When it comes to IT spending, making huge cuts can turn into a disaster.
Scale back too much and the entire business can suffer greatly. Whether you’re looking for immediate results or major savings down the road, here are some proven long-term and short-term ways to cut tech costs.
- Web-based savings. Certain companies have realized tremendous savings by moving away from programs that are installed on their computers and opting for software that’s entirely Web based.
Example: A Wisconsin university switched from a combo of older systems managed by an entire team of full-time employees that handled e-mail and calendar accounts to an online software program. Result: The new system was not only cheaper, but only two workers are required to manage it. - Up-front investments for long-term savings. The initial price tag associated with upgrading older IT equipment leaves companies hanging on to older, less-efficient tech gear far longer than they should. But timely upgrades often pay for themselves in a short amount of time through greater efficiency and lower energy costs.
- Computer calling. If phone bills are a problem, you may want to look into Internet phone service. Companies such as Cisco Systems Inc. offers software where workers can use their PCs as phones — plugging headsets right into the PC and using the screen to dial.
Pros: Every call is considered a local call, which can translate to big savings on the phone bill.
Cons: Calls compete with e-mails, intranet, etc., for network space, which can affect the quality of the call at times.
