02/04/2026
The AI infrastructure build-out is quietly squeezing IT budgets — and South African SMEs are feeling it hardest. Rising demand for memory, storage and processors is driving up prices and lead times, while a weaker rand adds pressure. Read practical steps your business can take to stay ahead. https://wix.to/PIy4lbI
Key takeaways: inventory planning, hardware alternatives, cloud vs on-prem cost trade-offs, and negotiation tactics.
Server memory up 300% YoY. Enterprise SSDs up 257%. CPUs on 8–12 week lead times. The AI infrastructure race is hitting SME hardware budgets — here's what to do about it.