Many small to medium sized business owners think of IT services as a necessary evil – something that needs to be in place in order to run your business, no matter what the headaches it may inspire. And while that may sometimes be the case, you can also turn your thinking around and realize that while technology is necessary, the right IT improvements can also help you to gain a competitive edge and win more market share.
So instead of cursing your need for technology, try thinking along these lines. Below are some of the main ways you can expect to benefit from implementing strategic technology and getting the right help from local IT professionals.
The Benefit of IT Improvements
Budgets are often tight, and IT improvements may be low on the list of your priorities. After all, if your hardware and software are operating correctly, why consider upgrades and improvements? The problem is that the technology wave moves quickly, and your competitors may gain advantages before you realize. Here are some of the intangible reasons you may want to stay on top of the technology curve.
Productivity Benefits: Technology gives business of all sizes the opportunity to speed up production processes, analyze where there are glitches and slowdowns, and allow for efficiencies. Task management tools keep you up to date with daily responsibilities and make sure all the bases are covered. Email management is increasingly important, as more messaging is now digital. Messaging tools can help your employees to answer every message promptly and prioritize responses and attention, automatically.
Flexibility Benefits: Two decades ago only the most forward thinking companies had employees working from home or other remote locations. Now remote workplaces are as common – and as diverse – as the local coffee shop or dining room table. However, small business owners often worried about productivity, oversight, and goal attainment when they can’t physically be in the same place. Software programs to track employee calls, emails, activity and productivity are all readily available. By upgrading to the right software, you can gain the confidence you need, expand your “office space” and also hire talented employees accustomed to the arrangement.
Improved Customer Service: A business needs customers – new customers, returning customers and satisfied customers. Utilizing technology to improve the customer experience with your organization is one of the best benefits of IT services. Whether you invest in a new, interactive website or develop a professional branded online personality, technology is critical to customer service these days. The most important aspect may be having your online “Storefront” available 24 x 7, with FAQs, online ordering, and even customer service options if possible. Keeping your website up and available at all times is critically important for businesses in 2020.
Marketing Advantage: Companies must market themselves online these days to truly reap the rewards. Software technology permits businesses to create strategic marketing plans which can be distributed, modified and commented on easily – no matter where your team members are located. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are integral to a successful marketing campaign, and email marketing software can automate and target news, updates and special offers to your customers and prospects. These tools also offer in-depth analysis and data never before available, and geo-targeting allows you to zero in on your target demographic, thus saving a lot of wasted money.
Strong Cyber Security: Manual record keeping often caused issues, if records were lost, ruined or damaged. Online record keeping allows for keeping data in multiple places, and allows for far more files and information to be contained. Still, the advent of technology made it easier in many ways for criminals to access records digitally and cause issues. In fact, cyber crime is one of the most pressing problems that businesses of all sizes face. Companies on top of the cyber security issue are utilizing encrypted passwords, new forms of authentication, firewalls and anti-virus programs for increased security. Technology presented us with new cyber concerns, but also the solutions to control them.
If you need help working through any of the above issues, are looking for new ways to utilize technology, or simply need some IT improvements to create a competitive edge – call Alliance IT. We are here to help with the IT support you need.
