You have a growing list of new technology projects you need to complete this year.  Unfortunately, your budget hasn’t expanded to make room for all of them and there isn’t one item on your list that you can afford to cut. So, your challenge now is finding room in the budget.

As the role of IT is evolving from a support function to a key business success driver, IT budgets need to evolve as well.  You should be taking a critical eye to the legacy items in your budget and evaluating whether the same result can be achieved in new ways that cost less.

“One key area where budget earmarked for legacy work can be quickly reduced is in endpoint management.  The endpoint management process from acquisition to disposal is a routine, commoditized support service.”

Too many companies use their high value, time constrained IT teams for endpoint management.  Not only is this work uninspiring for your team it is expensive for your team to do it, a “lose-lose” for the organization.  In fact a 2016 IDC report* estimates that the IT staff cost for managing one endpoint is a whopping $950.

Attacking this area of your budget will provide tremendous benefit.  One way to lower the cost is to systemize endpoint management as much as possible. “By creating simple, efficient, documented processes you will incur less time, effort and cost and make room for higher priority items in your budget.”  Streamlining your internal processes will require staff training and new SLAs for internal stakeholders but this upfront investment will pay off. 

Another option is too look for a partner you can outsource to.  Working with a firm that can create the processes and documentation and deliver under the SLAs you require can be an easier and quicker solution to implement.  Firms that specialize in this work will typically have optimized the process, reducing costs and enhancing customer service.

As the role of IT is transforming it is important to align your budget management to it.  Don’t be stuck in the old ways of doing things.  Focus on the results you want and look for new, low cost methods to bring value to your team and organization.

Read our other posts in this series on outsourcing here.