CTOs, IT managers and founders of start-ups and SMEs deal with a range of stakeholders every day – from founders and employees to clients and suppliers. Finding the right solutions on a limited budget can be challenging – particularly if your organisation doesn’t realise the difficulties of implementing technology. Alongside this, so-called ‘Big Tech’ suppliers often put roadblocks in the way of SMEs accessing the services they need. These range from prohibitive pricing models to lengthy contracts.

Why is technology so expensive for small businesses?

No business wants to see their budget being drained, least of all at the beginning of their lifecycle. Why, then, can technology be so expensive for SMEs?

Start-ups and small businesses, regardless of how eager they are to grow, can be onerous for larger tech companies. Companies at the beginning of their journey might, understandably, need guidance – from hands-on troubleshooting to scalability advice and simplified onboarding processes. More than that, they need tailored support which fits their individual situations – not just a one-size-fits-all solution. A tech start-up with five people on the payroll doesn’t need an enterprise-grade solution in order to work remotely; but they do need a trusted advisor who understands their situation.

‘Big Tech’ companies might not be prepared to provide such bespoke levels of support, instead leading businesses to an off the shelf package which is meant for corporates with large in-house teams. IT management teams find themselves facing a stark choice – buy in or be excluded from the latest technologies. This creates a downward spiral: the business who cannot access affordable cloud solutions misses out on scalability and efficiency and finds their growth and competitive advantage is stunted.

Desktop as a Service

One way to cut costs is to minimise the use of on-premises hardware through a virtual desktop. Desktop as a Service (also called DaaS) provides virtual desktops to users over the internet. These desktops can be accessed from anywhere, allowing for remote working – providing employees with more flexibility – and allow for scalability and enhanced security through centralised storage.

DaaS is also ideal for temporary set ups – such as projects which only run for a few months at a time – and short-term contracts. It allows for costs to be cut back, as the need for hardware and IT infrastructure is lessened or, in some cases, removed completely. Using DaaS also offloads issues like troubleshooting to the service providers, rather than the IT managers and technical leads.

However, while Desktop as a Service appeals to many businesses and suits their models, pricing structures can often be prohibitive for SMEs. Smaller businesses, including providers, could face higher user-licensing fees, minimum seat requirements and unexpected costs for bandwidth and support. Alongside these issues, businesses could be presented with burdensome subscription fees, add-ons for premium features and data storage charges.

While these are expenses which can be subsumed by larger corporations who may make millions in turnover, they add to the strain for innovators, start-ups and SMEs who are simply trying to stay in the black.

With enterprise needs at the heart of the ‘Big Tech’ offering to the market, smaller businesses are left wanting – either overpaying for services they don’t need or won’t use or having to go without them altogether. All of this means that while DaaS has the potential to reduce maintenance and hardware costs without having to use costly onsite infrastructure, the service can be unachievable for many.

Finding the right DaaS solution for your business

Running an SME is challenging enough without being faced with high technology costs. Businesses need to be able to unlock scalability with ease, quickly and without hassle. While ‘Big Tech’ places barriers in the way, smart businesses are turning to DaaS providers who “get” them. Providers who know the difficulties with starting out and maintaining momentum, and that each SME is unique. These providers find innovative solutions for innovative businesses, with flexible pricing, down-to-earth features and human support when you need it most. They know you don’t need steep learning curves just to get your business up and running – but a trusted advisor who understands you and your budget to harness the power of the cloud in a modern, changing world.