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Recently, TulsaToday.com, a local news service, reported downsizing for the city of Tulsa. In a story entitled “Budget Woes Continue: Job Cuts, Reduced Services,” the story outlined what is an all-to-familiar plight that echoes businesses of all sizes and government agencies across the country.

“The city of Tulsa will lay off about 35 employees and abolish another 15 or so positions in an effort to meet a projected $6 million shortfall for this fiscal year, according to budget documents. Almost all training and travel, computer upgrades, various safety equipment and other purchases are being deferred and most unfilled positions will remain so under the proposal.”

Pick up practically any newspaper this week and you'll find similar stories that might even depict what's taking place in your own organization right now. To overstate the obvious: money is tight. While budget reductions sound very cut and dried on the surface, what happens within most IT departments behind the scenes can be counterproductive to say the least.

Saving Money to Waste Money?

With the city of Tulsa, the Technology department cuts will affect computers, software and consulting as well as computer maintenance and upgrades. So what does the future hold? We can only speculate. But if the city of Tulsa is like most businesses this will be the start of a very wasteful money-saving effort.

Computers are the very core of virtually every department in every organization large or small. From simple customer database management to elaborate and highly sensitive security protocols, computers sort data for the Post Office, automate processes for manufacturing plants, sustain life for medical patients and everything in between. When IT cuts involve the reduction of software upgrades, maintenance and security, you might as well hang a sign welcoming hackers, cyber thieves and conmen to wreck havoc on every department in your business.

With the reduction of staff and resources, computer maintenance becomes less and less of a priority. As updates and upgrades lapse, your risk of data theft, virus or malware attacks, and unauthorized system access will increase. Once compromised, the damage to your information, your systems and your reputation as well as your clients' sensitive data (and any lawsuits that might come as a result) can far outweigh the cost of keeping IT up to date.

A Solution to the IT Budget Crunch

Still, when you have to cut funds, they must come from somewhere. What is the solution to cutting budgets without shooting yourself in the foot with the consequences later on? In a word: automation.

For less than the salary of one mid-level network engineer or system administrator, you can automate your mundane, but all-important IT maintenance tasks. Software upgrades, security updates, antivirus patches and more can run uninterrupted 24/7/365. Set it and forget it, so to speak.

Because these systems are automated and also allow for remote access; labor-intensive, hands-on time is significantly reduced. That means the cost associated with these tasks is also reduced. Productivity and security go up while downtime, computer security risks and budgetary requirements go down.

What to Look for in an Automated IT Solution

Many companies offer solutions that will automate these critical IT support tasks. As you look to select one that is right for you, key points to consider are:

• Ease of Installation. Ideally, the solution should be easy to install within your current IT environment. It should not require time-consuming reconfigurations of hardware or software; or the purchase of new equipment. The solution should not disrupt or impact any of your existing software programs.
• Functional Capabilities. Some solutions are limited to certain software updates and remote monitoring. Others provide far greater functionality to include antivirus management, automated remote backup, software deployment and help desk services. Obviously, you want a solution that provides the best value for your money.
• Availability of Human Technical Support. In the event that you encounter difficulties with the automation tools, you’ll want prompt technical support. Can you simply pick up the phone? Or are you forced to fill out a web form and wait for support staff to answer your plea? Before choosing an option, you'll want to fully understand and agree with the provider's policies and procedures for support.

Budget cuts don't have to spell disaster for your company and your clients. By implementing a quality, automated solution, you can easily maintain security protocols and allow for the IT department to operate as close to “business as usual” as possible.