Business technology includes whatever technological solutions businesses use in operations, production, interactions with customers, and services provided, among other activities. Technology in business also often scales with the size of the business. This means that technology in small business looks much different from that used in medium and large businesses.
As a business owner, you have certain operations that require using different technologies to complete. Everything from managing a personal calendar to sending an email to holding a remote board meeting by videoconference requires technology to complete effectively.
The core business technology used in any given business varies by industry. While an office building might use computers, word processing software, spreadsheets, printers, and VoIP phones, a hospital would require computers, imaging software, specialized equipment for lab tests, and beepers or pagers for medical staff.
So what is technology in business? Business technology is the set of tools that a business uses in order to complete any aspect of its operations required to conduct business within its industry.
As a business owner, you might wonder, “what is the role of technology in business?”. Even contractors whose work is largely physical labor can benefit from advanced technology in their sector.
If a roofing company sends a project coordinator to a client’s home with a tablet and some proprietary design software, the coordinator can demonstrate different roofing options to a client on-site, increasing their chances of making a same-day sale. While most would consider roofing to be a low-tech industry, using advanced technologies can help a roofing contractor outpace their competitors.
The truth is, all companies use some degree of technology in their operations. Common uses of technology in business include:
Your business technology can make or break your business model. Inadequate business technology solutions can cost you sales, client relationships, and may allow your competitors to take a larger market share in your industry. Ensuring that your technology solutions are adequate now and as your company grows can give you the edge in operations, data protection, and client communications.
Your technology solutions should make it easy to communicate with key partners, whether it’s your coworker down the hall or a multi-billion dollar client on the other side of the globe.
Whether securing your building or your data, your technology needs the latest upgrades to keep up with new methods of physical and data theft.
Upgraded hardware like new MRI machines, computerized sheet metal cutting tools, and new model all-in-one printers can all make tasks more efficient by increasing speed and accuracy.
Slow or outdated technology can add hours of additional work every day to employee workloads. Updated technology solutions allow employees to complete tasks in a timely manner for higher productivity.
Improved efficiency and fewer calls to your IT provider makes for faster, more accurate completion of tasks before deadlines.
Technology domains are the four categories of business technology. Each category functions within its own space, and companies utilize each category differently to fit their respective industries and individual operations. The categories connect through infrastructure, security, and data technologies.
Any technology that affects or interacts with the customer experience is customer interfacing technology.
Technology embedded within a product that enhances its function that the company still controls and can monitor or interact with “as-a-Service” is product technology.
Manufacturing and mechanical systems use operational technology to complete and monitor tasks for both human and automated operators.
Business process technology supports daily operations for business functions, such as transactions, customer relationship management (CRM) software, and typical office IT solutions like printing and email.
When developing a business technology IT strategy for your business, one of the first things you need to know is your existing technology inventory. Once you know what you have, you can plan for what you need. Learn about which devices your company owns, how many, and update your registry of which employees have access to certain devices. Technology to inventory includes:
When developing your IT strategy to coincide with your business goals, you need an experienced partner in business IT management. At Succurri, we’ve proudly served our neighbors in the greater Seattle area from our offices in Everett, WA. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a consultation for business technology solutions.