There have been numerous crucial advances in business technology in the last couple of years, with nearly all of them created through the ubiquitous access to broadband internet access, improving software development tools, and the scalability and accuracy of data centers.
Here are seven business technology advancements that have had a significant impact on operations and interactions.
Business Management Applications
Thanks to business management applications like Salesforce, it brought the concept of cloud-based business applications to mainstream business operations, making overall tasks and procedures more straightforward and faster. These apps can help automate repetitive tasks like managing marketing campaigns and keeping track of employee progress and personal information, like how an AT&T employee’s pension status and contributions of each employee.
Email and Office Applications
For most businesses, email and office applications like the iconic Microsoft Office 365 have eliminated the need for in-house email servers and desktop email clients. However, many people still choose to use desktop email clients. Although desktop spreadsheets, documents, and presentation slide applications have more features than their cloud counterparts, cloud-based apps are continually advancing.
Integration Applications
Because of robust Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and the absence of corporate firewalls, business owners can now integrate different essential files and documents among cloud-based applications using mobile apps like Tibco or Zapier. Regardless of the cloud-based apps used, integrating apps has never been this easy—allowing business owners and their team members to communicate more clearly.
This business technology advancement provides several benefits to companies and their employees, including the easy flow of information between software applications within and outside the company and the chance of consolidating data collection efforts. Integration of application also offers business owners the opportunity to create a single point of access for any information their employees may need, encouraging better collaboration between workers—promoting productivity and seamless operations.
Customer Self-Service and Feedback
Because of the advancements in business technology, the industry has seen a quick transition from live or human customer service to comprehensive self-service. Customers can now get their queries answered immediately through automated customer self-service applications and websites like Zendesk or Lithium. Additionally, customer feedback applications have enabled software developers to improve business websites’ end-user experience based on customers’ needs and demands.
These business applications have also added self-service functionalities, providing customers with 24/7 services in the long run anywhere and anytime.
Content Management System
Thanks to the advancements in business technology, companies can now build corporate websites on WordPress and Wix platforms without any web designing experience. You don’t need to be fluent in CSS, HTML, and JavaScript techniques to create websites and update them. Because of this, businesses of any size can now seamlessly modify most content without hiring web developers.
The business use for internet videos have significantly grown by leaps and bounds in the last couple of years, with more brands creating YouTube, Vimeo, and TikTok accounts as part of their marketing and training strategies. Additionally, some also provide podcasts, representing episodic audio content for potential customers.
Virtualization
On business premises, computing is still being used. However, the days of IT staff creating separate physical services for each application are dwindling as virtualization technology becomes more advanced. Through server virtualization with items like VMWare and XenServer, IT departments can now manage several servers with ease while minimizing physical resources—making the overall process more convenient and faster for everyone.
Additionally, through virtualization software, IT professionals can provision servers more economically.
Facial Recognition and Location Services
This business technology advancement provides a connection between customers’ online accounts and offline browsing. No matter where a customer is searching or shopping, they will experience personalized recommendations depending on their preferences and purchase history, resulting in a more efficient, productive, and enjoyable purchasing journey.
Robotic Process Automation
This technological advancement is one of the best examples of advanced systems for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Automated robots are perfect for carrying out repetitive tasks quicker and more accurate than human counterparts, streamlining business operations and saving operators more money while producing better results. Automated robots are pieces of software specifically configured to perform specific tasks, ranging from data entry or gathering and general supply chain management.
This business technology allows businesses to continue operating complex functions 24/7 without human assistance, creating more accurate results. It will enable human employees to focus on more significant tasks at hand, spelling better brands’ success in the long run.
Business technology is evolving, introducing many new and ever-improving developments, ranging from artificial intelligence to robotic automation. The advancements mentioned are helping brands reach out to more customers than ever before, building engagement, and driving more sales—leading businesses to long-term success, and things are only going to get better from here.
