Businesses are being told to cut hardware spending, but many aren’t backing down
Many are spending more to spend less in the long run
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
New research fromMicrosofthas found the huge majority (81%) of ITDMs are planning to increase their commercial hardware budget in the coming year despite an almost equal number of them being subjected to more pressure to cut spend.
The figures, on behalf of the company’s Surface business, come from 150 IT decision-makers from various sectors across the UK, many of whom are planning to invest in premium devices that represent better long-term value for money.
This comes as IT workers collaborate more closely with finance workers as they try to narrow down IT spend and buckle in for further economic uncertainty.
ITDMs are investing in more expensive equipment
On the surface, larger investments sound promising, however they will ultimately lead to reduced spend in the long term. According to Microsoft, the current average workforce laptop lifecycle is 3.2 years, a figure which is expected to increase by up to 2 years for 63% of the study’s respondents.
These are the best mobile workstations around>Cloud spending is on the rise once again as company budgets increase>Cybersecurity is the most common IT expense - but are firms spending enough?
Among the key deciding factors for IT procurement teams are reliability, durability, and suitable specifications such as power, speed, and battery performance.
Around three-quarters (76%) of the questioned ITDMs also believe that buying higher-endbusiness laptopssatisfies workers which in turn helps talent retention. There are also productivity benefits linked to having better-performing hardware, and some workers have indicated that there are fewer security issues, too.
Helping to guide these decisions are the strengthened relationships between IT workers, CFOs, and the broader workforce.
Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
Looking ahead, the industry has already seen a substantial uptick in Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) adoption, and while it trails far behind outright acquisition at the moment, it’s likely to continue growing as businesses reassess how they allocate their cash.
Microsoft UK Head of Surface Commercial, Alan Slothower, said: “Whatever the future holds, the UK’s IT decision makers deserve a pat on the back for how well they are standing up to increased pressure and scrutiny in an uncertain inflationary and economic environment… IT leaders’ ongoing expertise and guidance has never been more important than it is right now.”
With several years’ experience freelancing in tech and automotive circles, Craig’s specific interests lie in technology that is designed to better our lives, including AI and ML, productivity aids, and smart fitness. He is also passionate about cars and the decarbonisation of personal transportation. As an avid bargain-hunter, you can be sure that any deal Craig finds is top value!
LG Electronics sets ambitious B2B revenue goal to offset declining consumer demand
New fanless cooling technology enhances energy efficiency for AI workloads by achieving a 90% reduction in cooling power consumption
Phishing attacks surge in 2024 as cybercriminals adopt AI tools and multi-channel tactics
