Cost-saving IT solutions: a new wave of profit for Latin American business

Latin Trade, May, 2004

Enterprises throughout Latin America are beginning to refresh their IT systems because many have realized they are vulnerable to security attacks if they do not.

"Maintenance costs also increase when systems are not refreshed and are more than three years old," Sandoval said. "Companies pay more for maintenance and support for heavy databases. Old operating bases cause more service calls and calls to the help desk, resulting in increased overall exposure to more hidden costs."

Intel, which has supplied microprocessors and other computer system building blocks to the computer industry for more than 35 years, is currently helping businesses in the region create strategies for growth using cutting-edge information technology.

"IT should help companies compete in their marketplaces and to bring their products closer to customers and promote greater customer satisfaction. If businesses have systems that do those things, their cost effectiveness will be built in," Sandoval said. "IT must link key business processes. By not effectively linking the processes, IT costs may be perceived as lower, but the opportunity cost in lost business is actually quite high."

Another IT trend that Intel is helping companies take advantage of is usage mobility: the capability to use wireless equipment--such as mobile computers and PDAs--to conduct business while mobile.

"Many companies are now benefiting from this technology because it means that their business can be conducted anywhere at any time--helping employees work more productively," he said. "The fact that there are many business applications that are optimal for mobile usage has made the movement toward it grow quickly."

Using the systems, businesses can work online or offline to provide customer service more quickly and at higher quality standards with less room for error. Field forces of companies can be more effective.

"Usage mobility is a real opportunity to impact productivity and growth and to be more cost effective at the same time," Sandoval said.