For small businesses today, it’s always good common practice to keep an eye out for any new advances in technology. While this may sound tedious, especially with the rapid pace at which technology continues to evolve, investing the time and resources required to be on the cutting edge of innovative tech can boost the productivity, by acquiring new customers and retaining existing ones. It can also help keep the business safe by adding extra layers of security that can fend off potential cyber-attacks or intrusions too.
Here are a few tech considerations that small businesses owners should think about in today’s digital age.
1. Refresh both software and hardware
Many small business owners tend to consider updates to software and hardware as a luxury, however, it’s more of a necessity today than it ever has been. If you feel that a refresh is long overdue, it is well-worth the investment since it will guarantee an increase in the productivity of the business, and the budget allocated towards it can be controlled and won’t break the bank. You’ll be surprised at how cost-effective it can be to procure a tech platform like an OTA channel manager for your hotel or B&B or acquire new devices to streamline your restaurant business.
2. Invest in cyber security measures
Compared to larger corporations, smaller businesses are often ill-equipped to deal with cyber attacks, not only because of the misconception that the investment required is too expensive on a modest budget but also because they generally underestimate the threat that they pose. It’s a mistake to assume that only bigger businesses are prone to cyber attacks, especially when you consider the fact that they often have better cybersecurity measures in place.
Even worse are the repercussions that an attack can have on a small business. Since the damage which can be done can be far costlier to repair, it’s often better to opt for preventative measures and acquire the services of cybersecurity professionals. Such security measures are just like securing your business with virtual security guards with complete AR-10 rifle that will repel all attacks on you 24/7.
3. Embrace mobility
Mobile technology has become far more popular today than its bulkier predecessors such as desktop computers and laptops, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone without a mobile device like a smartphone or a tablet handy at all times. To this end, it’s important to consider adapting or updating pre-existing software to be compatible with mobile devices. Whether it’s to allow employees to be kept updated and do some work even when not in the workplace, or to allow more customers better access to your services, there’s no reason not to embrace mobile.
It’s not difficult for small businesses to be overwhelmed, especially in extremely competitive industries and oversaturated markets. Not only are finances often tight, but a single error or mistake can be potentially catastrophic. By investing resources in current and new-generation technology, however, you’ll be staying ahead of the pack, which will not only help the company increase profit through productivity and accessibility but it also improve cybersecurity.
