With the breakneck speed of technological innovation these days, it’s pretty easy to fall behind. Efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness are driven by intelligence, but dedication and ‘Good Old Yankee Know-How,’ technology plays a more pivotal role every year. Technology is only a tool and cannot replace a steady hand at the helm. The wise CEO recognizes the value of technology and how to use it to their advantage.
Technology modernization for the workforce is both an opportunity and a challenge for Small and Mid-size Businesses (SMBs) with limited resources. The judicial use of technology can make a small enterprise seem bigger, but without the proper guidance and implementation, it can run the risk of becoming unwieldy.
When they opt to embrace it, modern technology can greatly empower small businesses, giving them a distinct competitive edge and helping them thrive in this digital era. The fly in the ointment is that many SMBs don’t keep up with technological modernization. For example, according to Spiceworks, over 30% of small businesses haven’t upgraded systems in 4+ years.
Why don’t SMBs upgrade their tech? Here are a few of the reasons:
Limited available funds
Unsure how to modernize technology
Stuck in the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality
More companies are seeing the benefits of upgrading their technology. One study found the following: 54% of companies plan to increase spending on Generative AI (GenAI). Other important benefits include improved employee retention and decreased cybersecurity risk along with productivity and time-saving advantages.
If you are looking to modernize its workforce technology, here are 10 steps to get you started:
1: Assess What you Have Now
You can’t get to where you want to go until you know where you are now, so assessment is always the first step in an endeavor of any kind, but especially in a technology modernization initiative. How will you know what you need without taking stock of what you have now? You need to fully understand your current technological infrastructure.
A good starting point is identifying existing strengths and weaknesses, including outdated systems and areas where technology could enhance business processes. Understanding your starting point is crucial. It helps in developing a targeted and effective modernization strategy.
2: Make Sure Technology Goals and Business Objectives are Aligned
Technology is not some isolated component – it’s a strategic enabler aligned and integrated with your business goals, so you need to clearly define how technology can support and enhance your business objectives. Whether you want to use technology to improve customer engagement or streamline internal processes and expand your market reach. Ensure that your technology modernization efforts align with your overarching business vision.
3: “Get Thee to the Cloud!”
If some or all of your operations are not in the cloud, hold it up for serious consideration. The cloud has emerged as a game-changer for businesses of all sizes. Embracing cloud technologies can offer small businesses several important benefits, including scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.
There are two basic ways to do this:
1) Migrate key applications and data to cloud platforms. This can enhance accessibility, collaboration, and data security. Cloud solutions can also simplify software updates and maintenance, freeing up resources for other strategic initiatives.
2) Move all operations completely to the cloud, starting with the implementation of a full cloud platform, like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace.
4: Spend the Money for Better Collaborative Tools
Communication fosters good collaboration, both of which are essential for small businesses, but they must be effective. Marshall some of your resources toward collaborative tools and platforms that ease seamless interaction among team members, regardless of their physical location. Institute or improve existing tools for video conferencing, project management, and document sharing. These tools can enhance teamwork and productivity, fostering a cohesive work environment even in remote or hybrid setups.
5: Re-evaluate your Cybersecurity Measures
We face an ever-increasing prevalence of cyber threats, so network security should be a top priority for all small businesses, especially those undergoing technology modernization. If you are not covered in this area, put in place robust defensive measures. Focus on protecting sensitive data, customer information, and your critical business assets.
Effective cybersecurity measures include:
Firewalls
Antivirus (AV) software
Ongoing security updates
Employee training
Threat identification & response
6: Embrace Mobile-Friendly Solutions
Mobility has become a key to success these days, so adopting mobile-friendly solutions is crucial. Optimize your business applications and platforms for mobile use, allowing employees to work efficiently from various devices anywhere. This enhances flexibility and accommodates the evolving expectations of the workforce. Employees value the ability to work on the go.
7: Evaluate Remote Work Options
Ever since COVID, most businesses have been down this road at least for a time, although many have returned to an ‘in-office’ or hybrid work model. Regardless, there is still a huge remote workforce out there.
The global shift towards remote work had accelerated, slowed, but has now fairly levelled off. SMBs should prepare to embrace flexible work arrangements by modernize their technology infrastructure to support remote and hybrid options. These provide employees with the tools and connectivity they need and helps them maintain productivity outside of the traditional office environment.
