With Microsoft ending support for Windows 7 and Server 2008 on January 14, 2020, businesses using those systems will need a transition plan to Windows 10, Azure cloud or Server 2019. These transitions will continue to happen periodically – your firm will benefit by planning for your IT the same way. Times have changed and with change, come financial advantages!
You Don’t Need to Rip and Replace Technology Anymore
The old model of managing these kinds of updates was to make a significant upfront capital investment every time you needed new software or equipment. There are now subscription-based pricing models for everything, like hardware as a rental or the cloud, which allow you to classify just about every aspect of your technology as an operating expense instead of a capital expense.
Stabilize Your IT Budget with Hardware-as-a-Rental
Instead of purchasing hardware outright every 3 to 5 years, hardware as a rental lets you rent your machines from a managed IT services provider. The consistent monthly fee creates a stable technology budget for your business and frees up business capital for other investments.
Hardware as a rental also keeps hardware and software refreshes in sync. When support ends for an operating system, like Windows 10 or Server 2008, you don’t have to worry about budgeting for a migration and new devices.
Gain Flexibility from Usage-Based Pricing in the Cloud
Another way to eliminate costs of maintaining physical devices is to move to a cloud platform, like Microsoft Azure, where your monthly subscription costs are based on use. Adding or removing resources is easy and keeps your business agile. You no longer need to plan for server hardware refreshes, and you can access the latest versions of applications and operating systems quickly.
Depending on your needs and operating environment, you can choose to migrate all applications, operating systems and your servers to the cloud or opt for a hybrid model.
Are you running Windows Server 2008 and/or 2008 R2? If so, you can migrate your workloads to Azure and receive 3 free years of extended security updates. Contact us
Benefits of Hardware as a Rental and Moving to the Cloud
Along with ensuring your business is running optimally, modernizing IT introduces new security features and business tools to your organization.
You’ll Face Fewer Risks
Cybercriminals aren’t the only technology-related threat your business faces. Compliance poses a risk too. Failing to meet HIPAA, PCI, GDPR or any other regulation can have serious consequences for a small business owner. Up-to-date technology provides businesses the latest security features to thwart hackers and stay compliant.
Increase Business Productivity
Modernizing your operating environment reduces the chance your systems will run slowly or your hardware will breakdown. Continuously up-to-date technology increases uptime and saves money because your team can take advantage of new communication and collaboration platforms and operate more efficiently, as new and updated capabilities are released.
Unlock Opportunities and Insights
Through the cloud, small businesses can access innovative features and tools to gain insight to different areas of their organization. For instance, in PowerBI, you can easily analyze key business data and apply insights to your overall strategy. Secure Score safeguards your organization with a dashboard displaying must-know security information.
Consult a Managed IT Services Provider to Get Started
If you are looking for ways to save on technology, contact a managed IT services provider. Look for an IT expert who will listen to the issues facing your organization and propose ways to save money on IT while keeping your technology up-to-date.
At Deerwood, we offer hardware as a rental with Managed IT support baked in, creating a consistent cost for your hardware and support. Machines are refreshed every 3 years, and you still only pay the monthly subscription. You can rent:
- Workstations
- Laptops
- Network Security equipment
- Servers
Our team can also set your business up with a native or hybrid cloud solution and will work with you to identify the cloud usage model best for your business.
Ready to start saving money on technology? Contact us to discuss your options.