The end of the year is getting closer, and the holiday season is in full swing. Before roasting chestnuts on an open fire, however, if you’re like many businesses, you’ve got some enviable decisions to make: what to do with your remaining IT budget?

If you’ve received the gift of a budget surplus this year, here are some ways to maximize spend:

1)  Take advantage of accelerated depreciation.

Section 179 of the tax code allows you to deduct the full amount paid for qualifying items up to $1 million—for assets like office hardware and software—in the year of purchase (as of 2018). Now that’s a lot of chestnuts! This tax break can help your dollars go further, so be sure to make the most of your spend, on equipment you need next year and beyond. (Since tax situations are unique for each business, be sure to check with your accountant to make sure this deduction is appropriate for you. We’re IT guys, not Finance guys, after all. 😉 )

2)  Are you getting the most from your ERP (enterprise resource planning) system?

If you’re like most manufacturers we talk to, you probably aren’t. ERP makes data entry easier and less cumbersome, automates processes, and increases inventory accuracy. And Future Link helps make ERP user-friendly, too. If you have budget to burn and don’t yet have an ERP system in place, consider making this investment in upleveling your business’ efficiency and effectiveness. If you already use an ERP system, put some of that surplus toward making sure it’s working as hard as it can for you. Unsure whether ERP is right for you, or if you’re using it to the fullest? Learn more here.

3) Upgrade or replace your office hardware.

Let’s face it, no one wants to wrestle with the same computer or server issues in the new year that they did in this one. If you’ve got excess budget, oftentimes hardware is the best place to put it, as the improved performance of office machinery can boost productivity and even contribute to higher employee morale. As a bonus, you’ll also get more secure infrastructure in the bargain. We can help you evaluate which PC will get you the most productivity gains. NOTE: if this is where you plan to put your excess budget for 2018 – ORDER EARLY. There is currently a processor shortage!

4) Upgrade your Internet Service Provider.

If the monkey on your back this year has been slow or unreliable internet, look at your ISP. Is their network crowded with users and slowing you down? Future Link takes a different approach. We offer broadband internet service that isn’t oversubscribed or overpriced. And, we’re local! Check here to see if we serve your area.

From our family to yours, here’s to a happy holiday, year-end season, complete with cozy fire, roasting chestnuts, and fully maximized budget.

Need a sounding board to walk you through year-end spending? Our team can help you get the biggest bang for your budgetary buck. (Say that ten times fast). Contact us here for a no-obligation chat with one of our IT experts.