In a business landscape where success is ruled by the bottom line, operational expenses have to be handled strategically. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) don’t have the same financial flexibility as bigger corporations, meaning their budgets need even more eagle-eyed oversight. While experience in business, accounting, and your specific industry can help guide cash-conscious decisions, IT expertise likely isn’t part of your repertoire. In this case, outsourcing to a local provider might be a move that saves you a bundle. Keep reading to find out how.
Why Focus on Your IT?
Let’s start with a quick exercise. Spend the next 30 seconds listing any of your daily business tasks that wouldn’t function without IT…
…
Finished? Even off the top of your head, it’s clear how integral IT is to operations—desktops, internet access, emails, reporting, filing, documentation, storage, meetings, websites, client bookings, payroll, internal and external communications, and more – all rely on speedy, secure technology.
Yet, it’s easy to let your tech spending get out of hand. Nash Squared reports that the average IT budget for businesses is 7% of their revenue, and tech leaders predict these budgets to grow as more companies opt for cloud-hosted solutions and the like. For SMEs, every bit of your budget counts, so getting your IT spend right is crucial.
1.) Reduced Overheads
Maintaining a permanent in-house IT team can be expensive, particularly for small businesses. Salaries, benefits, ongoing training, and the costs associated with staying on top of rapidly evolving technology can add up quickly. IT support in Lichfield provides a cost-effective alternative:
- Outsourced IT support costs £15-£350 per user per month.
- Salaries for IT support staff start at £27,000 a year, increasing depending on experience.
- Internal IT teams usually require at least 2 salaried staff members (not including pro-rata support to cover sick leave).
By outsourcing support, you gain access to a team of experts with a diverse set of skills and knowledge. This range of expertise is typically far broader than what SMEs could afford to maintain in-house—for example, one technician might specialise in compliance-focused security, while another excels in cloud computing solutions.
This comprehensive support ensures that all aspects of your IT infrastructure are well managed without the need for costly in-house specialists.
2.) Reduced Wastage
IT investments are significant for any business, but misaligned technology and unnecessary purchases can lead you to overspend on tech that underdelivers. Local IT professionals can help ensure you only spend on what you truly need.
According to a Nexthink survey:
- 50% of the software licenses businesses pay for aren’t being used.
- This translates to over £400 million per year.
- Most businesses are unaware of how much their software investments are being wasted.
The pros can conduct thorough assessments to understand your business requirements and recommend scalable solutions that fit perfectly while allowing room to grow. This aligned tech, which can be scaled up or down as and when needed, also saves you from having to account for next year’s expenses in this year’s IT budget—a key advantage for SMEs.
IT support in Lichfield enables you to get the most out of your existing technology, too. Regular maintenance and updates keep your systems running efficiently, extending their lifespan and performance. And, they can guide your staff on the full capabilities of the technology you already have, maximising your return on investment.
3.) Reduced Downtime
Downtime can be incredibly costly for businesses, not just in terms of lost revenue but also in the price associated with repairs and getting systems back online. In 2017, IT downtime cost UK businesses an average of £3.6 million a year—that’s about £4.6 million today.
IT providers can identify and address potential issues proactively, before they become major threats to business continuity. Through implementing regular system updates, security patches, and performance optimisations, they’ll conduct ongoing maintenance that contributes to a more stable IT environment.
Having support near you also guarantees faster response times if an issue does arise. Local teams can often provide on-site aid more quickly than remote providers, reducing the time it takes to resolve problems and get your systems back up and running.
4.) Reduced Impact on Reputation
Downtime and IT issues don’t just cost you money directly; they also affect your reputation and client trust. While a single bad service experience can erode customer confidence, repeat problems can decimate it entirely, leading to lost business and increased spending on PR and marketing efforts to rebuild your reputation.
IT support in Lichfield ensures your systems are reliable and secure, preventing incidents that could damage your brand. This helps retain customer confidence and loyalty, which is invaluable for your business’s long-term success.
When your IT systems are consistently performing well, there’s less need to spend on PR campaigns to repair your reputation. Your marketing efforts can focus on growth and customer acquisition, rather than damage control.
So, Why Choose IT Support in Lichfield?
When considering how to best manage your IT needs, think about the long-term savings and benefits of professional IT support. Not only does it make financial sense, but it also positions your business for sustained growth and success.
Investing in IT support in Lichfield offers numerous advantages for SMEs when it comes to costs, monetary or otherwise. By lowering overheads, minimising wastage, reducing downtime, and protecting your reputation, local IT support can significantly enhance your operational efficiency and financial health, ensuring you’re really getting the most from your tech spend.
MT Services: The #1 Technology Partner for West Midlands Businesses
For over 50 years, businesses across the West Midlands have relied on us for fast, personal, and effective IT support, cyber security, and IT infrastructure – all delivered by a friendly team from our Tamworth HQ.
Our mission? To unlock your business’s potential through tailored technological solutions. By understanding your unique objectives, we craft strategies that propel you towards your goals. Our forward-thinking approach ensures we deliver cutting-edge solutions, fostering growth and innovation for any project, in any industry.
Ready for exceptional IT support? All it takes is a conversation – book a complimentary discovery meeting with our experts today.
