In an increasingly dynamic and competitive business scenario, optimizing IT costs has become essential to ensure efficiency and financial sustainability. According to the 33rd survey on IT usage in companies, conducted by the Applied Information Technology Center of the Fundação Getúlio Vargas São Paulo School of Business Administration (FGV EAESP), technology spending and investments in Brazil reached, on average, 8.7% of companies’ revenue in 2021. This percentage has grown 6% annually over the last 34 years and highlights the importance of effective strategies to optimize IT costs and ensure operational efficiency and competitiveness for companies.
“The first step to optimizing costs is mapping all IT expenses, both recurring and one-time. It’s essential to understand where the money is going to create a strategic plan that includes consumption, unforeseen events, tools, technology, and personnel allocation,” emphasizes Adriano Ignatti, account executive at technology and innovation company Gateware.
According to the professional, the most common mistake companies make is not anticipating budget changes, which can lead to significant financial impacts. “Many business owners calculate only the exact project cost and don’t reserve a margin for unforeseen events. Continuous monitoring and time management are critical factors to avoid unwanted surprises.”
Outsourcing as an optimization strategy
IT personnel allocation (outsourcing) emerges as a strategic solution for companies that need specialists but without the costs and challenges of maintaining a highly skilled internal team. “In many cases, it’s more cost-effective to hire a temporary specialist than to invest in training an internal professional just for a one-time project,” explains Ignatti. “Additionally, outsourcing allows scalability and flexibility, enabling team adjustments according to demand, as it functions like a third-party service.”
Gateware offers a comprehensive personnel allocation service, ensuring clients have access to qualified talent updated with the latest technological trends. “Our differentiation lies in rigorous talent curation and post-hiring follow-up, ensuring allocated professionals align with client expectations,” emphasizes the executive.
Cloud Advantages
Another essential point for reducing IT costs is the intelligent use of technology. Migrating to the cloud, for example, can be a viable alternative for companies seeking scalability and agility. “The cloud offers flexibility but requires strict control to avoid waste from excessive storage and lack of monitoring,” warns Adriano.
Netflix, one of the pioneers in video streaming services, for example, managed to reduce about 60% of its infrastructure costs by moving its operations to Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud platform in 2016. This change not only enabled Netflix to expand its capacity but also improved its availability and security.
However, rapid technological evolution also poses challenges for companies, which often struggle to keep their internal teams updated. “Outsourcing specialists allows companies to keep up with changes without constantly investing in internal training,” he reinforces.
With IT cost optimization, companies can reduce expenses, increase efficiency, and drive growth, generating more business value. “The secret to optimizing these costs lies in well-structured planning with efficient control tools. Continuous monitoring prevents waste and ensures investments are directed toward what truly adds value to the business,” concludes Adriano Ignatti.
