Technology may be getting simpler from an end-user perspective but, behind the scenes, it has never been more complicated. Today, businesses have to contend with an increasingly diverse tech landscape that comprises traditional in-house computing resources, cloud-hosted solutions, and mobile devices. Implementing the latest technologies in the workplace comes with both risk and opportunity, and the future of your business depends on how you integrate these technologies with your existing infrastructure. Here are three of the biggest challenges you’ll need to overcome:
#1. Lack of specialized knowledge
Enterprise technology continues to evolve at a rate most businesses can’t keep up with. With millions of unfilled positions in cybersecurity alone, many organizations are struggling to maintain efficient in-house IT departments or find technical partners they can depend on. The skills shortage also means that, even if you do find the necessary talent, they’re often prohibitively expensive, especially for smaller businesses. Furthermore, integrating newer technologies is more challenging because a lot of newer systems require professionals with highly specialized skills to get them to work with legacy systems. At the same time, starting from scratch is hardly a desirable option given the rate of technological obsolescence.
Fortunately, managed services providers (MSPs) can help close the talent gap without the high costs. A dependable MSP partner serves to augment your existing IT department, if you have one, rather than replace it outright. Such a partnership also tends to cost less, since services are provided on demand.
Related article: The many benefits of technology integration for your business
#2. Not aligning technology with business goals
The world of technology has always been driven by hype. Many vendors will encourage you to adopt new technology simply because it’s new. Indeed, there are many useful technologies, but there are other “solutions” that are only designed to sell. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution either, since every organization has its own set of requirements. It’s important to consider IT as a process rather than a solution — something that’s constantly evolving and changing to meet the demands of today’s dynamic market. If all you’re doing is chasing after the latest new tech just because that’s what everyone else is doing, you’ll never get the return on investment you hope for.
Again, tapping the right experts is crucial when selecting and integrating new technology in the workplace. A good technical partner is one who’s prepared to sit down and ask questions to learn about your business and its operational goals. It’s imperative that you’re able to match these goals with technical specifications, as well as consider your current IT environment.
#3. Failing to get buy-in from your employees
Poor technology choices are the source of some of the most common complaints employees have about their jobs. Although many people love learning how to use technology, people will soon change their minds if they find themselves facing reliability and compatibility issues. If they end up spending more time trying to find inadequate workarounds than doing their jobs, it won’t be long before productivity and morale start to suffer. Moreover, if they don’t recognize the benefits of the new technology in terms of how it makes their jobs easier and adds value to the organization, you’ll end up with a very poor return on investment.
Related article: Questions to ask when implementing new technology
Since your employees will be the ones actually using the new technology, it’s important that you have their support from the outset. Chances are, their inputs will be just as valuable as top-level feedback from executive management. Whoever’s in charge of your integration strategy needs to help your staff appreciate the benefits and get excited about them. It’s about building a culture of innovation by promoting a deep understanding of your business problems and training your employees accordingly.
Online Computers is a full-service MSP that provides expert advice and systems integration specialists to help you get more out of your IT investments.
Don’t know what technology is right for your business? Read our comprehensive post about the 8 Most common IT mistakes, and how SMBs can avoid them. In today’s business environment, SMBs need to be tech-savvy in order to get ahead of the competition. But you don’t have to be a geek to be knowledgeable about technology. At Online Computers, we strive to educate our clients of the power of technology and how they can utilize it to enhance their business. Want to be smarter about IT? Get in touch with us today.
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