As a relatively new manufacturing company, we are struggling to create an IT budget for 2012. Should we invest in IT budgeting software?
Anonymous (Controller)
| Nov 21, 2011Topics:
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Answers
Company: NextEra Energy Resources
Being that you are a new manufacturing company, I would suggest that you create your IT budget in MS Excel if you haven't already attempted to do so. This would keep your initial costs down.
Not every company uses a cookie cutter budget template, but here are a few key categories that you should focus on:
Software Licensing:
- Client Machines
- Server Software
- Client Access Licenses
Hardware:
- Desktop hardware
- Misc Hardware (i.e., server shelving, UPS, etc.)
- Backup hardware (i.e., additional server, tapes, etc.)
- Telecom
- Printers
New Application Servers:
- Domain Controller
- Servers
- Firewall/Internet Protection
Hope this helps.
Company:
Normally I would agree with you, Peter, but I wonder whether this case is different. If the company is a long-term player in mfg, then it may well be worth it to invest in the specific software. I say this as a prior user of similar IT planning software in a past life where the platform was so complete that it made us think of things we would not have thought about otherwise. And while your list above is very helpful, it's also pretty high level and there are more layers to it.
So I would say that if this IT budget (and your IT needs) is core to what you think you should be doing as a company, you should at a minimum take a look at what's out there and do an "in your head" ROI on the investment. Following a thorough outline that someone else (who really knows what they are doing) has laid out can be very helpful.