Here is a quick question for you: Is hiring an IT consultant more about spending money, or saving money?
We can certainly understand if you think it’s the first category, as most business owners and executives who haven’t worked with a great IT consultant in the past would certainly agree with you. And yet, there is one simple, easy-to-understand way that the right IT professional can help you save lots and lots of money – by helping you to appropriately plan and budget for future technology expenses.
Most business leaders know what they want their technology to do, but aren’t sure how much they need to spend to accomplish it, or whether they are devoting the bulk of their budgets to the right kinds of equipment, software packages, etc. And so, they are extremely vulnerable to salespeople and other “professionals” who know a little bit more about IT than they do.
A strong IT consultant, on the other hand, doesn’t just know what kinds of technology are reliable and work well together, but also are tasked solely with working for you and your company. So, it doesn’t matter if you haven’t heard of the latest tablet, app, or tool; they can evaluate it on your behalf and see if it’s worth the money.
Here are three instances when this type of budgetary help and review are particularly useful:
When you are putting together an IT budget or “shopping list.” It’s incredibly easy to simply buy components (and especially servers, custom software packages, and other costly bits of technology) on the recommendation of a salesperson or account rep. By bringing an IT consultant into the mix, however, you can not only ensure that you’re getting exactly what you need, but also that you’re getting it at the right price.
When your business is trying to set up a new office or facility. You would think that buying brand-new technology for a new office or location would be easiest of all, since new components shouldn’t come with any problems. The reality is, however, that these situations are amongst the most trying, since issues with setup space, ventilation, power requirements, and compatibility can all come into play. A good IT consultant can help you sort these issues out before purchases have been finalized.
When you are planning major upgrades or investments. Again, it’s important to know that you’re actually going to get what you’ve been promised, especially when it comes to the performance of the piece of hardware or software. Your IT consultant can review case studies, reviews, and technical specs to ensure that the investment you’re about to make is a good one.
IT spending can be a big part of your budget, and strongly affects the future of your company. Why not have someone on your side who can cut through the clutter and help you make the right decisions? Call or email a member of our team today to set up an initial IT consulting session, and we’ll show you what we can do for you.
