In an increasingly dynamic and competitive business environment, optimizing IT costs has become essential to ensure efficiency and financial sustainability. According to the 33rd survey on IT use in companies, conducted by the Center for Applied Information Technology at the São Paulo School of Business Administration of Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV EAESP), technology expenses and investments in Brazil reached, on average, 8.7% of companies' revenue in 2021. This percentage has increased by 6% annually over the past 34 years and highlights the importance of effective strategies to optimize IT costs and ensure operational efficiency and competitiveness of companies.
"The first step to optimize costs is to map all IT department expenses, both recurring and one-time. It is essential to understand where the money is going in order to create a strategic plan that includes consumption, unforeseen events, tools, technology, and professional allocation," emphasizes Adriano Ignatti, account executive at the technology and innovation company Gateware.
According to the professional, the most common mistake companies make is not anticipating changes in the budget, which can lead to significant financial impacts. "Many entrepreneurs only calculate the exact value of the project and do not set aside a margin for unforeseen events. Continuous monitoring and time management are critical factors to avoid unwanted surprises."
Outsourcing as an optimization strategy
The allocation of IT professionals (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 is more worthwhile to hire a temporary specialist than to invest in training an internal professional just for a one-time project," explains Ignatti. Furthermore, outsourcing allows for scalability and flexibility, enabling team adjustments according to demand, as it functions as a form of outsourcing.
Gateware offers a comprehensive professional placement service, ensuring that clients have access to qualified talents who are up-to-date with the latest technological trends. "Our diferencial lies in the rigorous talent curation and post-hiring follow-up, ensuring that the allocated professionals are aligned with the client's expectations," emphasizes the executive.
Advantages of the Cloud
Another essential point for cost reduction in IT is the intelligent use of technology. Migration to the cloud, for example, can be a viable alternative for companies seeking scalability and agility. "The cloud brings flexibility, but requires strict control to avoid waste from excessive storage and lack of monitoring," warns Adriano.
Netflix, one of the pioneers in streaming video service, 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, the rapid technological evolution also poses challenges for companies, which often struggle to keep their internal teams constantly updated. " Outsourcing specialists allows companies to keep up with changes without constantly investing in internal training," he/she/they emphasizes.
With IT cost optimization, the company can reduce its expenses, increase its efficiency, and drive its growth, generating more value for the business. "The secret to optimizing these costs lies in a well-structured plan, with efficient control tools. Continuous monitoring prevents waste and ensures that investments are directed toward what truly adds value to the business," concludes Adriano Ignatti.