It’s a new year—and for some companies, that means new technology! While everyone wants the shiny new devices and the most advanced programs, it’s vital to be prudent in assessing your business technology needs. Simply put, it’s important to look for the most cost-effective and strategic ways to get the technology that will truly make a positive difference for your team and your clients.
Before you proceed to buy new technology, we recommend pausing for a business technology assessment—a process that might include online research, beta testing, or simply asking your peers what they recommend.
In this post, we’ll offer some more specific guidelines for assessing your needs before a technology implementation.
Consider Cloud-Based Services
One of the first things to do is consider the ways you can embrace the cloud—which is to say, consider your data needs.
After all, data is a crucial part of any business, and we interact with it every day of our lives. Most businesses are on the cloud already, and those that aren’t will likely need to migrate to the cloud pretty soon.
If you have information that needs storing and accessing, you’ll want to keep it safe. But before that you need to do your research and pick the right cloud service for you.
Think About Mobile Device Management
Mobile device management is another concern.
In an effort to stay lean, many companies enroll in a “bring your own device” (BYOD) system that allows remote, contract, and full-time employees to use their personal devices for work purposes. But there is a risk! There could be a data breach or other cyber security lapse.
That’s why it’s important to be serious about mobile device management (MDM). This software is used to secure the data of all devices used by a business.
What About Using AI?
Some of the most innovative business technologies incorporate AI, or artificial intelligence—but do these technologies have a place in your business?
It just depends. For businesses in the finance and real estate sectors, using AI to track trends and identify patterns can provide valuable automation and enhanced accuracy. But if your business is a diner or a coffee shop, AI is probably of fairly little use.
Talking to Your Employees
For as valuable as AI can be, it won’t solve all your problems; there’s aren’t enough innovative business technologies or high-tech solutions in the world to replace the value of real relationships with your employees.
To that end, we always recommend talking to your team and inquiring what some of their pain points are—and how they see technology being used to address those pain points.
Additionally, always seek high-tech solutions that make it easier for your employees to collaborate and communicate; the last thing you want is technology that acts as a hurdle to effective teamwork.
Remember: Technology Won’t Fix Everything
Indeed, technology cannot fix internal problems. No machine, cloud-based system, or gadget can fix bad management, bad morale, or bad hires.
If those are the problems you’re facing, it may be time to look past high-tech solutions and instead:
- Take accountability
- Make time to listen to your employees
- Consider your company’s general strengths but also take stock of its weaknesses
Salient Networks Provides ITaaS (IT as a Service)
One more consideration: The most effective way to get tailored tech solutions for a price you can afford is to engage an ITaaS, or IT as a Service, provider. Salient Networks is proud to offer this technology service model—which means we offer your business a customized blend of any or all of the following:
- Cloud Hosting and Cloud-Based Services
- Desktop as a Service
- Phone System
- SalientConnect
- Internet and Phone Circuit
- 24-Hour Monitoring and Helpdesk
- Network Security
- Problem Resolution Available 24/7
- Staff Augmentation
- Minor and Major Software Upgrades
- Moves, Adds, and Changes Assistance
- Comprehensive Monthly Reports
As the business owner, you’re the one who knows your company inside and out. You know what your tech needs are, and what kind of solutions your company requires. If those solutions involve the latest business technology, we hope you’ll reach out to Salient Networks to learn more.