In recent days we've seen a number of signs heralding the so-called “green shoots” of economic recovery:

• The NIESR (National Institute of Economic and Social Research) has estimated that the UK economy resumed growth in April and May
• The Office for National Statistics reported that UK manufacturing output rose by 0.3% in April on the previous month
• Halifax and Nationwide both reported house price increases in May
• The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors reported that new buyer inquiries increased for the seventh month in a row in May – at the fastest rate since 1999

Whilst all of these indicators are good, they may only signify that the pace of decline is slowing... however, this is usually a precursor to the other “R” word – recovery. No matter how you look at it, these indicators are good news for everyone.

Here at hSo we have experienced our own green shoots – the orders that we booked in each of the first five months of 2009 are higher than those from the previous year.

 

 

Yet is all of this enough to get us spending again? Well possibly; many businesses, having made job cuts, could be reluctant to start re-hiring so early. But de-stocking has probably gone as far as it can and production lines across the country and across the world are starting up again. Business leaders are still willing to invest to improve productivity. So how can we do this in IT?

There will not be wholesale replacement of computers or other equipment. This will be driven not only by cost considerations, but by the desire to be green. Rather than replacing like for like, many companies are looking at using newer technologies, such as Virtualisation, to reduce their carbon footprint, save money and increase business continuity.

More and more organisations are considering replacing under-utilised data circuits with SIP Trunking as a way to reduce costs, reduce complexity and increase resilience.

IT can be green – IT doesn’t need to have a throw and replace culture – IT can re-use and combine.

Why not call hSo today to see how we can help your business profit from the green shoots in the economy and be green at the same time.

Chris Evans
Managing Director