All companies after a certain stage seek to achieve
cost optimization. It applies to the IT department as well.
But to best achieve cost optimization a company needs to
incorporate a few things into their practices.
A hindrance that is oft quoted as one of the main
reasons for companies being unable to achieve the desired result is the
mindset. A workplace is usually a heterogeneous mix of people from all cultures
and individuals. To get this amount of diverse population to think alike when
it comes to IT Cost Optimization is
a hurdle that is not easy to overcome.
Managing better cost optimization requires IT
transparency practices that are mature.
Performing an IT
Audit will reveal loopholes in the companies’ practices which can then be
plugged. Some suggested solutions that will help companies achieve IT cost optimization.
Agility –
An organization needs to remain agile to adapt quickly to internal changes as
well as external conditions.
Technology is purchased on long-term contracts that are abiding and companies need to
understand how to structure these so as to achieve cost optimization through
balancing per unit cost.
Accountability – Companies are required to remain
proactive to understand how to balance the demand and supply of IT. Taking
accountability of the optimization issue, if managers can track usage patterns
and influence the demand side of IT, they can perhaps with a certain amount of precision predict correctly
the amount of IT required and ask for supply accordingly.
Simplification
– Reducing the complexity in IT
systems can help achieve cost
optimization. But simplification is one area that is never really well
addressed fully. Business processes, practices, leadership, etc. the variables
are too many and make it difficult to achieve.
An IT Audit will serve well to reveal
facts that can help you optimize.