Having visibility into certain Budget Items - even those not always directly covered in your services - can give your clients a more comprehensive and accurate tech budget for 2025. 

Here are some of those overlooked but helpful inclusions:

1. Non-Contracted Software and Licenses

• Shadow IT Costs: Subscriptions or apps used by departments without MSP oversight.
• One-off Software Purchases: These might not recur annually but can add up over time.

2. Third-Party Maintenance and Warranties

• Hardware Maintenance: Contracts or extended warranties for devices like printers or specialized machinery.
• Non-Standard Support Costs: Items not covered by the MSP, such as specialized server or hardware support.

3. Training and Certifications

• Staff Training: Technology related training or certifications, especially for compliance.
• User Adoption Tools: Resources like training sessions or internal tools that boost productivity on existing software

4. Data Storage, Backup and Recovery

• Off-site Backups: Cloud or physical backup solutions not currently covered by managed services
• Compliance Costs: Secure storage or archiving necessary for regulatory purposes.

5. IT Infrastructure for Remote Work and Hybrid Models

• Remote Work Setup and Maintenance: Devices, VPNs, or remote management tools that fall outside of traditional office IT needs
• Workspace IT Needs: Meeting software and digital whiteboards or team collaboration software expenses.

6. Cybersecurity Insurance

• Cyber Insurance Premiums: Often outside standard IT budgets, these premiums are increasingly essential for risk management.

7. End of Life Asset Replacement Costs

• Infrastructure Refreshes: items that might not be immediately due for replacement but will be soon (e.g., servers, network hardware)
• Pre-Planned Upgrades: For applications or hardware that need major updates in the near future