Small Business Technology

1. AI tools for smarter decision-making

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how businesses operate by enabling smarter, faster, and more efficient decision-making. According to a report by the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, 82% of small businesses that have already adopted AI tools find them effective in running and growing their businesses.

Small businesses can now access AI tools to automate repetitive tasks, gain insights from data, and improve customer experiences. Here are some key benefits small businesses enjoy from adopting AI tools:

• Task automation: AI tools like Zapier and Microsoft Power Automate allow you to automate repetitive tasks like email replies, scheduling, or invoicing. That way, your employees can focus on more critical tasks that drive business growth.
• Customer insights: Using an AI-powered analytics platform like Google Analytics will help you understand customer behavior, see trends, and optimize marketing activities accordingly. AI can even analyze purchase patterns to recommend which product or service a customer is likely looking for next.
• Optimizing marketing and sales efforts: AI-powered customer relationship management (CRM) tools enable businesses to streamline their marketing and sales processes by analyzing leads to identify the most promising prospects, automate follow-ups, and even suggest personalized messaging for outreach.

2. Hybrid cloud solutions for flexibility and scalability

As businesses seek to find a balance between on-site security systems and the flexibility of cloud computing, many are turning to hybrid cloud. This approach enables small businesses to store sensitive data locally while leveraging the cloud for scalability and remote access.

Key gains small businesses can benefit from with hybrid cloud solutions include:

• Better system security: Implementing hybrid cloud solutions can enhance security by allowing you to utilize public cloud platforms for less sensitive operations, while keeping more sensitive data in private cloud platforms or on-premises. This allows you to maintain robust data security while keeping costs reasonable.
• Easy data access: Hybrid cloud solutions provide reliable access to data and applications, even during unexpected disruptions like power outages or natural disasters. This facilitates seamless operations and minimizes downtime, ultimately ensuring business continuity.
• Efficient resource allocation: Small businesses can allocate resources more effectively by combining on-premises infrastructure with scalable cloud services. This flexibility allows businesses to pay only for the cloud capacity they need while avoiding the cost of over-provisioning or underutilizing IT resources.

3. Enable remote work with cutting-edge tools

The percentage of employees working remotely has surged in recent years and is expected to climb even higher. With remote work now a permanent fixture, small businesses need the right tools to ensure seamless collaboration, maintain productivity, and support employees effectively.

Investing in remote work solutions not only improves daily operations but also delivers key advantages—reducing office space costs, lowering rent and utilities, and giving employees the flexibility to manage personal responsibilities, ultimately increasing job satisfaction and retention. Managing a remote team has its challenges but can be accomplished with the right strategies, our Complete Remote Working Guide provides you with useful tips to build a successful remote work strategy.

To build a productive and secure remote work environment, small businesses should prioritize:

• Cloud-based collaboration and communication: Tools like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Slack enable real-time document sharing, video conferencing, and instant messaging to keep teams connected and efficient.
• Secure remote access and device management: VPNs, virtual desktops, and endpoint management platforms help ensure employees can securely access company resources while keeping remote work environments protected from security threats.
• Project and workflow management: Project management platforms streamline task tracking and project collaboration, helping remote teams stay organized and aligned on priorities.

4. Embrace edge computing for faster insights

Edge computing improves how small businesses handle data by bringing processing power directly to the action source. Instead of relying on distant cloud servers, this approach reduces response times from seconds to milliseconds. This is critical for applications like retail analytics, inventory management, and customer experience optimization. 

For small businesses looking to stay competitive, edge computing offers enterprise-grade capabilities without the enterprise-level infrastructure costs.

Here's how edge computing can transform your SMB operations:

• Faster data processing: Edge computing benefits companies dependent on IoT devices, like smart sensors or connected machinery. For example, a retail store might use smart shelves to monitor inventory levels in real time and automate restocking.
• Cost efficiency: Businesses reduce bandwidth costs by limiting the transmission of large volumes of data back and forth with the cloud. This speeds up business operations.
• Enhanced customer experience: Businesses can improve their customer service by using applications that promote in-store or real-time traffic monitoring.

Integrating edge computing with existing systems can be complex, requiring careful planning and expertise. Small business owners should assess how well it aligns with their current IT infrastructure before implementation. Partnering with experienced IT consultants or managed service providers (MSPs) can simplify the process by identifying compatibility issues and creating a seamless integration roadmap.

5. Prioritize cybersecurity advancements

Cybersecurity should never be seen as an optional expense for any business, including small businesses. In fact, one in three small business has experienced a cyberattack in the past year. Remote work, personal device use, and a lack of employee security training are escalating cybersecurity vulnerabilities for small businesses. Check out our Small Business Guide to Cybersecurity to identify valuable assets and conduct a risk assessment for your small business.

To build robust defense without breaking the bank, here are practical cybersecurity strategies and trends that deliver maximum protection for your technology investment:

• Use multi-factor authentication (MFA): Strengthen account security by requiring additional authentication steps beyond a password.
• Regular updates: Keep all software and systems up-to-date to address vulnerabilities and reduce the risk of exploitation.
• Invest in data backup solutions: Use automatic backup systems that store data both locally and in the cloud to ensure recovery options in the event of a cyberattack.

Taking proactive measures not only prevents security breaches but also demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding customer information and strengthening your reputation in the marketplace.

Empower your small business with better technology

Strategic technology investment means finding the right tools to multiply your own team’s efforts. Small businesses can gain a bigger advantage by selectively adopting technology that directly addresses their pain points. By viewing technology through the lens of specific business outcomes, small businesses can make targeted investments that dramatically improve their competitive position without straining their resources.

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Small Business Printers

Printers are a common feature in any small business. But not all printers are the same and they’re not equally suited for each printing task. The printer used by a law firm to print extensive contracts is not going to be used to print transaction receipts at a retailer or to print large banners at an ad agency. Find the right printer to meet your unique business needs.

Small Business Printers