When preparing a budget on new technology its important to look at everything that is needed within the project. Sometimes the proposal that is received from a vendor is only one piece of the entire project. It may even be just a small part of the overall budgetary amount.
When looking over the total cost of a project, those cost can be put into one of three categories. Those are one-time cost, annual operation expense, and additional support services.
The following are some things to consider when putting together a technology budget.
Hardware If purchasing new software is the current hardware adequate or is will new hardware need to be acquired?
Integration Is the new technology a stand-alone item?
Will it need to be integrated into other current installed hardware or with existing software?
Even its not being integrated into existing hardware or software, it is being incorporated in the way the company does business.
Who is going to be doing the integration and what is that cost?
Site Preparation Are changes going to be needed in the physical location of the new technology?
Is new or additional furniture needed?
Is the electrical or telecommunication infrastructure adequate?
Is the environmental system?
Training What is included in the training package?
Who gets trained?
How many?
How much time will be allocated?
Where will the training take place?
Documentation Are you getting any?
What is included? Installation manuals? Operational manuals? User guides?
It may be of benefit to have a user guide created specifically for the company and those costs would need to be included.
Additional required products Are any pre-existing hardware or software needed prior to installation?
Does pre-existing hardware meet the new software requirements?
Are upgrades or current hardware or software needed?
Installation Who is doing the installation?
Are the costs in the proposal?
Cost for after installation changes and modifications?
Are other support people needed? Do they need to be on-site or on-call or would telephone support be enough?
After Installation Support What kind of support is offered after installation?
When is the support available? 24/7? 40/5?
Response time?
How much free support, how long and how much?
Annual fees Are there recurring annual software licensing or maintenance fees?
Is there a termination policy on maintenance contracts with an out clause?
Who can cancel contracts and time frame to do so?
These are just some of many items that may need to be evaluated when doing a technology budget.
© 2007 Steven G. Atkinson All Rights Reserved - Technology Tips for Small Business
Preparing a Technology Budget - To learn more about this author, visit Steven G. Atkinson's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
 |
Related Articles |
|
 Preparing a Technology Budget
|
| |
When preparing a budget on new technology its important to look at everything that is needed within the project. Sometimes the proposal that is received from a vendor is only one small piece of the entire project.
...
|
|
Making the Most of AV Presentation for PR
|
| |
Public relations can be about addressing relatively small groups of people. Sometimes this is to educate and inform or perhaps to persuade. Visual presentation has moved a long way from just flip charts and OHPs....
|
|
Should you Reveal your Pricing?
|
| |
Many businesses are afraid of the competition finding out their pricing, and keep rates hidden. The problem is, they waste a lot of time preparing quotations for customers that just aren't serious buyers, who mere...
|
|
MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVE NOT DOLLARS
|
| |
Budgeting your communications to achieve your goals, your objectives.
|
|
How to Handle the Budget Objection
|
| |
One of the major objections people get when they are prospecting by phone is that the prospect has no more budget to buy what you are suggesting. You must be prepared with an answer as this is going to come up over...
|
|
|
Steven G. Atkinson's
Complete
List Of
Technology
Articles
|
|
|
If you enjoyed this article, get Steven G. Atkinson's Complete List of Technology Articles For FREE!
|
| |
|
|
|
![[Get Copyright Permissions]](http://license.icopyright.net/images/icopy-w.gif){kind=small}
