Today’s competitive business environment is dominated by market leaders who have gained an edge using the hottest technologies to position their services, products and workforce in a leading position. Which business tools are they using to win? Here are a few of their favorites:
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing used to be only available for big businesses, but now any size business has the ability to avoid the significant upfront costs of purchasing and installing cutting-edge business software applications and hardware systems. Cloud computing allows companies to rent software and storage space as required and outsource routine information technology operations, such as data storage and backup, leaving them the opportunity to focus squarely on core operations.
With fast data speeds, companies can have real-time communication and file sharing, promoting better group collaboration. For those businesses with several locations and employees working from home, they can have them log in from anywhere. Storage space is only limited by a company’s ability to rent it, and rates for storage are low and going even lower. Cloud computing also frees up desktop storage and processing capacity. Also, no more worries about lost data and in-office disasters, because your data is stored off-site at several redundant locations.
Hosted PBX Phone System
The web has positioned smaller businesses to upgrade their phone systems in ways and for a cost structure unimaginable a decade ago. Hosted PBX phone systems is one of these technologies. These systems have the highest reliability rate with no comparable cost outlays. Traditional phone systems require large up-front costs to purchase and install. Since a hosted PBX system will not install any equipment at your location, all of the costs associated with equipment installation it are eliminated. They are scalable and grow with the business and all software and hardware upgrades are handled at the host office without additional costs. Businesses only need to purchase low cost handsets to access the systems.
Key features include: call forwarding to any remote location, call monitoring for training, virtual receptionist, and all of the features that big businesses depend on to manage their employees and service their customers. How about full integration with mobile phones and tablets? Hosted PBX excels in this area.
Collaboration Platforms
Today’s workforce continues to change how they interact with the companies who employ them. A survey conducted by Virgin Media Business predicted that 60 percent of office-based workers will regularly work from home by 2022.
Collaboration is the cornerstone of getting work done in this type of business environment, and as a result, collaboration software is a necessary tool. There are many that have become very popular, including Basecamp, Asana and Ryver, which not only are collaborative e-mail clients but also enable file sharing, offer wiki-like work space and provide real-time collaboration through Web conferencing. The benefits to the organization for using this type of software are numerous and include:
- There is an unlimited amount of employees that can be added to the platform.
- As long as they have an Internet connection, employees working on the software can be anywhere in the world.
- You can easily track any number of projects and initiatives simultaneously, and in real time.
- The company can have uninterrupted oversight of all the projects and interactions between employees.
- All elements of a project or initiative are stored in one place and easy to access by employees based on their permissions.
These tools position any business to compete. And since the competition most likely either has or is considering to purchase, them it is time your company get on board.
