5 Ways to Save on IT

IT Creep and How to Solve It

More often than not, SME IT estates are less efficient than they could be. There are a few reasons for this, but IT Creep is not uncommon in a business that has been trading for a while. This blog will detail some key elements for IT creep, and discuss how to consolidate those services. We'll start with Office Suites, and finish up with Internet Connectivity, with every element of IT services in most businesses covered in between.

Office Suites

SMEs can't avoid using an office app suite. They're great tools that enable communication, collaboration, and productivity. However, many businesses use multiple, disparate office suite solutions which leads to inefficiencies and increased costs.

By consolidating to a single, integrated office suite, businesses can achieve significant cost efficiencies. Using one Office Suite, for example Microsoft 365, businesses can reduce licensing fees, improve teamwork, and manage their estate much more easily. At Mason Infotech we recommend Microsoft 365 as a robust, all-in-one office suite solution for business.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is a critical concern for all SMEs, but most businesses have to manage multiple solutions, which makes it costly and complex. We recommend bringing security services into a unified platform, which maintains your posture but reduces expenditure.

Centralised management of security policies and updates reduces vulnerability to threats, while also making it easier to monitor and respond to threats from a single dashboard. Microsoft Defender for Business integrates with your Microsoft 365 platform to create an all-in-one cybersecurity platform. Leverage IT support for small business from Mason Infotech to ensure proper implementation and management.

Network Management

Efficient network management is vital for maintaining business operations, but managing multiple network solutions can lead to inefficiencies and higher costs. Consolidating network management services can simplify operations and reduce expenses. You can lower the total cost of ownership by using a unified network management system like Cisco Meraki, which makes it easier to monitor and maintain network performance with a centralised dashboard.

We recommend using Cisco Meraki because it offers a central control and monitoring portal, which maked SME IT support easy to report on, ensuring you always know what's going on in your estate.

Cloud Services

Cloud services provide flexibility and scalability, but using multiple cloud providers can result in higher costs and complexity. Consolidating cloud services with a single provider can lead to significant savings and improved efficiency.

If you currently use a mixture of cloud subscription services and host services on an on-prem server, it's worth considering consolidating to a provider like Microsoft Azure. Our Small Company IT Support for Cloud ensures your migration is seamless, and your users don't struggle with the move.

Internet Connectivity

Best practice has changed over time, and where once businesses set up connections with backups via multiple providers, there are new, more secure products available that make consolidating services the best move, as managing multiple internet service providers can be costly and inefficient.

With Mason Infotech, you can lower your costs as we negotiate best rates with the local ISPs, and an enhanced service quality. We work with both the big providers and Alt-Net providers to seek the best available connection and service for the location, while your businesses deals only with Mason Infotech. We provide IT Support in Nottingham and beyond to help with the transition and ongoing management.

Consolidating IT services is a strategic approach that can help SMEs save money, improve efficiency, and enhance security. By focusing on Office Suites, Cybersecurity, Network Management, Cloud Services, and Internet Connectivity, businesses can achieve significant cost savings and operational benefits.

We offer SME IT support to ensure a smooth consolidation process and provide ongoing support to maintain and optimise your IT infrastructure.