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A huge chunk of enterprise resources go toward keeping the lights on instead of innovation. Rising Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) can cripple your ability to fund growth and innovation. It’s like a slow leak in your budget, minor inefficiencies can snowball into big issues. 
 
But reducing TCO isn’t just about the price tag on a new device. It’s about the ongoing costs from acquisition to retirement that slowly drain your budget. Did you know that 80% of IT budgets are spent on operational and maintenance costs, rather than on fresh investments?  
 
In this blog, we’ll dive into what TCO is, how poor device management leads to bloated costs, and share some simple strategies that’ll keep your IT spend in check. Let’s break down the secrets to reducing TCO through smarter IT device management

What Exactly is TCO? Let’s Break It Down

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is the total price you pay to own and operate an IT asset from its purchase through to its disposal. The key contributors to TCO include: 

  1. Acquisition Costs
  • Expenses for accessories, warranties, and support agreements. 
  1. Deployment Costs
  • Configuration and installation of systems. 
  • Training staff to use new technologies. 
  • Migration of data and integration into existing systems. 
  1. Operational Costs
  • Day-to-day maintenance and support. 
  • Power consumption and other utilities. 
  • Subscription fees for software-as-a-service (SaaS) or cloud services. 
  • Security measures such as endpoint protection and compliance. 
  1. Maintenance and Upgrade Costs
  • Repairs for hardware failures. 
  • Software updates, patches, and upgrades. 
  • IT support labour, whether in-house or outsourced. 
  1. End-of-Life Costs
  • Decommissioning outdated devices. 
  • Safe and compliant disposal or recycling. 
  • Data wiping and migration to replacement systems. 
  1. Hidden Costs
  • Downtime due to system failures or inefficiencies. 
  • Employee productivity losses from outdated or poorly maintained systems. 
  • Security breaches or vulnerabilities leading to data loss or fines. 

By identifying and managing these areas effectively, businesses can significantly reduce TCO, improve operational efficiency, and allocate resources toward innovation. However, the challenge for IT teams is identifying and fixing these leaks before they drain the resources needed for strategic initiatives. 

Simple Yet Effective Strategies to Improve IT Device Management 

Proper device management helps streamline operations, prevent costly surprises, and make sure you’re getting the most out of your assets. According to a study, business’s waste up to one-third of their IT spending on inefficient systems. 

To reduce TCO, you need a systematic approach, one that’s customised to your organisation’s needs. Let’s dive into some key approaches. 

1. Standardise Your Devices 

Standardising your IT ecosystem reduces complexity, cutting both operational and support costs. Opt for a single brand and model wherever possible. You’ll save time, money, and sanity! 

2. Embrace Automation 

Whether it’s software updates or performance monitoring, automating tasks cuts manual intervention significantly. Invest in tools that automate routine maintenance. It frees up your team to focus on more strategic work. 

3. Shift to Proactive Maintenance

Predictive maintenance minimises downtime by identifying issues before they escalate. Use analytics to forecast potential device failures, spotting problems before they happen saves both time and money. 

4. Try Multi-Device Management

Multi-device management simplifies procurement, management, and replacement by offering a predictable cost model. It allows for better financial planning and smooth transitions across device lifecycles. 

Pro Tip: Partnering with the right device management provider can help make all these strategic changes seamless, allowing you to focus on what really matters, growing your business. 

Let Ample Help You Optimise Your IT Device Management 

Ready to reduce your TCO and boost your IT performance? Partnering with Ample means you get a tailored approach designed to minimise costs while maximising efficiency. Here’s how we can help: 

  • Lifecycle Management: From procurement to decommissioning, we handle the entire process seamlessly. 
  • Automation Solutions: We reduce manual workload and increase efficiency. 
  • Predictive Analytics: We help spot potential issues before they become problems. 

Let’s work together to ensure your IT devices are working as hard as you are, without the costly surprises.