As we move into 2025, being strategic and proactive with your IT plan is more important than ever. Your IT strategy should do more than just keep systems running; it should actively support and align with your business goals. Whether you’re focused on scaling, improving efficiency, or enhancing security, the right IT initiatives can make a significant difference.
This blog highlights key IT considerations for a future-ready strategy, helping you identify initiatives that can drive your business’s success in the year ahead.
Lifecycle Management: Device Replacements and Upgrades
For a successful IT approach in 2025, prioritizing device replacements is a crucial step. Equipment nearing the end of service (EOS) or end of life (EOL) can pose performance and security risks. For example, with Windows 10 reaching its EOL in 2025, upgrading to Windows 11 should be a priority. Similarly, older systems like Windows Server 2012 require replacement to enhance performance, improve security, and ensure compatibility with modern applications—helping you avoid unexpected costs.
This is where lifecycle management comes into play. If your business doesn’t have a lifecycle management procedure in place, now is the time to implement one. Lifecycle management provides a structured approach to managing IT systems, applications, and solutions over time. It involves scheduling device replacements based on warranty expirations or EOL dates, helping you maintain an efficient asset management system while minimizing unforeseen costs. With this in place, your lifecycle management tool will automatically guide you on whether to repair or replace a device, saving both time and money in the long run.
Infrastructure Expenditures: Evaluate and Optimize
Each year, businesses should review infrastructure expenditures, such as internet services and service contracts. These costs often increase incrementally, like a cell phone bill, without businesses realizing it. Regular evaluations can identify opportunities to optimize costs, such as finding better pricing or enhanced services.
Proactively optimizing infrastructure expenditures frees up resources for other IT initiatives, improving your business’s efficiency and performance.
Invest in Employee Training
Technology is only as effective as the people using it. If your organization relies on critical systems like ERP or financial software, investing in employee training is essential. Proper training can optimize system use and improve overall efficiency.
Allocate a Contingency Buffer
No matter how well you plan, unexpected IT challenges will arise. Allocate a contingency buffer in your IT budget to cover unplanned expenses, such as emergency hardware replacements or cybersecurity incidents, without disrupting your financial strategy.
Having this buffer ensures that your business can respond quickly to IT issues, maintaining business continuity and minimizing downtime.
Prioritize Cloud-Based Solutions
If your business is still using outdated on-premises systems, now is the time to prioritize a move to the cloud. Cloud platforms offer significant advantages, including improved accessibility, cost-efficiency, and seamless collaboration—especially for remote or hybrid teams.
By prioritizing cloud-based solutions in 2025, your business can improve scalability, enhance performance, and future-proof your IT infrastructure, all while maintaining predictable costs and greater operational efficiency.
Shadow IT and Application Spending Inventory
Shadow IT, applications or tools used by employees without formal approval from the IT department, can quietly drain budgets, pose security risks, and cause inefficiencies. As businesses grow, it’s easy for unauthorized software or redundant tools to slip under the radar, leading to uncontrolled spending and potential compliance issues.
Conducting an application spending inventory helps you identify all software and tools being used across your organization. This includes both approved and unapproved applications. By auditing these tools, you can pinpoint duplicate or underutilized subscriptions, eliminate unnecessary costs, and ensure your IT environment is secure and streamlined.
Taking the time to assess and manage shadow IT and application spending will help your business minimize risks, reduce costs, and align technology investments with overall business goals.
AI Policies: Defining Proper Use
Managing shadow IT naturally leads to another important priority: establishing clear policies around Artificial Intelligence (AI). As AI tools like ChatGPT become more widespread in the workplace, businesses need to set guidelines to ensure these tools are used responsibly, securely, and effectively.
AI can significantly enhance productivity, automate tasks, and improve decision-making, but without proper oversight, it can introduce risks, such as data privacy issues and security vulnerabilities. Creating policies ensures that AI tools align with business goals and comply with regulations. Educating employees on the risks of AI misuse, such as entering customer or confidential data, helps protect sensitive information.
Security: Evaluating and Adapting Annually
Cybersecurity is constantly evolving, and what worked last year may no longer be sufficient to protect your business today. That’s why it’s essential to evaluate your security solutions annually. Are your systems effectively mitigating new and emerging threats? Are they aligned with your current business needs and growth?
By regularly reviewing and updating your security measures, you can close gaps, address vulnerabilities, and ensure your organization is prepared for whatever comes next. These assessments protect sensitive data and reinforce trust with clients and partners.
Aligning IT with Your Business Goals for 2025
Ultimately, as you plan for the year ahead, consider this: Is your IT strategy aligned with your business objectives? Whether you’re looking to scale, improve remote work capabilities, or meet compliance standards, your technology should support these efforts. Set your goals for the coming year and evaluate if your current IT systems are positioned to help you succeed.
At CBIZ, we help ensure your technology strategy aligns with your goals, positioning your business for success in 2025 and beyond. With our expertise and personalized approach, we work with your team to provide tailored solutions that maximize efficiency, security, and scalability, giving you the flexibility to drive growth.
Ready to future-proof your IT strategy? Start planning today and ensure your organization thrives in 2025. Contact us for expert insights and personalized solutions!
