IT budgets are finite.   In fact, the past year has decreased or eliminated many budgets, both at home and in the office.  Since this is a work related blog for an IT related company, I will relegate the discussion to IT infrastructure.  That being said, money is money and the dynamics are the same.  At work, a budget reduction forces one to reconsider whether or not an infrastructure related project is even possible.   At home, when things are tight, we find ways to get the same for less.   Craigslist, eBay, coupons, etc. all come into play when needed.    Sell something you don’t need and use the money to buy something you do, for as little as possible.  Pretty simple stuff.   For an IT infrastructure, creative sourcing may require a little more scrutiny.    Nobody wants to put their neck in the noose.  You really can’t blame someone for being leery of purchasing their IT in a similar way.    IT infrastructures are critical and making the wrong call to save money can be a career altering experience.

This all sounds scary, right?  In fact, it sounds like if your IT infrastructure project costs more than you have budget for, you are (insert expletive).   The good news is there are safe alternatives to meet that budget.    The old saying “no one ever got fired for buying IBM” is for complete morons (IBM really does make fine equipment).  To clarify – Don’t just blindly buy what your IT rep tells you.  Their sole purpose in life is to get you to continue purchasing their latest generation.  Rather, boil down your IT infrastructure project to the basics.  What is needed? – Speeds, Feeds, Storage, etc.   The right hardware solution is the right solution, period.

Guess what?   The owner of your business/budget does not care if magic fairies build and ship the IT your company needs for its project.  They lean on you to get it the right solution, at the right price, at the right time.   You only get fired if the hardware solution you choose does not work or does not get there in time… or both.

I have been a moron once or twice.   Even outside of IT hardware purchases.   That is all behind me now.  I think I have it down.   Here is a 3-Step plan…

1. Sell the IT you don’t need NOW.   IT tends to depreciate.  Sell it while it still has value and you can use those dollars for what you need right now.
2. Find a used solution or factory sealed solution that fits the config you need.   I once bought a $1.2M storage solution at a substantial discount off list.   I was sooo smart.   It took one month to get to us and depreciated nearly in half the day we turned it on.    My current company ships similar refurb solutions, same day, at less than half the price.  They work the same.  The SLA is the same…   I like to think of that purchase as a learning experience.  Very character building.
3. When you do step #2… MAKE SURE YOUR PURCHASE IS FROM A REPUTABLE COMPANY THAT OFFERS YOU THE SUPPORT YOU NEED.  Again, nobody cares where or what you buy, as long as it does what it needs to and the SLA keeps the equipment running and serviced as needed.   (Disclaimer – This last statement does not apply if you are  “IT macho” and feel it necessary to show off to your IT friends)