Preparing a Technology Budget
Preparing a Technology Budget
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
Preparing a Technology Budget - To learn more about this author, visit Steven G. Atkinson's Website.
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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
Preparing a Technology Budget - To learn more about this author, visit Steven G. Atkinson's Website.
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John BrennanJohn Brennan Ed.D. Dr. Brennan is President of Interpersonal Development, LLC, a training and development firm. Interpersonal Development has provided sales training and coaching to more than 3,000 sales reps from over 100 companies. A native of Australia, Dr. Brennan received his doctorate from the University of Rochester. His dissertation researched the effectiveness of Behavioral Modeling Technology in training people in interpersonal skills. While he has spent most of his career designing or delivering training, he was also a Vice-President of Sales of a training and development franchise with operations in 25 markets. Dr. Brennan has designed and delivered sales training in North America, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. He has been a guest speaker at numerous national and regional professional conferences. When Microsoft wanted Best Practices articles on sales for their web site, they called Dr. Brennan. The results are at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX011387391033.aspx His firms clients have included Volvo, The Prudential, Merrill Lynch, Eastman Kodak, Gannett, Equifax Europe, the Economist Group and countless small businesses. - Visit John Brennan's Website |
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