The technology landscape is offering more and more solutions that businesses can apply to take their business to the next level. This technology offers a range of benefits, including the ability to create a seamless, integrated and smooth IT infrastructure that enhances productivity, security, growth and insight-driven innovation.
Here are the top 5 things that you can apply in your IT this year, given the constant emergence of new technologies that could benefit your business. Here they are in a nutshell:
- Next-Gen Online Security
- AI and Automation
- Internet of Things
- Integration of Digital Channels
- Budget Conscious Solutions
Next-gen online security
According to the Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report in 2022, in the US alone, the number of US organisations that are reporting cyber-attacks climbed by over 7% over the last year, while attacks that cause more than $25,000 in damages have jumped from 34% to 40%. This study is no exception: it is part of a wave of global studies that demonstrate an increase in the number, strength, and harm of cyberattacks.
However, whilst the threats are becoming more prevalent and sophisticated, so are the solutions! The majority of common cyberattacks may be effectively thwarted by the “signature-based” cyber defence systems that are already used by most businesses, but some of the more sophisticated threats demand more advanced security measures.
“Next-generation” cyber security solutions are able to detect unusual activity and take prompt, decisive action, stopping hackers in their tracks using a combination of AI, machine learning, and behavioural psychology. Platforms with increased detection and response abilities are one example. Today’s businesses are using a variety of data storage environments, including public cloud, private cloud, hybrid cloud, and on-premise settings.
These next generation systems can provide full environmental security, monitoring, and control, spanning across all of these environments. These systems allow for the automation of response duties and offer live threat analysis, allowing real-time monitoring of suspicious activity so that preventative measures can be deployed before attackers are able to gain a foothold in the network.
If your company handles a lot of sensitive or secret data, enquire with an IT supplier about next-generation cyber protection.
AI and Automation
Data-driven insights, big gains in efficiency, and punching above your weight, are all benefits that can be realised with artificial intelligence. Even though voice recognition, smart appliances, and grammar checking are increasingly prevalent in consumer technology, the implementation of AI in many SMEs is happening a lot more gradually, and sometimes hardly at all! But this pace is changing, as many smaller businesses now understand the need to intensify digital innovation in an effort to stay competitive and relevant in our online world.
As businesses try to learn more about its potential, AI is already present in almost every corporate function, from focused marketing tools for market forecasting, to predictive security.
Employee onboarding and expense processing are just two of the many uses for business process automation that are growing in popularity. Operations for customer assistance are also being simplified in a similar manner. The majority of tedious, time-consuming administrative tasks will undoubtedly be automated in the coming years; the sooner a business does this, the more time that they have to gain a competitive advantage and focus on core value activities.
Be sure to get your IT partner to provide assistance if you want to automate and integrate AI into your company processes in 2023.
Internet of things (IoT)
Devices for the internet of things are actual objects with sensors that connect wirelessly to networks to convey data, hence the name, Internet of Things! Certain Internet of Things (IoT) gadgets have built-in computers that let them carry out tasks on their own.
IoT is becoming increasingly prevalent in domestic, transportation and warehousing environments, and more. Digital thermostats, smart speakers, and smart doorbells are just a few of the IoT gadgets that have multiplied in homes over the past ten years. Elsewhere, robots are being used in warehouses to intelligently move inventory across the premises for processing, as well as in hospitals to monitor patients for example. You can dramatically reduce the stress on your staff and boost productivity by integrating IoT devices into your network.
To leverage IoT, it is advisable that your IT provider should be able to manage IoT implementations to decrease any potential cyber dangers that these devices can present, they should also support such devices and make sure that the necessary security safeguards are followed.
Integration of Digital Channels
More and more softwares and services are able to integrate and communicate with each other. Today many companies that are striving for a competitive edge are integrating their channels and data, and then analysing them using machine learning models to derive real-time insights that can enhance their profitability and growth.
Amongst the possibilities are data analytics softwares that bring various datasets and channels together, integrating apps such as ChatGPT with other utilised apps and workflows within the company’s techstack, and as discussed earlier, integrating advanced cybersecurity capabilities across their digital and physical IT systems to provide predictive and multi-layered cybersecurity protections.
Budget-conscious solutions
In SWZD’s “State of IT” poll, 45% of small enterprises were already preparing for a probable recession in 2023. Some organisations are betting on it, with 43% of respondents having already applied or are actively considering cuts to their spending. The good news is, a good number of the emerging solutions are both more effective and cheaper to use.
With cost-cutting initiatives anticipated to continue through the rest of 2023 given the challenging global economic environment, many organisations will look to their IT systems to gain more value for money. As a result, IT service providers will need to find and implement cost-effective solutions that guarantee optimum uptime in order to protect their revenue streams. Modern technology can be optimised for business purposes in the following ways:
- Using SaaS solutions hosted in the cloud rather than more conventional programmes that rely on local hardware, which are more rigid and expensive to maintain.
- Researching more affordable options for business broadband.
- Using technologies that provide business intelligence for deriving valuable insights from previously underutilised data, which can then be used to boost efficiency and revenue creation.
- Research remote work options to reduce the demands on office space.
- Changing to a VoIP phone system to take advantage of the maintenance and call cost savings.
IT shouldn’t be expensive, and there are many platforms and solutions available that are relatively inexpensive to use. Make sure the technology your IT provider offers is consistent with your financial constraints and that they can demonstrate a return on investment for each project in 2023.
Ready to take your business to the next level?
Contact Bells IT Support, Dartford’s top IT support company for SMEs. We provide a range of IT services, from managed IT to business telephony and project management. Our team takes a proactive approach to each of our managed service offerings, with solutions tailored to your business needs and budget. We are committed to providing strategic solutions to our clients and building business partnerships based on sincerity and trust. Partnering with us means access to expert tech solutions grounded in business reality and a firm commitment to cyber security best practices. Contact us today to learn more.