Technology has continued to push forward for generations, and there are no signs that Moore’s law is stopping any time soon. There will always be a new tech update that affects the commercial world and consumers alike. A few years ago, online marketing became a common practice, and there is always something new around the corner that could drastically change standard practices. Small businesses might not receive the latest tech upgrades as soon as they hit the market, but new tools can significantly impact how a small business operates. The market is constantly changing, and different businesses have different priorities, but there is always a tech tool for the job. As we make our way further into 2021, there is no shortage of tech updates that can help small businesses in various ways, and we might see new tech products before the end of the year.
Shipping Assistance
Shipping is one of the trickiest systems for small businesses as larger companies get more preferable deals with major carriers. However, that does not mean that small businesses are forever at a disadvantage when it comes to shipping. Some of the best tech updates use software and programs to make shipping more manageable, so you can print a FedEx shipping label as soon as an order comes in or track orders in transit to give customers updates. Comprehensive shipping programs can also help manage your entire shipping operation by tracking inventory against orders received, generating labels, tracking order in transit, and more.
Software Unification
Everyone knows the feeling of having multiple logins for multiple programs or sites, and it is never a pleasant feeling. Instead of keeping track of various programs and fighting to make them all work together, you can unify your software and cut down on the number of separate programs. Not all systems will have a single unifying program that takes care of your fragmented programs, but many can greatly help. Having one program for HR means you don’t have to fight with a separate payroll, 401K, and benefits system just to manage one business. A single project management program will keep all active projects in the same centralized place, so parts don’t get in fringe programs. Using a unified data management system also helps with asset health. If you keep all your data within the same program, you never have to worry about fragments left somewhere else or maintaining data in multiple places. When all your data is in one program, regular maintenance has fewer steps and takes less time, which means you are more likely to keep your data healthy.
Cybersecurity Matters
Small businesses might think that they are not popular targets for cyberattacks, but that is not true. Sadly, small businesses are often easy targets for criminals because most small businesses do not invest in proper cybersecurity and protections. You must ensure your email servers, databases, physical office, and all other digital assets are protected; otherwise, criminals may sniff out an easy target. Being a small business will not protect you, and do not assume that your business will be the lucky one that doesn’t get attacked. You will sorely regret not having cybersecurity once you need it, so invest in protecting your business now. You do not need a dedicated security professional monitoring your system 24/7, but you must have some basic protections that will deter criminals looking for an easy payday.
Get Ready For 5G
The rollout of 5G was teased for years, but it is finally making its way to customers in various regions. As 5G becomes more prolific, you should be ready for new expectations. 5G is significantly faster than 4G, so customers may be less willing to wait for your site to load since the issue would be with your site, not their connection. 5G will also make video calls, 4K video, and other similar high impact formats far less laggy and provide more stable playback. It might be some time before everyone uses 5G, but the day is coming, and small businesses should be ready to use it.
Technology never stops, and small businesses need every advantage they can get. While no technology update will make a successful company overnight, each tool helps make the business better. From shipping assistance to better software systems and cybersecurity, there is almost no end to the various tools to help businesses.
