With the current state of the economy, IT executives are being asked to stretch their budgets in order to keep their businesses profitable. In 2008, Median IT spending per user fell to $6,667 from the previous year's $7,397, according to Computer Economics. This represents a 6.2% reduction, consistent with the fact that IT managers were supporting an increasing number of users without corresponding increases in IT spending. IT spend continued to decline in 2009 and uncertainty and caution is still prevalent in 2010.
So how can you do more with less in IT? In this time of economic uncertainty, what strategies should you employ? This white paper will review each of these in greater detail.
A 123Together.com White Paper
Top Ten IT Strategies To Employ During This Economic DownturnA 123Together.com White Paper
Table of Contents Summary ................................................................................................................................................ 3 1. Stay calm and re-evaluate ................................................................................................................ 3 2. Implement selected technologies that reduce costs ......................................................................... 4 3. Help the CFO ..................................................................................................................................... 5 4. Ensure stability of all customer-facing applications .......................................................................... 5 5. Take measures for green IT .............................................................................................................. 6 Consider outsourcing key business applications to a hosted solutions provider ........................... 6 Implement applications that allow for online collaboration ......................................................... 6 6. Invest in strategic initiatives that deliver competitive advantage .................................................... 7 7. Postpone implementing disruptive technologies ............................................................................. 7 8. Secure, protect, backup and archive your data ................................................................................ 8 Devise a disaster recovery plan ................................................................................................... 8 Perform o?-site data backup ...................................................................................................... 8 Implement an o?-site archiving solution ..................................................................................... 8 9. Retain your outstanding employees ................................................................................................. 9 Ongoing training ......................................................................................................................... 9 New technology .......................................................................................................................... 9 IT-business alignment ................................................................................................................. 9 Open communication ................................................................................................................. 9 10. Re-evaluate how you approach IT .................................................................................................. 10 The bottom line .................................................................................................................................... 10 About 123Together.com ....................................................................................................................... 11 1. Hosted Microsoft Exchange Server ..................................................................................... 11 2. Hosted Windows SharePoint Services ................................................................................. 11 3. Hosted email for mobile devices ......................................................................................... 11 123Together.com customers receive ........................................................................................ 12 Try hosted Exchange email service for one month................................................................................ 12 A 123Together.com White Paper
Summary
With the current state of the economy, IT executives are being asked to stretch their budgets in order to keep their businesses profitable. In 2008, Median IT spending per user fell to $6,667 from the previous year's $7,397, according to Computer Economics. This represents a 6.2% reduction, consistent with the fact that IT managers are supporting an increasing number of users without corresponding increases in IT spending. IT spend in 2009 is expected to be even worse as economic conditions continue to decline.
So how can you do more with less in IT? In this time of economic uncertainty, what strategies should you employ? We will review each o... [download for more]
