Ten tips for trimming IT budgets
Debra Littlejohn Shinder
Published: 29 Feb 2008 15:40 GMT
…centralised, reducing administrative costs. Programs can be deployed and updated more quickly, and less network bandwidth is used to access remote applications.
There are many approaches to thin-client computing, including new "zero client" technology, such as that offered by Pano Logic.
6. Consider selective deployment of open-source software
Open-source software is often available free of charge but may also come without warranties, formal training programs or technical support; updates may or may not occur. Some organisations have deployed open-source operating systems and applications only to return to commercial software due to such problems.
Another disadvantage of some open-source products for business use is the lack of integration/interoperability with commercial software that may be in use by other departments, partners, customers and so forth. Traditionally, open-source programs have tended to require more technical expertise on the part of the users, although some open-source software has become more user-friendly.
With that said, open-source software may have a place in your organisation if deployed carefully and selectively. Linux/Unix-based server software may be appropriate for certain dedicated servers if you have IT personnel who have knowledge and expertise in the operating system. Open-source operating systems on the desktop may work well for more technically savvy users. Open-source applications such as OpenOffice that offer compatibility with the file formats of commercial applications might be the right choice for some users, especially those who only need to create documents occasionally and don't need the advanced features of commercial programs such as Word.
A careful assessment of where open-source software can and cannot be deployed in your organisation without undue disruption and a steep learning curve can help you integrate it into your network in a way that saves money.
7. Have fewer, more efficient meetings
Meetings eat up a lot of time that could be better spent on more productive work. This is true across all organisations and the IT department is usually no exception. You can cut down on wasted time by careful planning, having a set agenda and staying on-topic, and requiring only those who really need to be there to attend.
In many cases, meetings can be held much more efficiently by using email or a telephone conference. Meetings at remote locations cost even more in travel time and expenses. If face-to-face communication is essential, you can use videoconferencing to save both time and money.
8. Look at new training options
Training is often one of the first items to suffer when budgets have to be cut, but arbitrarily slashing all training spending can end up costing the company more in the long run. It's necessary for IT personnel to keep up-to-date on the technologies they deploy and administer; mistakes can result in expensive downtime or even loss of critical data.
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When cutting training allocations, it's important to have a plan for personnel to continue to maintain and update their knowledge and skills. There are a number of ways to save money on training. Instead of attending expensive off-site conferences that involve travel and day-to-day costs, you may be able to set up on-site training or utilise computer-based training and self-study programs to accomplish the same goals.
Encourage IT personnel to keep learning. If the company can no longer afford to pay all the expenses for employees to obtain industry certifications, for example, you may still be able to cover part of the expenses, such as the exam fee, and/or offer incentives, monetary or otherwise, to employees who complete the training on their own time.
9. Replace dedicated WAN links with site-to-site VPN
If your business has multiple physical locations and you have dedicated leased lines connecting them, it might be time to think about ditching the expensive dedicated links and replacing them with site-to-site VPN connections instead. Medium-sized and large businesses may be able to save thousands on monthly fees by doing this.
10. Outsource some services
Outsourcing is a sensitive subject. Many people, upon hearing the word, think only of personnel cuts and jobs going to foreign shores. But judicious outsourcing can allow you to better utilise the personnel you have and more efficiently and cost-effectively run your IT operation, without entrusting your data to people half a world away.
For example, as your business grows and your need for servers increases, you might find that it's less expensive and less trouble to use a hosting service for your web servers or email, rather than buying more hardware and hiring more personnel. As with other money-saving measures, this is not a one-size-fits-all solution and you should first assess your specific needs, compare prices and do a cost/benefits analysis to determine whether outsourcing really is the most cost-effective option in both the short and long run.
Debra Littlejohn Shinder is a technology consultant, trainer and writer.
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