8: Make Full Use Automation for Increased Efficiency
All businesses can reap substantial benefits from automation - especially SMBs, which can significantly improve operational efficiency. Identify repetitive, time-consuming tasks and look at how to automate them to streamline workflows. Look at things like customer service chatbots and automated invoicing systems. Embracing automation can free up valuable human resources and reduce the risk of errors in routine tasks.
9: Supply Employees with Quality Training and Support
This is a MUST. Technology is almost useless if employees don’t know how to use it, so introducing new technologies requires a commitment to ongoing training and support for your workforce. Don’t just throw your workers into the deep end of the pool: ensure that employees have the necessary skills to leverage the new tools effectively. This may involve providing training sessions, creating user-friendly guides, and offering a support system to address any issues that may arise during the transition.
10: Embrace and Adapt to Evolving Technologies
Technology is a dynamic field, a constantly moving target that will not sit still. Staying ahead requires a commitment to watching and adapting to emerging trends. Regularly assess the technology landscape. Work with your IT services provider to help you identify new solutions that could benefit your business. A proactive approach to staying current ensures your small business remains competitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which cloud service type is best?
As with most tools, it depends on your company’s needs. Generally, Microsoft wins the day, with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google close behind. AWS and Google produce a good-enough product, but both companies’ trustworthiness in the marketplace remains a question mark. Google fails to guarantee not to sell your data (a major source of their profits), and both have been known to shut down or censor enterprises for nebulous or political reasons.
After the introduction of cloud computer Windows 365, coupled with the improvements and the rebranding of Office 365 to incorporate it into Microsoft 365, Microsoft has sealed the gaps that other cloud providers are still just patching together. Theirs is a platform that is truly fully integrated and negotiates full cloud operations with ease and the best security.
On C-Sharp Corner, Mahesh Chand provides an intriguing breakdown in his ‘Top 10 Cloud Service Providers of 2024'.
What's the main advantage of using Microsoft 365 over Google Workspace?
In their own way, they both are great platforms. According to Style Factory, one key reason to choose Microsoft 365 over Google Workspace is: “The inclusion of its desktop apps — most 365 plans give you access to fully installable versions of the classic Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Powerpoint and so on). These tend to be more feature-rich than the Google equivalents and can be used easily online.”
Here at ITFIRM.COM, we are partners with both Microsoft and Google, so we offer clients our expertise on both platforms. While we may recommend either for different reasons, our office and operational infrastructure runs on Microsoft 365.
What is AI vs automation?
These two terms are often used in tandem, but they both have distinct purposes. AI incorporates machine learning and advanced algorithms; it learns from data, adapts, and makes decisions without explicit programming. Automation simply executes predefined tasks, reducing manual intervention and enhancing efficiency.
What does it mean to be mobile friendly?
The basic meaning of ‘mobile friendly’ is that your website performs well on a mobile device like a phone or tablet. Some use the term to describe the use of business apps on mobile devices, such as Quickbooks, Zoom, Teams, etc.
How secure is your network?
As a longstanding, reputable member of the Charlotte IT Support community, ITFIRM.COM offers a FREE, no-risk network and cybersecurity assessment. We perform a non-intrusive scan that allows us to deliver a comprehensive report of the state of your system and its vulnerabilities that is yours to keep. There are no strings attached, and you are under no obligation ever to use our Managed IT services.
The two best defenses are next-generation cybersecurity to protect your data from theft, and a top-notch Managed Services Provider to ensure continued reliability and defenses against newly emerging threats.
We put our 100% Money Back Guarantee in writing, so there is no risk in trying us out. Because we do not require a ‘hard’ contract, our clients can fire us at any time with 30 days’ notice. We have to be good.
Among the Managed IT services we provide:
IT HelpDesk Service
Onsite IT Support
Cybersecurity
Cloud migration and management
Email migration services
Backup and disaster recovery
VoIP phone systems
IT disposition and recycling
Office moves
White label services (IT to IT)
Planning an Office Move?
Contact ITFIRM.COM today! We have the experience to ensure a seamless transition. After the office move, your employees will arrive at the new location to find their IT infrastructure ready and open for business!
For more information on office moves, or to receive your FREE no-risk network and cybersecurity assessment, just fill out the form on this page or call us at:
704-565-9705
