10 Ways to Save Money on IT Operations

Running a technology business can be a lot of fun, but it can also be really expensive if you’re not careful. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to save money on the tools you need to run your business without jeopardizing your customer service or product quality in the process.?

1) Use Open Source

Open source software tools are typically freely available, so they can save your business money while also giving you more control over your computing environment. A great example of open source AWX Tower as an Ansible automation platform.It allows you to run your playbooks on your inventory, build a workflow, integrate with other tools.?

2) Use Agile Methodologies

Agile methodologies such as Scrum help alleviate some of these issues by providing a framework for sprinting through problems and challenges. After each iteration, teams are forced to sit down and work out any bugs or challenges they’ve encountered, which makes it more likely that they’ll meet their goals before time runs out. This not only helps your team save money but also helps them hit deadlines without sacrificing quality.

3) Consider Cloud Solutions?

Do you currently have a data center? If so, you may want to consider hosting your own applications in-house or moving your operations to a cloud provider. Cloud computing is quickly becoming more cost-effective than owning and maintaining a full server infrastructure. While it’s true that some costs can be significant upfront, as with any new technology there will almost always be associated costs.

4) Use Tools and Software from Multiple Vendors

Make sure you’re not locking yourself into a single software vendor. Instead, make it easy for yourself by using tools and software from multiple vendors. That way, if your vendor goes out of business or makes changes that you don’t like, you won’t be at their mercy.

5) Take Advantage of Free Trials

There are many cloud services and software tools that you can use for free—or at a significantly reduced rate—during trial periods. Also, evaluate all the features during the free trial and analyze if you really need it.?

6) Do a Security Audit

Whether you’re just getting started or are about to do a refresh, it’s a good idea to perform a security audit of your company’s data and systems. Many new IT administrators find that the hardest part of their job is making sure sensitive data isn’t exposed – so take some time at your organization’s inception or start-up phase to analyze what risks you face and how best to mitigate them.

7) Leverage Staff Retraining for Efficiency Gains

In an increasingly mobile world, it can be challenging for organizations to keep all of their information technology?operations up-to-date. In some cases, they may hire contractors or full-time staff with outdated skills. To save money and remain efficient, organizations should reevaluate their needs—then retrain current staffers before hiring new people. This way, you’ll avoid spending big money on a new project that requires retraining in order to make headway.

8) Avoid Upgrades for the Sake of Upgrading

A lot of times, businesses upgrade technology simply because they feel they have to. However, there’s no real reason to always go with a new version just because it exists. Upgrades are only needed when there is a new feature in the new version .

9)Automate manual tasks

Manual tasks are time-consuming and can interrupt or disrupt your daily flow. If a task doesn’t generate significant value for your business, there may be no need to take up any of your time; try automating it instead. This will free up time and resources so you can focus on more important matters.

10) Implement right-sizing of servers to avoid extra payments

Most tech companies buy servers in bulk, which drives down their purchase price. But over time, if those servers sit idle, they cost a company more money than they should. Nowadays there are many operational, automation platforms that can help you to right-size your machines.?