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According to a December 2021 White Paper from the World Economic Forum, SMEs make up over 90% of all companies across the globe.
However, many of these SMEs are not utilising the tools and technologies available to them, leaving a massive productivity gap between them and the ones that are embracing digitization and Industry 4.0. It is estimated that companies without a digital transformation plan in action, can lose up 30% of their annual revenue due to inefficient processes.
It is clear that SMEs need to constantly re-evaluate their processes and work smart in order to come out on top. But more importantly, they need to use the right business tech and support to avoid affects to their bottom line.
With all of this in mind and considering the crucial role that tech and IT infrastructure plays in a company’s success and its digitization, we’ve created a list of the IT essentials that every SMME should have in their digital and tech transformation kit. It’s sure to help you get ahead!
5 IT BASICS FOR YOUR TECH DECK
1.Cloud Computing
At the top of the list, of course, is cloud computing. The flexibility to work anywhere is increasingly distinguishing the companies that are rapidly expanding and the ones that are not. Just think of the recent KZN floods and how no access to roads impacted your business and your teams’ ability to work. Think of moms with sick children, and how much more productive it would be if they could work from home. Need we mention COVID?
Acquiring that enviable flexibility in your and your teams’ working location is so much easier when you utilise cloud computing. Moving to the cloud will let your workforce connect seamlessly to your company’s network, access essential information, and communicate on the move. (Psst… it also provides you with outstanding data protection and cuts the steep costs of maintaining on-site servers.)
2.VOIP
VOIP is not as scary as it may sound. It stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol, and is basically a business telephone system that runs phone calls through your company’s LAN network (you know that grey cable that gives you super fast internet connection?). VOIP comes with perks such as clearer voice quality, scalability, no need for costly PBX systems, no extra hardware needed, and no changes to your buildings electrical wiring.
VOIP is powered by broadband, allowing you to setup cloud-based VOIP that allows you to make calls from anywhere (provided you have internet connection) and keep your number if your business changes address.
3.Backup Management
With South Africa becoming a cybercrime hotspot, it’s never been more important to safeguard your business information with regular backups (think of ransomware cases where a company’s data is basically held hostage for a handsome fee!).
Data is the lifeblood of your company and without it, you would not be able to operate.
This is why it’s so important to use an IT service (such as our Backup Management) that saves and stores any changes you make. (Psst… it’s often cheaper to get IT experts to manage your backups than to do it yourself.)
4.Microsoft Office 365
Microsoft Office 365 is the business standard in terms of the productivity suite of applications, allowing you access on any device, wherever you are.
This includes the Microsoft office apps we use every day, access to files from anywhere, Teams for online video calls and collaborative working. Cloud email hosting and a dynamic calendar are included as well and, at the core of it all, everything is designed with security in mind. There is so much that can be done with Microsoft 365!
5.Outsourced Tech Experts
Running a business does not have to go hand in hand with countless IT issues that weigh you down. In most cases, it’s best to focus on what you do best (bringing in the business) while you outsource your IT management.
In addition to this, many SMMEs are moving to outsourced solutions as a more affordable way to fix IT headaches, since you only pay for what is needed (versus hiring in-house IT expert), avoid wasting time with all the paperwork that goes with hiring a new employee, have access to the latest technology, and have a team of IT professionals experienced in all industries (who can often fix problems faster).
Outsourced IT support that proactively fixes any tech issues before they slow you down should not be overlooked – it plays a major role in taking your business to the next level.
We hope you’ve found this IT-advance kit for SMMEs helpful – we’re most certain that it will give you a leg up in your industry and that it will work to improve your productivity.
Please feel free to chat to Stratus IT for any questions you may have on implementing the above IT essentials in your business – and don’t forget to ask about our onsite assessments 😉
