Member Article

Clever ways to spend IT budgets for businesses

Innovations are released almost daily that can really transform a business. Email took over from post, VOIP calls have taken over from the telephone, and instant messaging has replaced the water-cooler gossip (or spread it further!).

The tendency technology has for creating ever more streamlined, faster and agile ways of working has been vastly accelerated by the rise of mobile and cloud computing technologies. Growing businesses are looking for that competitive edge which lets them compete with bigger, wealthier rivals and agile smaller businesses. These mobile, connective technologies are one way to spend an IT budget that will deliver an impactful result on the business. Whether it’s working smarter, enhancing productivity or streamlining day-to-day activity across teams, making the business a clever one is a winning aim.

IT budgets are never limitless, and the challenge arises in understanding the best place to begin when innovating in an established business in order to reap the benefits of clever ways of working.

For any business looking to get the best bang for their buck, here are four smart investments that can begin the process of turning a traditionally run business IT set-up into a clever business:

1. Recognise flexible working is the future and prepare the ground

Flexibility is a strength. Businesses should embrace a flexible working policy and lower the office overheads. To ensure the business grows and becomes more robust, employees need to access their business information and their colleagues at all times, even whilst working remotely. This applies to everything. From emails to invoicing, sales data to telephony.

The only way to manage cost effectively and securely is through ‘cloud computing’ services. For instance, the ‘always on’ availability of communications tools, like Microsoft Skype for Business, can facilitate hassle-free collaboration and communication within the business. It cuts the need to use presentation sharing solutions, allows group conference calls or video chats, and allows collaborative working. The fully featured cloud-based productivity suite Office 365 replaces all the old Office, calendar and file-sharing tools from Microsoft and a variety of other vendors, by giving a business dedicated, secure, shared places to work on documents and share insights amongst work groups. That means fewer emails, faster cooperation, and smarter teams.

2. Implement a ‘BYOD’ policy that employees can actually work with

The advantages of implementing a Bring Your Own Device policy means less expenditure on fixed, physical IT infrastructure as well as managing, insuring and replacing work phones, tablets and laptops. Moreover, by increasing productivity by giving people the tools they are familiar with, employees simply enjoy work more. Clever, is creating a more loyal and engaged workforce. Of course that’s not to discount implications regarding data security and reliable IT support as both issues are also more easily solved with online solutions where colleagues can find support without going to their own IT support desk. Data security is also kept well up to date on public cloud solutions as the big vendors offering these services are able to stay ahead of the latest online threats on a 24/7 basis, unlike the average in-house IT team.

3. Data security in the DNA

When making a more connected workforce, businesses need to ensure wireless networks are password protected and sensitive data protected from access by anyone on the network. Once again, the public cloud platforms like Office 365 offer security apps and settings so a business can fine tune levels of security, encryption, and authorised use.

4. Get those servers off site

The core premise of business use of the cloud is the “pay as you go” style. All providers will offer access to enterprise-level storage solutions at a low monthly cost, and allow a business to scale their subscriptions up or down. The differences between service providers often comes down to the amount of support the business is willing to pay for: faster/ easier, expert support or saving money via more self-service options.

Storing business information under a robust agreement with a cloud provider limits the chance of a data security breach, and will provide convenient data backup in the event of an IT disaster back on premises.

Cloud technology has massively liberated businesses, and technology tested by big enterprises has leapt out into the world for use by businesses of any size. These simple steps can help a business build in agility, scalability and flexibility – the ingredients for business stability and growth.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ash Patel .