By Bob Milliken
There is a powerful force driving all businesses to deliver superior products and services faster and on tighter margins—technology.
Every business, from small mom-and-pop stores to large enterprises, is developing a dependence on technology. Whether it’s e-mail, e-commerce, websites, cloud computing, database management or accounting software, there are very few businesses that don’t have some level of dependence on their computer network and the various applications and data it stores.
The upside of technological advances is tremendous. When applied correctly, technology can provide your business significant competitive advantages in faster production, increased productivity, improved customer service, and up-to-the-minute reporting for strategic planning and decision making.
Downside Of Technology
The downside of this vast dependence on technology is that, when it doesn’t work, it can become a tremendous source of frustration, putting a major strain on production, sales and fulfillment. No business is immune to computer problems and failures. Without proper network maintenance, the average business can end up with spyware, viruses, and system crashes that can easily turn into major network outages. And that’s not including the daily computer “glitches” and problems that frustrate you and your employees.
Then there’s the complexity of it all. Installing and supporting even a small network requires specialized knowledge and skills that most small-business owners don’t have in-house. If a small business makes a $20,000, or even a $10,000, technology mistake, it can significantly impact their profitability and cash flow!
If you’re like most business owners, you probably shy away from things that are technical in nature because you don’t understand how they work, why they work, or how to operate them. After all, what you want are business solutions to drive sales and profitability. Yet the technology that runs your business is too important and too expensive to ignore.
• How do you make sure that the hardware, software, and solutions you are investing in actually support your business goals and work the way they are supposed to?
• How do you stay on top of technological advances that will give you significant competitive advantages while steering clear of the “latest and greatest” fads?
• How do you make sure your data is protected from an ever-growing list of threats, including viruses, hackers, spyware, faulty hardware, software, and employee sabotage?
• And ultimately, how do you go about finding a reliable consultant who not only has the expertise to make all of this technology work for you, but also the business acumen to recommend and implement real solutions that enhance productivity and profitability?
Bob Milliken is the president of Cascadia Systems Group. Connect with Bob at TheITguy@CascadiaSystemsGroup.com, or give us a call – 604.270.1730.
Your comments are appreciated – ComputerCents@CascadiaSystemsGroup.com
