12 Money Saving Tech Tips For SMBs
Smaller companies are under constant pressure to maximize their performance with minimal resources. However, you can't do business without technology -- and tech means spending money, something there never seems to be quite enough of for growing businesses. You keep a vigilant eye on costs as a matter of course. So you need to be creative to get what you and your employees need -- from phone service to software to desks and chairs -- without busting the budget. No matter what your business needs
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Shifting some or even all of your servers, software, and other IT infrastructure beyond the physical walls of your business can make big sense for small firms. Cloud computing might offer significant savings not just in startup costs but also in maintenance and security.
Sometimes saving crucial cash is just a matter of shopping around for the best deal. In other cases, you may need to be more innovative in your approach, whether that means retooling existing gear or finding like-minding organizations to share costs. It could be as simple as paying attention to your bills. It might be a matter of willpower, and resisting the urge to pick up toys that are less than business-critical.
SEE ALSO:
Top 10 SMB Predictions For 2011
53% Midsize Businesses Plan To Increase IT Spend
Study: Windows 7 Halves SMB Support Costs
Midmarket Leading Us Out Of The Great Recession
When Should SMBs Replace Older PCs?
12 Easy Ways To Cut Your Company's Tech Costs Now!
A key reason PCs become obsolete is that their memory can't keep up with what current software needs to run well. You can shell out for new models every couple of years, or stretch your budget by upgrading the memory on your existing machines instead.
SEE ALSO:
Top 10 SMB Predictions For 2011
53% Midsize Businesses Plan To Increase IT Spend
Study: Windows 7 Halves SMB Support Costs
Midmarket Leading Us Out Of The Great Recession
When Should SMBs Replace Older PCs?
12 Easy Ways To Cut Your Company's Tech Costs Now!
A company intranet remains an effective way to keep your team on the same page. It's a tool for sharing important internal news, organizational charts, forms, and other business-critical info. But you don't necessarily need to shell out for hardware or software to get a good one. Consider a Facebook Group, for example, or a wiki instead.
SEE ALSO:
Top 10 SMB Predictions For 2011
53% Midsize Businesses Plan To Increase IT Spend
Study: Windows 7 Halves SMB Support Costs
Midmarket Leading Us Out Of The Great Recession
When Should SMBs Replace Older PCs?
12 Easy Ways To Cut Your Company's Tech Costs Now!
There are far too many options out there to go broke on phone costs. Look closely at what your business spends on telecom and seek efficiencies. Your approach will depend on your business, but consider cutting the landline and relying on wireless, and using VoIP services for conferences.
SEE ALSO:
Top 10 SMB Predictions For 2011
53% Midsize Businesses Plan To Increase IT Spend
Study: Windows 7 Halves SMB Support Costs
Midmarket Leading Us Out Of The Great Recession
When Should SMBs Replace Older PCs?
12 Easy Ways To Cut Your Company's Tech Costs Now!
Just don't buy from this guy. Like a car, new tech tends to depreciate fast and furiously. And as the auto industry prefers "pre-owned" for its used market, tech prefers the term "refurbished." Buying refurbished can save major money, especially on hardware that always has a new model around the corner. Smartphones are a great example. Know your supplier and reap the rewards of a market that's always eager for the next new thing.
SEE ALSO:
Top 10 SMB Predictions For 2011
53% Midsize Businesses Plan To Increase IT Spend
Study: Windows 7 Halves SMB Support Costs
Midmarket Leading Us Out Of The Great Recession
When Should SMBs Replace Older PCs?
12 Easy Ways To Cut Your Company's Tech Costs Now!
Mailing and shipping costs continue to rise -- FedEx, UPS, and USPS will all increase rates in 2011, and although the postal service had its request to raise the price of a stamp denied (again), it's only a matter of time, Online postage sites like stamps.com can offer savings and convenience. (Or you could start warehousing Forever stamps.)
SEE ALSO:
Top 10 SMB Predictions For 2011
53% Midsize Businesses Plan To Increase IT Spend
Study: Windows 7 Halves SMB Support Costs
Midmarket Leading Us Out Of The Great Recession
When Should SMBs Replace Older PCs?
12 Easy Ways To Cut Your Company's Tech Costs Now!
Think you need a printer in every office? Think again. Save on hardware by networking your computers to fewer printers. Likewise, you can cut down on paper and toner costs by limiting printing to what is essential (such as legal documents that require a signature) and keeping electronic files for everything else.
