking a second look at your current platforms might help you consolidate and streamline your processes and, thus, cut your costs significantly. Here are some benefits of streamlining your platforms:
- You combine multiple applications or platforms into a single cohesive IT environment
- You remove the complexity of handling multiple platforms and applications
- There is a quicker time-to-market on new services and products
- You gain more agility as a business
- There are higher levels of protection and security
- There are more opportunities for you and your team to innovate
- Your team will be more productive, engaged, and satisfied with their work
Homogenize your tech infrastructure
This means standardizing your company’s tech. This can mean giving all your team members the same types of phones and laptops, and it can =mean making sure that the entire company uses the same software applications. Standardizing your business’s tech infrastructure can help eliminate complexity and provide a single manual and standard for your employees across the board.
Reducing your tech costs does not automatically entail having less reliable technology. Find the best deals for you and trust reliable professionals, and you can be sure to spend less on these necessary tech services.