Posted by: Tavis Patterson on January 24, 2020 at 8:00 am
New Year, New IT Budget — The President’s Corner
2020 is upon us and with it I hope that you have a great year of business! As I go out and talk to our clients, many say that 2019 was a very good year for them.
It’s important to include an IT budget line item in your financial planning.
It’s hard to believe that Windows 7 is 10 years old. The computers that we are using now have gotten tremendously more powerful and quick than 10 years ago.
Unfortunately some business owners delay upgrades due to concerns that “Microsoft is just taking our money.” While I can understand this argument as Microsoft grows larger every day, I also know the large, detrimental effect that running non-supported operating systems can have on companies.
This is why I urge everyone to make sure and put a line item in for technology into your budgets each and every year. This line item should include such things as your Internet connection, your IT support costs either directly with us or non-direct through your IT contact onsite and part of their salary and benefits. And lastly, it has to include a cost each year to upgrade your environments.
It’s like saving for that car when you were a kid. Just do it. At the end of the year you’ll be able to upgrade at least part of your environment. Your business will run smoothly and your employees (especially the younger ones) will appreciate you for it. Just upgrading when you “have to” is not enough anymore. Especially if you don’t want to be left behind.
Have a great 2020! – TP
Tavis Patterson is the President and founder of TAZ Networks.