Technologies Changing the Future of Business
Technology has always been a powerful tool for companies, but it is now changing the face of business in ways we never thought possible. Small local companies can now compete with large international corporations. Businesses can find suppliers on the opposite side of the world as global barriers are becoming invisible. Stock management and operational systems are being reinvented with the arrival of automation software. The rippling effect of all these technologies is improving efficiency and creating new innovative approaches to every facet of operations. Let’s take a look at some of the other technologies that are changing the future of business one step at a time.
Cloud Computing
In this digital age, cloud computing is rapidly changing the way companies function. On a basic level, it enables businesses to access information and applications over the internet, instead of having to install and maintain software on their own computers. The benefits of this technology are vast. For starters, companies can save on hardware costs, as they no longer need to purchase and maintain their own servers. In addition, there are no software installation or licensing fees, making it an affordable option for companies of all sizes. The cloud also enables employees to work from anywhere in the world, as long as they have a strong and consistent connection. Since everything is done online, businesses can enjoy faster turnaround times and reduced IT maintenance costs. It’s a win-win.
Analytics
Data is king in today’s data-driven world. The ability to gather and analyze data has allowed businesses to become more efficient and profitable. The collecting, storing, and analyzing of data is changing small and large companies in every single industry. Let’s take a small business in the human resource management industry. It can leverage data collection and analysis to improve customer experience, refine marketing plans and reach potential customers that are in their target market. A large logistics corporation, on the other hand, can use specialized electronic logging devices for trucking companies to record specific driver data like location, fuel consumption, and safety compliance. This data can then be processed and analyzed to create systems that will increase efficiency, improve safety compliance, and reduce expenses.
Mobile Technologies
The arrival of mobile technologies has given employees more freedom and flexibility to work from home. This broadens the pool of potential employees for businesses and gives them access to the best talent around the world. Through apps and social media, we can now reach a wider audience than ever before. The rate of progression in this area is constant and, unfortunately, those that are not leveraging the world of mobile technologies will be left behind.
Social Media
Social media has revolutionized how businesses communicate with customers, how they market their products, and how they operate. Let’s take marketing as an example and how social media has affected it. Traditionally, businesses would use local marketing channels to get the word out about their product/service. The most popular methods of advertising were the local radio and newspaper. Now, location isn’t even a factor as businesses can target customers from around the world based on interests and demographics. Or, if you want to be even more specific, you could target your customers based on what they like to eat and where they like to shop. When implemented correctly, an effective social media marketing plan can be the difference between a business failing and succeeding.
This article has been published in accordance with Socialnomics’ disclosure policy.
