The cost of IT equipment is, undoubtedly, one of the most significant expenses businesses and enterprises must contend with – especially those in the start-up phase. Essential hardware like servers and printers demand hefty upfront investments as well as ongoing maintenance and repairs.
Unfortunately, many IT managers leave the cost of hardware and hardware maintenance out of their annual budgets. And, when a server breaks down, an RFID scanner malfunctions or a few staff computers well and truly die, they just don’t have the funds needed to make the required replacement purchases and continue day-to-day operations.
What’s more, technology evolves at lightning speed. The hardware your team purchased three years ago is already outdated. New innovations deliver a whole host of productivity-boosting features that could be saving your team time and money.
“Businesses that invest in the right technologies are assuring future growth and success.” – Forbes
So, what is the solution? Hardware as a Service (HaaS).
What is Hardware as a Service?
Instead of purchasing the hardware outright or leasing it, essential IT equipment is provided by an IT provider for a monthly fee. This allows businesses to secure the up-to-date technologies they need at a manageable, predictable cost.
Sometimes, the hardware is stored on-site at the client’s workplace. For example, things like wireless routers and printers are necessary for the office. Other times, the responsibility of storing the hardware falls on the IT provider’s shoulders. For example, large computer servers are typically housed by the provider rather than the client.
Is HaaS right for everyone?
Many businesses utilize HaaS to enhance efficiency and give their team members access to the latest functionalities. Enterprises looking to embark on a period of growth or change are especially favorable candidates.
For very large or very small businesses, HaaS may not be the right choice. Large companies often want full control over their IT equipment – Hardware as a Service solutions don’t always offer the level of transparency these businesses need. Extremely small businesses, on the other hand, may require such minimal IT equipment to operate that acquiring a trusted services partner simply isn’t a priority.
How can Hardware as a Service make your business more efficient?
HaaS can make your business run more efficiently in several ways. Let’s take a look at just four.
1. Lower, more predictable costs
The modern-day consumer has higher service expectations than ever before – especially as business becomes more reliant on the internet and cloud-based technologies. The thing is, the combined expenses of procuring, maintaining, and upgrading the infrastructure and systems needed to meet these expectations can be a deal-breaker for some companies. Things like servers, computers, hubs, and other equipment don’t typically come cheap.
HaaS providers pass on the efficiencies of their volume unit purchases to their clients. What’s more, the cost of one-time upgrades is covered in multiple regular payments rather than an unexpected lump sum. Ensuring your IT expenses are predictable month-to-month is key.
2. Enhanced productivity
Downtime is expensive – and inefficient. What would happen if your hardware was out for a couple of hours or even a couple of days? Things like sale losses, damage to your reputation, and lost staff productivity can wreak havoc on your bottom line.
Redundancy, upgrades, and testing are vital to minimizing downtime and unshackling your business from the vicious break-fix cycle.
“Despite the heavy focus on profitability or the strength of your human capital, managing your time properly is by far the most important element of success in today’s market.” – Entrepreneur
With HaaS, the cost and effort of maintaining hardware are outsourced, giving your internal team the freedom they need to focus on both day-to-day activities and big-picture growth-drivers.
3. Access to the latest features and functionalities
The best HaaS providers are tech-obsessed. They make it their mission to keep up with the latest innovations and cutting-edge technologies. When you enlist their help, you automatically have a full-blown expert on your team. This can benefit your business in several ways:
- When large capital expenses are out of the equation, your business has the flexibility to expand and retract your IT as needed.
- Your business becomes more flexible, meaning you can adopt new technologies and systems as your clients’ expectations change.
- Your internal team can spend more time focusing on their core responsibilities and less time researching the dizzying array of tech brands, models, specs, and more.
4. Maximized security
Cybersecurity and efficiency go hand-in-hand – a successful breach can render your hardware unusable, causing significant downtime, putting your critical data at risk, and resulting in lost sales.
The problem is, cyberattacks are becoming more prevalent and more sophisticated. The annual cost of cybercrime worldwide is expected to top $6 trillion by 2021.
Outdated hardware and software are one of the most significant vulnerabilities facing companies of all sizes. With a HaaS provider on your side, you can rest easy knowing they are taking every precaution necessary to protect your equipment, business, customers, and reputation against malicious threats.
Ready to get started with HaaS?
Almost all small- to medium-sized businesses can benefit from opting for HaaS rather than traditional up-front purchases. By keeping your IT budget predictable and giving your team access to the latest services on the market, HaaS could be just the solution your company needs to grow its offerings and expand into new, more profitable markets.
Get in touch today to find out more. Our IT experts would be more than happy to discuss your business’s needs.