SEE ALSO:
Top 10 SMB Predictions For 2011
53% Midsize Businesses Plan To Increase IT Spend
Study: Windows 7 Halves SMB Support Costs
Midmarket Leading Us Out Of The Great Recession
When Should SMBs Replace Older PCs?
12 Easy Ways To Cut Your Company's Tech Costs Now!
Not only is electricity itself a technology, but the rest of your tech runs on it, too. (Yes, even your wireless tech.) So when was the last time you looked at your power bill? If you're not keeping close tabs on it, you're likely wasting money. Power down whenever possible -- utilities might be an unavoidable cost of doing business, but you have a say in how high (or low) those costs go.
SEE ALSO:
Top 10 SMB Predictions For 2011
53% Midsize Businesses Plan To Increase IT Spend
Study: Windows 7 Halves SMB Support Costs
Midmarket Leading Us Out Of The Great Recession
When Should SMBs Replace Older PCs?
12 Easy Ways To Cut Your Company's Tech Costs Now!
This may not work for every business, but consider cost-sharing partnerships with other companies to save on everything from photocopying to office space. Tap into your local and online networks and think outside of your industry -- your businesses need nothing in common other than a shared budget.
SEE ALSO:
Top 10 SMB Predictions For 2011
53% Midsize Businesses Plan To Increase IT Spend
Study: Windows 7 Halves SMB Support Costs
Midmarket Leading Us Out Of The Great Recession
When Should SMBs Replace Older PCs?
12 Easy Ways To Cut Your Company's Tech Costs Now!
If you're not comparison shopping for your major technology purchases, you're likely not getting the best price. In fact, you should be hunting around on all of your purchases, even if relatively minor. Use social media, Google Alerts, and coupon code sites such as Retailmenot.com to your advantage. Politely ask your regular vendors to match better deals found elsewhere.
SEE ALSO:
Top 10 SMB Predictions For 2011
53% Midsize Businesses Plan To Increase IT Spend
Study: Windows 7 Halves SMB Support Costs
Midmarket Leading Us Out Of The Great Recession
When Should SMBs Replace Older PCs?
12 Easy Ways To Cut Your Company's Tech Costs Now!
Depending on your needs, there are plenty of free applications worth your business' while, from productivity to security. The phrase "you get what you pay for" can prove true -- in some cases, "free" may mean "worthless." But if you hunt around and try things out, you'll find that's often not the case.
SEE ALSO:
Top 10 SMB Predictions For 2011
53% Midsize Businesses Plan To Increase IT Spend
Study: Windows 7 Halves SMB Support Costs
Midmarket Leading Us Out Of The Great Recession
When Should SMBs Replace Older PCs?
12 Easy Ways To Cut Your Company's Tech Costs Now!
It's nice to have new toys, but sometimes your business' bottom line would be better off without them. There are certainly tech products that will help you make money -- but if you're buying something for your business because it looks good or simply because it's new, it's time to re-evaluate your priorities.
SEE ALSO:
Top 10 SMB Predictions For 2011
53% Midsize Businesses Plan To Increase IT Spend
Study: Windows 7 Halves SMB Support Costs
Midmarket Leading Us Out Of The Great Recession
When Should SMBs Replace Older PCs?
12 Easy Ways To Cut Your Company's Tech Costs Now!
It's nice to have new toys, but sometimes your business' bottom line would be better off without them. There are certainly tech products that will help you make money -- but if you're buying something for your business because it looks good or simply because it's new, it's time to re-evaluate your priorities.
SEE ALSO:
Top 10 SMB Predictions For 2011
53% Midsize Businesses Plan To Increase IT Spend
Study: Windows 7 Halves SMB Support Costs
Midmarket Leading Us Out Of The Great Recession
When Should SMBs Replace Older PCs?
12 Easy Ways To Cut Your Company's Tech Costs Now!
Shifting some or even all of your servers, software, and other IT infrastructure beyond the physical walls of your business can make big sense for small firms. Cloud computing might offer significant savings not just in startup costs but also in maintenance and security.
Sometimes saving crucial cash is just a matter of shopping around for the best deal. In other cases, you may need to be more innovative in your approach, whether that means retooling existing gear or finding like-minding organizations to share costs. It could be as simple as paying attention to your bills. It might be a matter of willpower, and resisting the urge to pick up toys that are less than business-critical.
SEE ALSO:
Top 10 SMB Predictions For 2011
53% Midsize Businesses Plan To Increase IT Spend
Study: Windows 7 Halves SMB Support Costs
Midmarket Leading Us Out Of The Great Recession
When Should SMBs Replace Older PCs?
12 Easy Ways To Cut Your Company's Tech Costs Now!
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