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Software options for Businesses in South Africa

When you do a cost-benefit analysis to determine how to get your software, it is imperative that your review is both comprehensive and long-term in scope. The true cost is in factors that might not come immediately to mind.

Let us examine the hidden costs in the traditional route of purchasing individual licenses for the software you use.

Buying software outright is not as appealing as it used to be for several good reasons.

Missing Updates

Software Developers have accelerated the schedule on which they release major updates; meaning software becomes out-of-date quicker. This shortened time schedule means that the software you invest in could become out-of-date within 12-24 months. Purchasing additional pricey plans to include updates for a certain amount of time, only benefits you if the updates are released within that time limit, which is not guaranteed. Operating with outdated software means the loss of technical support, increased glitches, and security concerns. It also means you do not benefit from the best new features.

Can you afford to be out-of-date with software updates?

Additionally, installing updates takes time, if installation brings any hiccups your company may have to go off-line which will cost both time and money.

Legal Use Quagmire

While traditional private licensing is often thought of as purchasing software outright, it is not. Just like with SaaS, you are in fact purchasing limited-use rights. These rights contain legal restrictions on use. Keeping track of and ensuring that your use is within the legal scope can be complicated and tedious. If a software company audits your business and you are found to be in error, you then become subject to costly fines.

Maintenance Hassles

How much time do you spend creating new user profiles and bringing new clients or employees online? These can be time consuming tasks which hamper productivity. An SPLA with System 5 can ensure that your system is ready to go when you are!

System and Data Security

How seriously do you protect your company’s data as an asset? How secure is your server? What recovery systems do you have in place for your data recovery and backup? The impetus in traditional in-house systems is on your company to build, provide, and maintain these. If you do not have protective systems in place you are risking time off-line and the loss of valuable information; both of which carry negative financial implications.

Cost of Tech Support

How much does in-house or contracted IT support cost your company annually? How responsive are they when you experience technical difficulties? Does their slow or lacklustre response times cost keep you offline & irritated? Click here for Predicable Availability powered by System 5.

Inherent Risks

If hardware acts up, installations get botched, or problems occur during maintenance - you carry the full risks of the cost, loss of productivity, loss of business, compromised security and data recovery. There is another risk, you may end up spending more than necessary - & that is why we offer SaaS [link to SaaS article].

It’s time to level-up, contact System 5 today.