5 Tips on How to use your IT systems Smarter (cheaper)

We’ve all seen or heard the recent budget and we all have to tighten our belts and cut our spending, so I thought it would be useful to put together some areas of your IT where you could work smarter, and in some circumstances, cheaper.

1. Reduce your electricity

Businesses waste a lot of money on electricity by leaving computers, monitors and printers on overnight when the office is empty. So save some money and switch them all off before you leave each night.
2. Switch to cloud based service to save on capital expenses

Subscribing to a cloud based service can provide a major cost saving for many businesses and give them access to enterprise level applications. They can save on up front capital costs and pay for the service per user per month on a subscription basis. It’s not without its risks so it’s critical to spend time doing the necessary due diligence and research to ensure the solution meets your requirements.
3. Work out your true IT support costs

How much are you actually spending on your IT support? Not many businesses actually know so it’s worth taking 5 – 10 minutes to work this out. You’ll probably be surprised. Could you save money and get better support by outsourcing some or all of it?
4. Implement a flexible working strategy

Flexible working enables staff to work from home and work flexible hours thus cutting down on real estate that the business needs to provide and equipment costs whilst improving business productivity. Absence rates are decreased and staff satisfaction is increased as they are able to achieve a better work/life balance.
5. Get mobile

Businesses that use mobile technology realise business productivity gains, achieve greater profitability and greater customer satisfaction from being able to respond quicker and have access to live information. It doesn’t have to be expensive, it could be as simple as investing in tablets and a suitable application.