By Mark Shaw
Although it’s the end of 2021, it seems like 2020 all over again, right? Well, this year will have some new challenges.
Don’t let the last quarter of the year leave your business unprepared for growth and support. There are things you can do now to ensure that in the world of technology you are not left out in the cold come December.
During this time of the year, budgets are being built and the last of the year spends are getting planned out. In a perfect world, companies would finalize those purchases in late November or early December, just in time to get the hardware, software, or service in play and being used before Jan. 1. Every business I know, StoredTech included, finds those final hour purchases to help with business financials.
In 2021, with the supply chain tightened and stretched in some areas, a wait-and-see approach cannot be taken.
Right now, chip shortages with car makers are the most visible to the public. The dealership lots are filled with many empty spaces. Go to your local grocery store, or even Walmart, these gaps in the shelves and lack of variety is now commonplace. Years ago, shelf space was at a premium and brands would pay extra to be at eye level. Now retailers are just trying to fill the shelves.
Although, it may seem normal to pick up alternative items when grocery shopping for your family, there are more consequential results when it comes to your business and how it can be impacted. The lack of materials visible in supermarkets, are visible in business technology as well.
Tech hardware is back ordered, slow to arrive, and ship dates keep being missed. The more ‘unique’ the hardware, the harder it is to find.
For example, a high-end Dell server we ordered for a client in July has a Dec. 25 ship date. That cool laptop that converts to a tablet, with a touch screen, and maxed out specs? Order now and maybe it will arrive by years end. The supply market is so tight, we see common items shipped first, smaller quantities ship quicker, and larger more sophisticated orders ship last, if at all.
What can you do to make sure you have the technology to run your business well into 2022, handle any last-minute capital spends, and not be pushed until the unknown future? Act now.
Factor in the longer lead times, move your purchasing up sooner than expected, pick models that are likely in stock, and if possible be ready to accept an alternative if the items you want are unavailable.
If you are looking for year-end purchases, buy now, don’t delay. Supplies truly are limited.