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10 New Technologies to Advance Small Businesses

Many enterprises have already gone through, are currently in the process of, or have a stage of digital transformation planned. With such a large influx of new technologies available to the business world, planning and deploying technologies in the best possible way is vital to success. Whatever the industry or field may be, the implementation of technologies will become essential to competing in the market, but a digital transformation that is not carefully planned could be damaging to a business.

If you require any assistance with your digital transformation or help with specific technologies, EC-MSP, an IT support company in London is on hand to ensure a smooth and effective service.

IT automation

There are many tasks that can be automated to increase efficiency and streamline the workload of an enterprise. Automation tools and programs are able to integrate into existing software for the completion of various tasks that do not require the attention of staff members. IT automation and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) have applications for various departments of an organization, such as human resources, data management, accounting, marketing, and customer services.

Artificial Intelligence

Technologies that make use of AI and machine learning are already commonly used in the form of spam filters that can identify messages using unusual language and structures or strange email addresses. AI allows the software to execute basic ‘thinking’ to complete automated tasks, while machine learning is a system by which programs can interpret feedback and develop their performance accordingly. This is widely used in areas like customer service, and Gartner predicts a rapid increase in the deployment of AI.

Big data analytics

Big data has become an essential resource for businesses in every sector to understand more about their customers, and data analytics is needed to examine the vast quantities of data and find patterns and insights. Tracking consumer data can provide useful insights, such as the time spent on-site and the number of completed conversions. Business owners can make use of IBM Watson, Google Analytics, and other tools to collect information that can help to streamline, make informed decisions, and create goals.

Virtual Reality

VR is becoming less of a futuristic vision and more of a practical tool for use in the present. The technology has the potential to improve the customer experience and make the purchase of goods and services more convenient. It can find applications in travel, real estate, retail, and other industries, with a projected increase in global spending over the next three years. VR is becoming more affordable for businesses that can use the tech to cut costs, and more accessible to a wider market.

Chatbots

Chatbots are still limited in their abilities to provide complete customer support, but they are able to manage a high proportion of customer interactions. They can also use machine learning technology to develop and refine their skills based on customer data and feedback, and they can be seamlessly integrated into the human workflow. More companies are finding the benefits of chatbots and investing in them, and customers are becoming more accustomed to and comfortable with using them.

IoT

The Internet of Things has been growing at an exponential rate since the introduction of smart devices, so it is to be expected that this would impact the business. Consumers are spending an increasing proportion of their internet time on a mobile device, which is continually affecting the way businesses engage and market to their target customers. More employees and contractors are accessing corporate data via mobile devices, which puts a greater demand on cybersecurity measures.

Smart payments

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are yet to find widespread use, but smart payments using mobile transactions or e-wallets are growing in popularity due to the convenience and reduced costs. FinTech is a burgeoning industry as a result of increased connectivity and because startups are able to offer reliable services that undersell traditional banking options. Enterprises from outside the finance sector should ensure that they are flexible when it comes to processing payments, offering the options that are the easiest and more affordable for the customer.

Blockchain

It has long been a promising technology that has remained inaccessible to the outsider, but now blockchain is beginning to find applications and adoptions in various industries. Blockchain can offer absolute security so it is used for smart contracts, which ensure that certain actions will only be performed when the terms of the contract are met. The records are mutual and unalterable, which brings transparency and certainty to supply chains and financial transactions. It is a powerful technology that has the potential to revolutionize the business world.

Security technologies

As the world becomes increasingly digital, IT security is not just a precaution but an existential necessity. In the twenty-first century there is a higher number of businesses that are data-driven, and more that have data as their sole asset. The loss of customer information and intellectual property could mean the end for many businesses, so there is a much greater emphasis on cybersecurity technologies. Measures such as email encryption, VPNs, anti-malware, and password management solutions must always be implemented and maintained.

Business telephone

IP telephony or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) allows voice and multimedia communications to be delivered over the internet. It is more affordable when compared with traditional telephones, as it circumvents the placing of costly international calls. This can be an advanced, cloud-based service that is more accessible and with better call quality. Other useful features may include call recording and voicemail transcription, and the services are more reliable and secure.

With so many emerging technologies available that are developing fast, it can be difficult to keep up and respond accordingly. But with expert consultation and informed planning, there is no reason that embracing new tools and solutions will not lead to success. These will offer greater capabilities to the business so you can concentrate on decision making and devising plans for the future.

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