Contents:
Introduction: Denver IT Support
Assess your IT Support Needs
Understand Different IT Support Models
Budget for Essential IT Services and Products
Scaling for your IT Needs
Seek Expert IT Advice
Calculate Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for IT Needs
Introduction: Denver IT Support
Information Technology (IT) is the backbone of your Denver business or non-profit. Small businesses are especially reliant on IT systems to operate efficiently and compete in the marketplace. Budgeting for IT Support can be a challenge, especially when resources are limited.
Trying to cut corners on your IT is often more costly than potentially overpaying upfront. What are the keys to proper IT budgeting for your Denver business or non-profit?
Assess Your IT Needs
Budgeting for IT support starts with assessing your needs. Consider the following factors:
- What is your business size?
- What are the unique IT requirements associated with your industry?
- How many employees rely on your IT systems to complete their daily tasks?
- Do you have a physical office or is your business primarily remote?
The answers to these questions will help you determine the scale and complexity of IT support necessary for your Denver area business.
Understand the Different IT Support Models:
Denver small businesses and non-profits have a few options in IT support models. Each has it’s own cost structure and challenges. The four primary models are:
In-House IT: Hiring Dedicated staff can provide immediate support, but it can be expensive in terms of salaries, benefits, and ongoing training. For most small businesses and non-profits, in-house IT is a non-starter. A full-time IT person with average skills can easily cost you over $10,000 per month once you factor in all of the associated costs like recruiting, management overhead, equipment, office space, etc. This does not include any of your IT tools or equipment, and what do you do when your IT guy goes on vacation?
The other challenge is the variety of skill sets your organization needs and that no one person will be a master of all IT skills.
Managed IT Services: Outsourcing IT support to a Managed Service Provider (MSP) is a cost-effective option. MSPs offer various levels of service and support so you can determine the level that best matches your organization’s needs. MSPs provide a consistent monthly cost that can include cyber security tools, and systems to keep your devices healthy and up to date.
MSPs give you access to all the skill sets you need, consistent year round support, and multiple technicians for a fraction of the price of an in-house IT technician.
MSPs provide the best allocation of skills, price, security, and availability for small to midsize businesses and non-profits.
Co-Managed IT: For those businesses large enough to justify in-house IT who also want the benefits of an MSP, Co-managed IT (CoMIT) is a hybrid solution balancing external and internal support.
CoMIT allows companies to balance the cost and expertise benefits of an MSP with the institutional knowledge and immediacy of In-house IT.
Break-Fix Support: This is the model where you pay for IT support only when something breaks. While it may seem cost-effective upfront, it can lead to unexpected expenses and downtime. Given today’s Cyber-criminal landscape, it’s especially risky to wait until something goes wrong to get an IT professional engaged on your behalf.
Break-Fix support is the model that puts your organization at the greatest risk in the hope of saving money.
Budget for Essential Components
Whichever model you choose, there are essential additional components you will need to budget for. Many of these will be included in an MSP or CoMIT model, but whichever model you choose, you need to plan for each of these components:
Hardware and Software: This includes the cost of computers, servers, networking equipment, operating systems, and software licenses. You should budget for upgrades and replacements over time as well.
Security: Cybersecurity is crucial, and the threat landscape is constantly changing. Allocate funds for firewalls, antivirus, endpoint protection, encryption, email filtering, employee training, and security assessments.
Data Backup and Recovery: Data loss can be costly and detrimental to your business. Invest in data backup solutions and create a disaster recovery plan to protect you from natural disasters, human error, and criminal activity.
Regular Maintenance: Regular maintenance and updates are necessary to prevent system failures and vulnerabilities. A combination of tools, protocols and processes can help keep your environment safe and healthy.
Help Desk Support: Ensure you have a help desk or support system in place to address employee IT issues promptly. Your IT systems are intended to increase your efficiency and productivity. Make sure that computer issues do not stand in the way of your team doing their jobs.
Scale for Your IT Needs
Your IT support budget should be flexible enough to support growth. As your business expands, your IT needs will likely increase. Be prepared to adjust your budget to meet those evolving requirements and accommodate your growth.
Seek Expert Advice
Consult with IT professionals and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) who can assess your specific needs and help you develop an accurate budget. They can also recommend cost-effective solutions and assist in long-term IT planning.
Calculate Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for IT Needs
When Budgeting for IT Support, consider the total cost of ownership. This includes not only the initial setup costs but also ongoing expenses like maintenance, upgrades, support fees and replacement costs. TCO provides a realistic view of your IT expenses over time.
Conclusion
Budgeting for IT support is a critical aspect of running a business or non-profit in today’s digital landscape. By assessing your needs, understanding different support models, and factoring in essential IT components, you can create a budget that ensures the reliability and security of your IT infrastructure without breaking the bank. Remember that IT is an investment in the future success of your business, so allocate your resources wisely to drive growth and efficiency. Seeking the help of an expert IT Company who can walk you through every option is a great place to start.
