Many feel we are already in a recession, others are a bit more optimistic.   Numerous economic indicators are signaling for an impending recession--the mortgage crisis, gas prices, unemployment rates, the stock market, Consumer Confidence indexes, among others.  No doubt about it, the signs of a slowing economy are everywhere.
 
How can Information Technologies do its part in controlling costs and protecting your business?  Many IT departments are seen as an expense to a company and many larger projects can be put on hold.  While a reactionary mode may be first instinct, that attitude can expose the company to security threats and downtime.  A proactive approach is best to control costs.
 
Technology can be leveraged to improve employee efficiency.  Employees that can do more with less are an excellent proposition.  Empowering technologies such as wireless, unified messaging and mobility can increase employee productivity.
 
But there is more that IT can do to align itself with cost controlling efforts.
 
-          Eliminate Downtime - Downtime can be painful and dangerous in good economic environment, but devastating in an economic downturn.  System monitoring can help prevent downtime and provide predictable uptime, and extend hardware lifecycles for all aspects of a Network.
 
-          Security - Mitigating risk and exposure is another way insuring uptime, promoting service availability to your employees, and maintaining customer confidence.
 
-          Outsourcing – Many Companies tend to freeze hiring, and look internally to improve efficiency.  Out sourcing can provide a great Technical depth, effective and rapid issue resolution while controlling costs.
 
-          Server Consolidation – Keeping aging servers can affect performance, be cause for increased administration, increased risk of downtime, increase power consumption, heating and cooling costs and limiting software platform changes.  Consolidating servers, through Virtualization can provide a rapid return on investment.
 
-          Telco Reviews – Due to market pressures Telecom costs continue to fall.  If a contract is even a couple years old it can likely be renegotiated for significant savings.  Line or circuit consolidating can also help save money.  A good telecom audit can usually produce significant savings with no out-of-pocket expense.
 
-          Automated Maintenance such as patch management, and Antivirus updates can minimize IT tasks and further insure uptime.
 
-          Making the Most -  Many tools and features exist in hardware and software platforms that don’t get fully utilized.  Implementing tools can help make IT more effective by completely leverage existing investments.
 
 
Many argue that a slow economy is the best time to implement new technologies, as long as there is a good value proposition to support it.   Any new initiatives must have a rapid return on investment.  
 
In a time of economic uncertainty, it is critical to do what you can to control costs and protect your business.  DRS can provide numerous tools and services to assist your cost controlling efforts.  Discuss the possibilities with your Account Executive and begin leveraging your technology today!