How To Minimize The Costs Behind Your IT Infrastructure Purchases

Do you know what you or your clients are spending on technology? Likely more than you think. Each year, organizations replace one out of every four computers that they own. And, they replace their servers and entire infrastructure behind it every five years. With peripherals like monitors, docking stations, and cables, the list can go on and on. See where I’m going here? It’s no surprise that when you are in the market for IT hardware, you want to find the lowest cost possible.  You talk to multiple vendors. You scour the web for the best price. You talk to your friends and co-workers in hopes of finding an industry insider that can provide the best deals. Everyone does this. But, do you ever notice any costs above and beyond your initial purchase?

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) seems like a buzzword today in the technology industry – but it’s an important one. According to Gartner research, 80% of your total IT costs occur after your initial purchase¹. The obvious costs are the accessories or replacement parts that come after the initial purchase, such as adapters or additional/replacement hard drives. However, the bulk of these costs come from other maintenance as well as time spent troubleshooting IT issues. Studies show that employees spend 30 minutes per week trying to fix PC problems or helping a co-worker do the same. The larger an organization, the more these expenses can grow at an exponential level – especially when a decision is made to purchase the wrong solution. So, how does one mitigate their IT spend? While costs are inevitable, here are some key points that consumers should consider to minimize their TCO:

• Buy smart. This is where it all starts. While the price is always important, it shouldn’t be the only factor in your purchasing decision(remember the 80% rule mentioned earlier). Researching on your own today is simple, but you should always consider the perspective of an outside sales consultant (or several) before you make your final decision.
• Have your network (and assets connected to it) managed. This means having your devices monitored, updated, and protected by a professional managed IT services company. The average cost of unmanaged PCs is $5,000 per year². Even before factoring in your time lost, this pays for itself. In addition, having an unmanaged device makes you a sitting duck for cybercriminals.
• In today’s world, technology from any major brand is generally equally reliable. So, the trend from many smart buyers today is to focus less on “best of breed” in every single technology category and more on streamlining purchases across a smaller list of manufacturers.
• Train your employees. Regular training enhances proper usage of your assets and minimizes the risk of cyber attacks such as ransomware.

Within All Covered, the IT Services Division of Konica Minolta, there are IT professionals available to make the best recommendations for any need. Their goal is to be your trusted partner – providing a true “concierge” service that allows you to obtain the right products quickly and efficiently. Additionally, All Covered can be there to help you manage and protect your assets – regardless of where you get them. Our ECM services can help store and secure your content. Working with a professional IT management organization, such as All Covered, can help ensure that you are focused on supporting the mission of your organization – not just IT.

^1-2Network Alliance

Link: https://networkalliance.com/understanding-technology-costs/