The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the world upside down this year. Businesses have been forced to find a way to function while their employees were confined to their homes.
Although there’s no overlooking the tragic elements of COVID-19, there has been a silver lining for many businesses. The trend of working from home has shown companies that they can operate remotely often more cost-effectively than in-office.
That said, companies have had to rely heavily on technology for the most basic business operations. As businesses slowly transition back to normality, many of these trends are certain to continue. Technology has a major role to play in the future of industry.
Here is a look at three technologies that can help your business to succeed in 2020 and beyond.
1. VoIP Phone Systems
VoIP phone systems are alternatives to landline phones that use voice-over IP technology to make and receive phone calls via an IP network. Regular phone lines use analog audio, whereas VoIP technology converts sound into a digital format to transmit over the internet.
Some of the major benefits of VoIP phone systems include the following:
- VoIP phone systems boast several features that landlines don’t have, including voicemail to text functions, video conferencing, and enhanced security.
- VoIP systems are cheaper to support, upgrade, and integrate with other technologies. They are also cheaper to service because they use an Internet connection and do not require onsite wiring or hardware.
- VoIP phones don’t require phone lines to be linked if you’re changing location.
- VoIP phones can be integrated with other business applications such as CRM systems.
2. Cloud Solutions
In 2020, many businesses are leveraging cloud solutions to store, share, and protect documents and information. There are countless benefits associated with the cloud, along with evidence that shows how it can improve business efficiency, reduce costs, and give a competitive advantage.
Some of the main benefits of using cloud solutions involve cost-effectiveness, security, flexibility, quality control, disaster recovery, loss prevention, automatic updates, and sustainability.
Dell reported that companies that invest in big data, cloud solutions, mobility, and security could avail of up to 53% faster revenue growth than the competition.
In the information age, the cloud is much more suited to sharing and protecting crucial information. It is optimal for remote working and will no doubt be a key business function for many years.
3. Cybersecurity & 24/7 System Monitoring
As all business takes on a more digital focus, cybercrime has become a very real threat. Important information relating to a business, their financial information, customer data, and other confidential documents are now connected to a business network. These are targeted by cybercriminals regularly.
In fact, there has been a 300% increase in cyber attacks since COVID-19, where hackers are targeting vulnerable home networks. It’s critical for businesses to have a high level, 24/7, system monitoring security software to protect their information. This is particularly important if there are employees with remote access to the network.
Preparing For The Future
Being prepared for the future is essential in business. Companies must take the necessary steps to be optimized in the long term. The technologies mentioned above do not only benefit businesses right now, but they are also key to success beyond 2020. What’s more, these technologies can be easily implemented by a reliable IT company who offers managed services to help fulfill your growing technology needs.
If your business has suffered during the coronavirus pandemic, these tools may be just what you need to get your company back on its feet and prepare for the future. Working with reliable professionals to ensure these services are optimized for your unique needs is also key to ensure your business can thrive for generations to come.