The Hidden IT Expense Costing Northamptonshire Businesses Thousands
The Subscription Trap
From Netflix to Microsoft 365, everything runs on monthly subscriptions – and your business software is no different. But there’s a silent budget-killer hiding in many Northamptonshire SMEs: shadow IT.
What Is Shadow IT?
Shadow IT happens when employees sign up for software or cloud tools without approval from your IT team – often using a company or personal credit card.
It starts small, but costs snowball fast. For example, one company we worked with discovered 85 Adobe Acrobat subscriptions were active just so staff could edit PDFs – something that could’ve been done for free.
How to Tackle Hidden IT Costs
1. Create a Clear IT Policy
Every business should have a simple policy explaining how new software should be requested and approved. Ask:
- Do we already have a tool that does this?
- Is it secure and compliant?
- Will it actually be used regularly?
2. Involve the Finance Team
Have your finance department regularly review software expenses on staff credit cards and expense claims. Unapproved subscriptions should be flagged and consolidated.
3. Use Web and App Monitoring Tools
Modern IT management tools can automatically track which apps your team uses, highlighting any unapproved ones. This helps your business stay compliant and cost-efficient.
Take Back Control of Your IT Budget
Unchecked software subscriptions could be costing your Northamptonshire business thousands every year.
Want to find and eliminate hidden IT costs? Our local IT experts can help you regain control of your software spending.