Efficient IT operations can save costs amid the crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world of business in many ways, notably the disruption it has caused to cash flow, the pressure it has put on budgets and the uncertainty it has created around investments. While forward-thinking IT leaders know modern processes and innovative technology are fundamental to navigating the crisis, demonstrating their value to the wider organisation and its board is a different story.
Here’s what they can do:
Say goodbye to ITAM inaccuracies
IT leaders are held accountable for their budgets and are required to show detailed and error-free information about how money is being spent. This means records should accurately reflect what assets exist, where they are and how they’re used – no more missing laptops and rogue company cell phones. Worryingly, 50% of businesses use 12 or more discovery and inventory tools, which means IT staff spend 10 hours per week on average fixing inaccuracies in the data. It’s practices like these that impact productivity and profitability to an extent that’s simply not sustainable in today’s climate. IT leaders need to make sure IT Asset Management (ITAM) operations are as efficient as possible by implementing a unified IT approach and introducing state-of-the art systems. It’s an investment that will undoubtedly pay off.
Save costs with reduced downtime
System downtime leads to more than just disgruntled customers – each hour offline can cost companies up to $5 million. At a time when profits are uncertain and resources are precious, businesses can’t afford such losses. But there are ways to prevent them. Considering human error is the main cause of downtime, IT leaders should alleviate the pressure on staff and introduce IT automation – allowing the infrastructure to self-heal and autonomously spot and resolve performance issues before they escalate. By involving technology more in critical tasks and reducing the chances of humans committing mistakes, systems can run more smoothly, thereby preventing costly downtime. Businesses should also look to streamline discovery, ensuring they know which users or devices are accessing the database and preventing any unforeseen activity from disrupting system performance.
There is no doubt this year has been financially challenging for most companies – but not all is lost. Experts suggest, to fuel better decision-making, increase efficiency and thrive in the face of difficulty, businesses should invest and focus on technology. By optimising IT assets and deploying automation to prevent costly errors, today’s organisations have a good shot at recovery and success.
