When Global Trade Hits Home: What It Means for Your IT

In today’s globally connected world, trade policies don’t just impact large importers or manufacturers. They also ripple through industries in subtle, unexpected ways. One area where these ripples can cause real disruption? Your IT support.
At Open Approach, we keep an eye on the bigger picture, so our clients don’t have to stress over every headline. When tariffs or supply chain disruptions hit, we help you adapt without missing a beat.

Here’s what you need to know, and how we help keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.

Tariffs, Supply Chains, and the Tech You Rely On

Tariffs are taxes placed on imported goods, often used as tools in trade negotiations. While they’re intended to encourage domestic production, the immediate effect is usually an increase in prices for goods brought in from abroad.
While fully assembled computers and smartphones are currently exempt from the latest round of tariffs (as of April 2025), key tech components like semiconductors and networking equipment remain at risk, and additional tariffs are expected.  That uncertainty alone is enough to impact pricing and timelines. Firewalls, switches, servers, storage—when those components get held up in transit or spike in price, your projects feel the impact. Add in ongoing logistical challenges, geopolitical tensions, and persistent component shortages, and it becomes clear that IT supply chains aren’t as steady as they once were.

Note: As of April 2025, computers and smartphones are temporarily exempt from new tariffs, but component-level impacts and future changes are expected. We’re monitoring closely and helping our clients stay ahead of potential disruption.

What It Means for Your Business

Even a single delay in hardware delivery can ripple through your operations. Here’s how:

• Higher costs for critical equipment like firewalls, switches, servers, etc.
• Longer lead times, sometimes stretching into weeks or months.
• Supply shortages that leave you stuck with aging or underperforming tech.
• Delayed service delivery and slower onboarding during periods of growth.

It’s more than just an inconvenience—it can slow your momentum.

What It Means for IT Support Providers

An unstable supply chain makes it harder for internal IT teams and Managed Service Providers (MSP) alike to stay on track. Whether planning a rollout, replacing failed hardware, or scaling for growth, availability matters.

At Open Approach, we’ve seen how a delayed shipment or unexpected price increase can throw off a carefully planned timeline. That’s why we build flexibility into everything we do. No scrambling, no shortcuts, just smart, forward-thinking support.

How We Help You Stay Ahead

We’re not just here to react, we’re here to plan with you. Here’s how we help our clients stay steady, even when the global landscape isn’t:

• Vendor Diversification: We source from a range of reliable partners to reduce risk and avoid single points of failure.
• Proactive Planning: We anticipate and build future hardware needs into your roadmap, so you’re never caught off guard.
• Cloud-First Approach: We recommend cloud-based solutions where it makes sense, cutting down on lead times and making your environment more flexible.

What You Can Do Now

If you’re wondering how to protect your business from IT supply chain uncertainty, a few steps go a long way:

• Plan ahead for hardware replacements. Don’t wait for things to break.
• Keep some wiggle room in your IT budget to account for rising costs.
• Choose a strategic partner that pays attention to trends and helps you stay one step ahead.
• Look to the cloud for scalable, flexible solutions that don’t rely on physical shipments.

Let’s Keep You Moving

Tariffs and supply chain issues aren’t going away, but they don’t have to slow you down. With the right IT partner, you can adapt, stay on schedule, and keep growing. If you’re searching for expert Vermont IT support, our team is ready to meet your business where it is—and help it grow.

Want to talk through your hardware plans or make sure your IT roadmap is resilient? We’re here for it. Let’s connect.