How to Justify New Spending in an Era of Tightening IT Budgets
The COVID-19 pandemic has rocked the American economy, and it seems unlikely that we’ve seen the end of rapid shifts in consumer demand this year. As companies look for ways to account for uncertainty in the months ahead, many IT budgets are getting a haircut.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t continue to advocate for the security measures and tools your team needs to support a workforce that’s likely at least still partly remote.
One of the ways to manage your IT budget may be spending on the right tool to help your team manage Apple devices in a remote environment. If you don’t have the ability to ensure that all devices in your environment are in compliance with your security standards, you run a high risk of a costly cybersecurity breach that could damage more than your budget.
No computer is impervious to viruses and malware – read on to find out a proactive approach to Apple device management can help you justify new IT spending on the path to budgetary efficiency, even in times of great uncertainty.
1: Take an Inventory to Start with an Audit of Your Current IT Spend
If you want to truly dig into your IT budget, you’ll need to take a detailed look at the devices you have in your environment and any software installed. If you don’t have a way to do this while some or all of your workforce is working remotely, you’re probably already overspending on software and uncertain about the lifespan of the devices you own.
To take an accurate inventory, you’ll need the help of a mobile device management (MDM) solution. MDM tools empower IT administrators to …
- Improve hardware and software provisioning.
- Extend the life of every machine by proactively monitoring their condition.
- Create a more accurate estimate of the IT budget.
Whether you have one IT admin servicing 50 end users or four supporting 1000, you shouldn’t have to make total guesses when it’s time to revise the IT budget. To better advocate for strong IT, you need the right tools to manage the devices and applications you’ve already got.
2: Weigh the Cost of Apple Device Management Software Against the Potential Cost of a Data Breach
Next, you should calculate how much you’re currently spending to support each device in your environment. This will help you compare your current state to annual cost per machine with the help of any IT solutions you’re considering adding in.
The relative cost of having the right solution on hand to monitor for risks is low: A recent study by Oxford Economics found that the typical monthly cost of an MDM solution was between $3.25 and $9 per device. On the risk side of the equation, many companies leave themselves exposed.
A recent study from the SMB Group found that 70 percent of small to medium-sized businesses don’t use an MDM solution, even though there are SMB-friendly, affordable options.
And for small organizations, the cost of a data breach can be terminal. According to the Ponemon Institute, the average cost per record is at least $148. If you have sensitive data for thousands of clients, this is no small price tag.
The best way to secure your fleet is to ensure that anti-malware and antivirus software is installed and active on your devices, a task that’s impossible without the help of a remote monitoring management tool.
3: Adopt a Proactive Approach to Apple Device Management
If you’re not already positioned to prevent a cybersecurity breach, now is the time to advocate for improving your company’s digital security infrastructure. Perhaps the most compelling argument for adding a line item like an MDM solution to your company’s budget this year is that this is an extraordinary year.
Mac malware is on the rise, and this problem dates back to before the novel coronavirus arrived in North America. Business malware detections increased by 13 percent on business endpoints in 2019.
It’s past time to move your IT team’s approach to security from reactive to proactive. Whether your approach this year requires that you transition onto an Apple device management solution to your IT team or you begin by updating your BCDR plan, we highly recommend you consider the importance of having anti-malware and antivirus software installed on all Mac computers associated with your business.
One of the main motivators for adding applications or software to support your Apple device management efforts should not be fear but preparedness. To protect your digital assets, from wherever your employees are working, you need to have a plan. And having a plan that suits our current climate may require additional investment.
How an MDM Solution Can Make a Difference
A cloud-based MDM solution also enables end users to get the self-service IT support they need, which can help them work more securely. And having the right Apple device management plan for your team can do great things for your company’s bottom line.
As you assess the budget cuts to your IT department and where you can afford to make improvements, look for opportunities to improve your entire team’s operational efficiency. For example, a recent Forrester report found that Mac computers cost $628.31 less than comparable PCs on a per device basis in an enterprise setting when you take three-year support and operational costs into account.
An investment into managing your organization’s Mac computers can contribute to a more cost-efficient operation, even as budgets shrink. Consider how a solution that’s designed to help you do more with less staff involvement can better position your team to respond to end user needs throughout this time of massive change.
