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As businesses grapple with high inflation and interest rates, the financial strain is palpable. This pressure forces companies to scrutinise and manage their technology costs meticulously. The financial burden encompasses not only the initial investments in new technology but also the ongoing expenses associated with maintaining and upgrading these systems throughout their lifecycle. Integrating and harmonising various systems further complicates budget management, requiring businesses to strike a delicate balance between innovation, operational efficiency, and stringent cost control.
The Skills Challenge
A significant hurdle in managing technology expenses is the prevalent IT skills shortage and recruitment challenges. Many organisations struggle to advance because their IT teams lack the necessary skills, which are becoming increasingly difficult to acquire. The retirement of the baby boomer generation has exacerbated this issue, especially in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and healthcare, which are experiencing a shortage of experienced workers. As technology evolves, the required skill set becomes more complex, intensifying recruitment difficulties and associated costs.
A survey by Symatrix of 200 IT decision-makers highlights this issue, with 77% reporting increased IT recruitment costs over the past three years. Nearly half noted an increase of more than 10%, and around 25% estimated that IT skills shortages cost their businesses over £100,000 annually. The slow pace of filling vacancies, with 27% of companies taking over two months, adds to the financial burden through prolonged vacancies and reduced operational capacity.
Exploring Solutions
Managing IT systems internally proves to be a significant expense for many businesses. Over a third spend more than £250,000 monthly on in-house IT management. Additionally, 42% of businesses managing IT fully in-house find the process of receiving cloud-based vendor updates costly, partly due to skills shortages.
To mitigate these challenges, many companies are turning to managed services, which offer both cost savings and enhanced value. All respondents using managed services reported achieving a return on investment (RoI), with many seeing returns within a year compared to those managing IT in-house. Notably, 61% of businesses believe they could save over £50,000 annually by switching to managed services, with 76% of current users confirming such savings.
The Strategic Imperative
In the face of current economic challenges, leveraging external expertise through managed services emerges as a strategic necessity. This approach not only provides immediate financial relief but also positions companies for sustainable growth and competitive advantage. As businesses navigate the complexities of today's economic environment, adopting managed services becomes crucial for thriving and innovating, underscoring its importance in the modern business landscape.
Find out how Venture 1 Consulting can create cost and operational efficiencies through its IT Support Services Here
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