mean the difference between a free service call (when the problem is caught in time for the warranty to cover it) or a hefty repair bill (if the problem is ignored). “Improper documentation can be a real thorn in the side of a struggling business,†says Parisella, “that spends money unnecessarily because it doesn’t know what equipment it owns and how those investments are being maintained.â€
As companies continue to find ways to lower their costs of doing business, Friedman says those looking at their IT budgets must do so in a way that doesn’t find firms “cutting off their noses to spite their faces.†Consider, for example, whether the decreases will truly help reduce cost structure, or whether they will hamper performance and profitability. “Look carefully at your business,†says Friedman, “and figure out ways to reduce IT expenses that don’t hurt your company in the long run.â€