All businesses rely on some computer technology. How much and what you need depends on your business. However, no matter how big or small your company, you need to plan for a comprehensive IT budget that includes not only hardware and software, but also data protection, data backup and recovery, and so much more. Have you planned for the new year sufficiently?
Hardware is More Than Just Computers
Too many businesses include only computers in their hardware budgets. Today’s hardware budgets should include funds for replacing and maintaining not only laptops and desktops, but also:
- Printers
- Routers
- Monitors
- Servers
- Copiers and scanners
- Telephony
Some businesses supply mobile devices and headsets as well. Don’t forget about docking stations, ethernet cable and other wiring that your devices may need to connect to each other or the network.
Software & Subscriptions
You may notice when you go to buy a new license of a program you’ve been using for years that it is no longer available. Many software programs have moved to a subscription model. You may have to convert your entire team in order to utilize the latest features. This often means an additional expense monthly or annually. If you’re planning on needing more licenses, check the websites to learn what you need to plan for this year.
IT Staff
Generally, the largest portion of any IT budget is the staff. If you don’t have staff on site or they are an increasing cost that isn’t fitting into your budget, you may want to see if a managed service provider may be a better fit for your budget. They can handle all your IT needs and more, often for less than you pay on on-site team member.
Security & Disaster Recovery
No matter what you do you need to protect your data. You should also have a back-up system in place – something that stores your data offsite in a secure manner. Nearly half of all small businesses reported at least one attack on their network in the past five years. If your data isn’t protected, you could be risking your business. In addition to these to necessary security measures, you should also consider network penetration testing. This is a semi-annual or quarterly test of your network for vulnerabilities. If you are backing up your data somewhere, you may also need someone who can handle the data restoration or recovery on one or many machines. Again, these are services provided by a managed service provider (MSP).
Toucan Technology Group Can Make IT Budget Planning Simple
If you’re looking for one provider to help with hardware, software, data protection & recovery, and serve as your IT staff look no further than Toucan Technology Group. We’re Indianapolis’s locally owned and operated managed service provider. Call us today for a free consultation regarding your needs and how we can help you whether you have an IT budget big or small – (317) 376-4874.
