Updating your businesses technology can have a huge impact on the productivity of your organization. But it can also be stressful, time-consuming, expensive, and even counterproductive. If you’re considering updating your business tech, then consider these six tips to make sure you update the right technology, get buy-in from users, and see positive results.
Talk To All the End Users
This might seem obvious, but technology projects are much more likely to fail if the end users aren’t involved in selecting the technologies and planning their adoption. If you’re thinking about any change to commonly-used software systems, then make sure you talk to as many of the users as possible and get them onboard before making the switch. That way you can make sure that you are really making the best technology choice for your business.
Think About Your Medium-Term Needs
Technology changes quickly and prices tend to drop as new models and technologies gain wider adoption. Because of this constant shift in technologies and prices, it doesn’t make sense to think too far ahead. Figure out what you need to meet your goals for the next 3-4 years and focus on acquiring that technology. Technology is always changing so fast that thinking too far in the future now can end up hurting you down the road.
Don’t Underestimate the Need for Training
As mentioned earlier, poor adoption is one thing that kills technology projects. If you want to get the most from your technology updates, then you need to make sure that everyone knows how to use the technology. Make sure that any update plan includes training or some type of orientation so that everyone can take advantage of the new features or tools available with the appropriate data security policies. It is also a good idea to have some IT professionals on hand while everyone is learning this new technology. That way they are able to quickly help anyone that stands in need of it.
Look for Low-Hanging Fruit
Not every technology update needs to be monumental or super-exciting. Sometimes the smallest changes are the ones that have the biggest impact. Look for small updates that can help a lot of people. For example, you might install more wireless routers or repeaters so that Wi-Fi reception is better across your office. This is definitely something that can help make the lives of your employees a lot easier.
See What IT Can Do For You
IT people will have a very different perspective on technology than your average user because they not only need to know how to use different technologies, but how to repair them, and source them. If you’re considering a technology update, then make sure to talk to an IT professional to get their perspective on what updates will provide the highest ROI and the least amount of headaches.
Don’t Be “Penny-wise & Pound-Foolish”
You might suffer a few cases of sticker shock when looking at different technology updates. But don’t let the price tag alone deter you from making technology buys. You’ll need to consider both the initial cost, the long-term expense, and how much time or money the update can save you. In many cases, a technology purchase will pay for itself in a few years.
Updates Can Accelerate Your Business Growth
Bring new or updated technology into your workplace has its risks, but the benefits far outweigh them. With the right technology, you and your organization may be able to automate tasks, simplify processes, or even create new products or services. The opportunity is there if you align your tech with your needs and use the tips we just covered.
Overall, modernizing and updating technology in your workplace can really help improve your employees as well as your overall office. Your clients will also be impressed with how up to date your office is. In order to find the best and most modern technology for you, it is a good idea to work with an IT professional, such as those with Ottawa IT services, they can really help you find the best new technology for your business. This is a great way to improve business and utilize your technology to its fullest potential.