Emerging Technologies & Their Impact on Businesses
If you run your own small business, it’s important to stay on the cutting edge of technology to take advantage of opportunities to become more efficient and keep yourself ahead of the competition. Doing so gives you much greater adaptability and flexibility with your business, which is especially important if your company is just getting off the ground or in a period of rapid growth.
The following are a few of the technologies that we’re likely to see become even more important to small businesses throughout 2014. We encourage you to think about which of these technologies you’re already making use of, and if there are any opportunities for you to increase their use.
Cloud technology
Cloud-based software has been rapidly growing in use over the last couple of years, and you can expect that growth to continue in 2014. It is both flexible and scalable, and allows you to have access to a significant amount of storage space without having to purchase additional computer servers or hard drivers. Plus, you can then access this information anywhere at any time from any device that has Internet access. You no longer need to worry about using flash drives or CDs to make your information portable.
Mobile devices
The technology used in mobile devices continues to evolve, and they have become increasingly important in the business world. Devices such as smart phones and tablets have changed the way that small businesses operate. Today, these devices are built to have better software, better Internet capabilities, longer battery lives and bigger, more responsive screens. With their help, you and your employees can conduct business from anywhere at any time.
Social networks
Social networks themselves aren’t exactly new, but the tools used to glean information from them are becoming more sophisticated. Some of these networks have their own built-in analytics systems used to track engagement data from followers. They also have newer, more up-to-date advertising systems in place to give businesses a better chance at reaching their target audiences. Now more than ever, businesses can use social media to get a true insight into what their customers think about their brands.
This year, make a commitment to using these technologies to further enhance your operations as a business. The longer you wait to get started, the more you risk falling behind. If you need to explore financing options, don’t hesitate to contact the experienced team at Fidelity Capital.