All modern businesses require IT to operate, but convincing those businesses to jump on board with the latest tech isn’t always straightforward. If you’re a small business MSP, you will likely have clients worried about major capital expenditure (CapEx), tying up cash in new hardware that could be deployed elsewhere.
Shifting these costs to the operational expenditure (OpEx) column through an “as a service” model, however, allows you to simplify lifecycle management for your clients, and free up spend to focus on wider strategy and transformation projects to grow the business.
From CapEx to OpEx
CapEx can be a real dilemma for small businesses, especially in times of uncertainty. On the one hand, it is even more important for organisations to adapt and keep up-to-date in times of disruption – flexibility is key, and a company stuck with old hardware may get left behind. On the other hand, it’s natural for companies to tighten the purse strings when the road ahead looks bumpy and unpredictable – big investments can start to look like more of a risk than an opportunity.
The solution for many organisations is to use an operating model such as PC as a service (PCaaS), which crucially shifts the costs to OpEx with a financing plan. Rather than paying the significant upfront cost, businesses can pay in instalments over an agreed period. For small businesses, this can make an otherwise impossible investment affordable.
Dell’s PCaaS, for example, offers flexible finance options and a predictable price per seat per month. Not only does this spread out the costs for businesses who may have to be careful with their investments at the moment, but the predictable costs also make the service easy to factor into the monthly budget.
Offering crucial IT support
However, it’s not just about costs. Small businesses can struggle to find the resources needed to manage a full hardware refresh and, as a result, may be put off making a change that could be the difference between sinking or swimming in the current climate.
When your clients’ IT team is already swamped ensuring everything runs smoothly in the cloud and remote workers get the support they need, adding in the momentous task of switching to new hardware simply might not be possible without help. Some small businesses might not even have a dedicated IT team, meaning that other employees have to take responsibility for this. Not only does this take them away from their actual jobs, they may not have the skills and training to ensure everything runs smoothly and is compliant.
As a service models are more than finance plans – they offer IT support as a service as well, providing a complete hardware management package. For instance, replacement of faulty or damaged devices, inventory management, and compliance reports are often all part of the deal. The provider may even handle tedious, time-consuming tasks like access requests and password assistance for your client, freeing up time and resources to focus on more important tasks such as planning and development. Dell’s PCaaS, for example, combines hardware, software, lifecycle services and financing in one solution.
If you’re an IT consultant or MSP looking for a way to help give extra support to your small business clients, you might want to consider the new Dell Expert Network. As a member of the network, you can give your clients a range of time-saving tools and benefits, including quick, reliable support through TechDirect, where they can get reporting on their devices, log support tickets and order replacement parts. Network membership also includes access to finance options, a dedicated account manager to deal with enquiries, and you can earn 3% back on purchases made by your clients.
Providing the latest (and right) tech
One of the big downsides of buying a new fleet of devices outright is the commitment. Organisations may feel that they need to make the most of their investment by keeping them around as long as possible – which is often far longer than they should. Instead of having access to the latest technology, they are often stuck with machines that just about do the job, and may not have the support to ensure their hardware is updated and secure.
Then there’s the concern that business practices may change and negate the need for certain devices, leaving companies with expensive equipment they don’t want and can’t easily dispose of. Right now, flexibility is especially important. Many companies are trialling new long-term ways of working which require a different fleet of devices, such as more enterprise laptops and tablets for remote working. Having the right devices to support preferred working arrangements is also hugely important for employee satisfaction and productivity.
PCaaS offers a flexible solution, with the option to choose a tailored range of devices that work for your client, and the opportunity to change these or scale the service up and down as that company evolves. The provider will take responsibility for keeping these up-to-date, refreshing hardware and often software too. This means organisations can focus on what works best for their business, rather than worrying about making the most of big investments.
Another big benefit of having access to the latest hardware and software from one provider is security. With the majority of modern organisations conducting business online, top-notch security has never been more important. Cyber-crime is on the rise, and remote workforces can be much harder to manage securely. New devices are built to complement the latest in security technology, such as biometric recognition, which older devices simply can’t do. Your provider may also provide security software and reporting as part of the package, so your clients can rest assured that they have uniform security across the entire fleet, and the support of the experts who know exactly how to manage it.
While the initial financial solution might be the reason your clients decide to go with PCaaS, the long-term impact can be far more wide-reaching. With PCaaS, your clients can stop worrying about lifecycle management and focus on what they do best.
