IT standardization is a cost cutting IT strategy for keeping hardware consistent, and reducing the number of tools required to do the same functions. Often centralization takes place with standardization. In the centralization process, the IT department is given more responsibility over purchases of hardware and how computers are used by staff members.

Below are 7 tips to help you standardize your company’s IT infrastructure:

Conduct a Software Audit-Determine those OS’ and applications being used by your company. Network management software can perform these audits automatically. After the audit, conduct a skill assessment of your employees. If a few employees use  non-standard software, because they don’t understand how to use the company standard, then do some more training, so everyone’s trained on the standard, and you can end software anomalies.

Assess Your Organization’s Needs-Decide which software features are most important for your business, both now and into the future. Once you’ve found software applications meeting your requirements, investigate the hardware needs and costs of each item to come up with a list of applications you’d like to use centrally across the organization.

Buy in Quantity-Consolidating your purchases and buying items you know you’ll need in quantity is a good way to both standardize and lower your overall hardware and software costs. Manufacturers change their products specs often, and buying in bulk allows you to avoid the dilemma of using non-standardized equipment made by the same manufacturer.

Create Standardization Policies-List your company’s supported hardware and software solutions. Also, add a purchasing policy and an “acceptable use” policy for company computers.

Carefully Consider Donations- If you accept all donations that come your way, you’ll end up with a patchwork system of mismatched equipment. Implementing a written policy about those donations you will and will not accept is a good way to prepare you to make these decisions.

Utilize System Management Software Suites-There are dozens of software packages to help you automate tasks and control configurations on end-user machines. Many of these programs are complex and difficult to implement. But, once set up, they will save you a lot of time and cost.

Consider Hiring a Consultant-An IT infrastructure consultant​ can help you assess your business needs, decide on a set of standardized equipment that will support those needs, support that equipment, and (if they are a reseller) even get your company discounts on hardware and software purchases. If you’re a small business owner with a small IT department, or you would like to focus more on your core business and not IT, a consultant is perfect for you.

These steps are a great start to standardize your organization’s IT infrastructure. Streamlining hardware, software and staff needs will create a more efficient, lower cost, easier to support IT system for your organization, and avoid many of the potential IT pitfalls and headaches for you and your IT staff.

Jason Dick,

Northwest Computer Support