I’m an IT manager for 3 companies (two are DBAs) that has approx 40 employees total. We’ve currently have an “unlimited” budget – If we needed it we could purchase it (within reason). I’m in the process of defining a budget however I’m running into a few issues.
My biggest problem I’m struggling with is what costs from other departments should not be included in the IT budget.
The way I see it, IT costs should only be the cost of keeping the communication and networking infrastructure up and running. All Networking Hardware/Peripherals, Servers, OSes, Telecommunications Equipment, IT Salaries, Training, Developement Software, etc. should be included in the IT Budget.
But what about the rest?
1-Does every PC purchase (Monitors too) fall into the IT budget?
2- Company/Department Sepcific Software:
Two of our three companies have required a purchase of very expensive software. Both have a per month maintenance fee. Should software specific to a department/company be included in the IT budget? i.e. accounting software or the above mentioned software? What about the new hardware it may take to run this software?
3- What about ISP exepenses? I wouldn’t put the long distance/local phone costs into the IT budget why the ISP?
4- What about shared resources such as training room projectors, conference bridges etc. ?
5- Internet subscriptions for various services (non-IT releated) ?
TIA for any suggestions you may have. I know there is a lot of ways to do this but I’d like to get a little feedback of those that have been doing it for a long time. Thanks again.