| Budgeting for 2021 |
With everything in the news, it may seem impossible to plan dinner, let alone business budgets, for 2021. We are here to help. Many of our clients actually plan detailed budgets two to three years in advance. Some of our nonprofit clients plan even further into the future. While all plans are subject to change, it can be helpful to at least crunch some basic projections about what the future may hold. Here are just some of the things we can help you analyze:
Desktop/Notebook/Server ages and warranty expiration dates.
Assuming your employee headcount and business needs don’t change, generally a desktop should be replaced every 3-5 years and every notebook should be replaced every 2-3 years. So, if you divide your desktops by 5 years and your notebooks by 3 years, that will give you a pretty good idea on ideal annual workstation hardware budget.
Desktop/Notebook/Server utilization- disk, CPU, and memory.
Sometimes it’s better to plan device replacements based on how intensely they’re used, as opposed to how old they are. We can quantitatively compare how hard systems are being pushed.Cloud Service contract expiration dates. It’s important to know when renewals are coming due, to avoid service interruptions and maximize potential renewal discounts and feature add-ons.
Firewall/Router/Switch/Access Point end-of-life dates.
Key network infrastructure devices become big security vulnerabilities unless they are kept up-to-date with manufacturer-supplied patches. After hardware goes end-of-life, the manufacturer stops making security patches.
Labor costs to replace specific hardware items.
Cloud migration costs to offset server hardware replacement. Sometimes the cloud is less expensive than traditional hardware. Sometimes the cloud is more expensive and comes with more features. Perhaps your accounting has a preference for operating expenses or capital expenses. Every situation is unique.
Software end-of-life dates.
Out-of-date software opens you to bugs and security vulnerabilities, as well as incompatibility with other new software.
New technologies that may improve efficiency.
Technology is a treadmill that keeps moving faster. New options deserve periodic reviews.
Better work-from-home options.
Maybe faster, more reliable, or more secure solutions would be welcomed by your employees.
Better video conference tools.
The pandemic has made video conferencing a business requirement for many. Solutions are continually becoming easier to use, growing more secure, and allowing you to look more professional.
Contact us for more tips and planning assistance. We’re here for you!
