Technology is constantly changing, but many small businesses aren’t capitalizing on recent tech trends and advancements. According to one study commissioned by Google, 80% of small businesses are not taking advantage of the opportunities provided by digital technology.
For example, customers are increasingly using digital channels to buy products and services. If your technology isn’t equipped to respond to online demands or requests quickly and effectively, then your customers will find a business that can.
Unfortunately, many small businesses either neglect or think they can’t afford technology improvements. As a result, rather than maintaining the status quo, those businesses are falling behind the competition, feeling overwhelmed, or remaining unaware that tech trends are passing them by.
Worried that your business isn’t keeping up with recent IT business trends? Here are five warning signs that your business may be relying on outdated technology and why it may be time to contact an experienced IT services partner like Verdant TCS to explore how your business can make a digital transformation.
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1. You’re Overly Reliant on Manual Tools and Processes
Rather than manually entering data into your system or being overly reliant on spreadsheets, you could be using automation to improve efficiency and speed up day-to-day business activities. Manual tools and processes also increase the possibility of employees duplicating information, creating conflicting reports, or making errors. Recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IOT) technology, and machine learning not only will make data more consistent and accurate, but it will improve efficiency and productivity throughout your business. Those advantages alone make an investment in upgraded technology worth the price.
2. You’re Spending Too Much on Your Current Technology
This can affect you in two primary ways. First, the cost of maintenance and upkeep for on-premises hardware and systems will add up over time and make it even more difficult to upgrade technology in the future.
Second, legacy technology will prevent you from enjoying the cost savings that come with more modern choices, such as cloud computing solutions for your phone systems, data storage, and CRM platform. Cloud computing solutions offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and the Google Cloud Platform also can be conveniently updated in real-time without disruptions to your operations in coming years.
3. You’re Reacting Slowly (or not at all) to New Cybersecurity Threats
From ransomware and malware to data breaches and phishing attacks, new cybersecurity threats are being introduced every day. Your technology needs to be able to keep pace. Implementing cloud computing solutions will allow you to take a proactive approach that provides more reliable and consistent protection against cybersecurity attacks.
New technology also makes it easier to implement a multilayered cybersecurity approach that combines multi-factor authentication, multiple data backups both onsite and offsite, whitelisted geographical areas, and secure VPNs.
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4. You’ve Learned to Live With Slow Process Speeds
Inefficiency quickly creeps into your business models when systems and applications take a long time to load or boot up, and are a telltale sign that the time has come to upgrade your hardware and software. Slow website speeds can be even more impactful, though, especially if your business relies on e-commerce.
Customers have grown increasingly impatient with websites that take too long to load. Make sure your website is up to date, so you don’t inadvertently give your customers and prospects an excuse to seek out a better customer experience from the competition.
5. Your Employees Are Consistently Dealing With Long Downtime Periods
How often does your system crash, freeze, or lock up? Or maybe you’ve discovered that jokes about the “spinning wheel of death” are happening a little too frequently. Software crashes, connectivity issues, and bugs are annoying for employees and customers to deal with, but outdated technology usually doesn’t have the type of disaster recovery tools, policies, and procedures in place to help you quickly rebound from a system emergency. Your disaster recovery procedures should minimize downtime to help minimize business disruptions and lost revenue.
Verdant TCS Can Help Modernize Your Technology Systems
Upgrading and modernizing your technology can be a stressful process and it’s often hard for small business owners to know where to start. Save yourself the headache by working with a managed services provider (MSP) like Verdant TCS. We will be a proactive partner that works with you to craft a new technology roadmap without requiring an increase in IT staff or capital expenditures.
We founded Verdant TCS to help you plan, implement, monitor, and support the IT business trends that are right for you. Our experienced team of IT professionals will be more than happy to work with you to find efficient and technology solutions that will reduce your costs and help your business plan for the future.
To learn how Verdant TCS can help your business, please call 616-210-1760 or fill out this short form.
References
Deloitte (n.d.) “Small Business Technology Trends.” Retrieved from: https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/technology-media-and-telecommunications/articles/connected-small-businesses.html