Go Against your Instincts

The backdrop of media gloom and the increasing economic downturn looms over business technology purchasing. But not only is it possible to get funding for projects, it is the best way to ensure that your business survives whatever the financial market may throw at you.

Efficiency Gains

Now is the best time to upgrade your technology and make your workforce more efficient. Of course, this idea goes against all current wisdom which urges cautious spending while long term damage to the economy and its affect on business is assessed. But this reversal of thinking is logical, as this article shall explain.

To begin, ask yourself this question. Is your workforce working as effectively as possible? Almost no one can honestly answer yes to this question, because there are always areas where improvements could be forged. The next question is how many of these inefficiencies are caused by technological snags, and similarly, the majority of organisations will have a clear idea what they would improve about their technology platform.

The Options
Now if we bring this line of questioning up to date, we must consider that business over the next few years could be the toughest it’s been for years. There are two choices for businesses at this time. They can either pull the shutters down, work with what they have and hope their customers and marketshare are strong enough to endure the monetary turbulence.

Many businesses are of course taking this approach, believing it is the only way to safeguard the future. But consider another question, can businesses really thrive by standing still? It’s an old mantra that standing still in business is the same as going backwards, and it is true - competition, customers and market forces will change and those organisations treading water will be left behind.

The second option is to spend and invest in ways to improve the way you work. The trick is to create a compelling business case that negates any initial cash outlay with the promise of short and long term gains. The business case is relatively easy, the hardest part is making the mental leap to believe that spending money will save money, and that accountants will follow and agree with your thought process.

Accountants, contrary to what we might believe, will take a long term view of an investment if they can see compelling evidence that their spend will offer a strong return.

Funding Business Projects
Many business projects get rejected for funding as the reasons for the outlay are not clear enough. For example, if you like the idea of offering staff the facility to log and track their own IT support calls, you cannot justify it by saying it will make for happier users. This is simply not going to get approval.

If however you can calculate the reduction in time spent processing routine calls that self-logging would offer, then map this against the improved uptime and speed to make projects go live that a support desk could generate if they had a lower workload, then you might grab the attention of the money guardians.

What to Consider
Looking even more specifically at the support desk, many software solutions have large inefficiencies in place that could be removed with a new system. Consider the ways that SupportDesk the service desk solution from Richmond Systems could save your business money.

Firstly, there is the improved efficiency that a fast, integrated system offers. Then you can factor in rapid deployment, lack of contract lock-ins, expert and affordable consultancy, and ITIL processes included as standard (with ITIL itself promising huge efficiency gains to those embedding it at an operational level).

All the factors mentioned have a direct financial implication, and if you can solidify the benefits in cash terms, you may find the funding is more readily available than you might imagine.

To further investigate the benefits of SupportDesk there are two easy steps to take. Firstly a live one-to-one web based demonstration enabling you to see SupportDesk in action. This is the perfect opportunity to get answers to your questions while seeing the software demonstrated for your specific requirements. To book a demonstration click here.

The second options is to download a complimentary 30 day trial version of SupportDesk by visiting www.richmondsupportdesk.com.

If you would like to discuss further your service desk needs to see how we can be of assistance please call tel +44 (0)1428 641616.