Let’s start with the data. 64% of UK organisations plan to increase their IT spend in 2025. With the average price point already being £50-£100 per user per month in the UK, this may feel expensive. However, there are multiple justifications for this. And when put into context against the US, where MSPs are regulated and cyber security focused, the starting avg per user charge is $120 and can cost over $350.
Let’s dive into why, and how your business can drive value from your IT spend in 2025. [1]
The IT and technology environment in the UK is forever changing, with digital transformation playing a key role in business priorities over the coming years. While many businesses have already begun digitalising their operations, the transformation is an ongoing process with many moving parts, especially with the introduction of AI.
Businesses want to adopt new technologies, integrate digital processes and solutions, and modernise their legacy systems. They want to migrate to the cloud and unlock opportunities for scalability, operational flexibility, and long-term cost efficiency. They want to improve their Cyber Security posture as more sophisticated and damaging attacks come into the world.
Good IT suppliers want to do all of this, and more. However, there’s a huge nationwide shortage of skill to deliver this into SMEs, and thus reducing the possibility of effectively producing results, as well as the cost to do so. It’s therefore so important for businesses to review the value they are receiving from the cost of their IT, not just the standalone cost. [2]
What steps can your business take to review the value received from your IT supplier?
Firstly, some tough love. The accountability for your IT will always sit with you. When outsourcing, you are shifting the responsibility not the accountability. This is particularly apparent should you be on the wrong end of an incident. Any data lost or stolen is at the cost to your business, and your customers. Now this is not to say that businesses should conduct their own IT, as often MSPs are both the most cost effective and higher skill-based option. Instead, it’s about holding your supplier responsible for the performance of IT in your organisation.
1. Producing an IT strategy is a great place to start. You need to be aware of how your technological goals are aligning with your business ambitions for you to drive IT forward. Once the strategy is defined, have your supplier plan out a roadmap towards delivery of this strategy. Ideas are easy, execution is everything. This should regularly include meetings to review performance and costs.
2. Most businesses should be considering the benefits of the cloud. Now is the time. Using cloud software and infrastructure has huge benefits, and it’s now more available than ever to SMEs. It’s critical your IT supplier understands how to move your business into the cloud but also manage and support you there securely.
3. Security. Security. Security. The steps your supplier is taking to keep your business cyber secure, is so important. It’s difficult to hold suppliers responsible for this, due to the technical understanding needed to hold a discussion. That’s where Cyber Essentials comes in. Put simple, if you’re passing Cyber Essentials every year, you’re protected from 80% of the most common attacks. If you do nothing else, get Cyber Essentials certified.
Shameless plug – if you need a supplier who can run your IT and get you Cyber Essentials (& Cyber Essentials Plus) in-house, please contact us today! You’ll receive up to £25,000 in free cyber insurance from the NCSC, all while preventing 80% of cyber-attacks and allowing organisations to tender for Government contacts. [3]
So, if your IT supplier is driving value into your business, it’s likely to cost more than those that aren’t. Balancing your unique needs with the supplier’s proposition is key, i.e. you only want to pay for what you need. Here’s a few considerations to achieve this:
Tailored Solutions – the right IT supplier will actively seek to understand your unique business needs and provide customised support to ensure you are not overpaying for services you simply don’t need or use. Ask lots of questions as to why certain technologies are being recommended.
Efficient Service – your team need to have issues resolved quickly and to the root cause. The more downtime, the more cost to your business. A good supplier will invest heavily in skilled staff to ensure your business is being as efficient as possible.
Accreditations not awards – reviewing the accreditations and certifications of your supplier is a great indicator for their capability. Pay particular attention to certifications in cyber security, as this is where the biggest skill gap is in the UK right now. Awards are often paid for, and, no longer a good indicator of performance (in my opinion).
IT costs are rising, and ultimately, they need to. But they need to be rising for the right reasons, and that’s to keep businesses more secure in today’s world and provide long term efficiency and cost savings back to the business. Partnering with the wrong IT supplier will mean a reduction in value, and cost more in the long term. 2025 is the year for driving value from your IT spend!
At bzb IT, we’re here to help you get the most from your IT investment. We provide tailored IT services to meet your business goals. High-quality support delivered by our highly skilled team, shown with our Microsoft Modern Work Solutions Partner accreditation. As a Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus Certification Body, we don’t just talk about security – we help businesses meet essential standards, protecting your data, operations, and reputation.
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