While small businesses aren’t necessarily at the forefront of developing technologies, it doesn’t mean that they don’t play critical roles in the efficiency and growth of an organisation. Moreover, given the many changes over the last few years, tech trends will only continue growing in importance throughout the year and beyond. Here are a few technology trends to watch out for in 2022 if you run a small business.
5G rollout
There are more implications to 5G connectivity in business than people think. Its adoption may have begun in 2019, but that pandemic had slowed its rollout. Still, it can lead to faster data transmission than the previous generation could ever provide. Some mobile device manufacturers believe that it’ll have little to no delay regarding data transfer. And the effective elimination of latency can lead to more productivity and development of IoT.
Artificial intelligence
Machine learning and artificial intelligence have been popular topics in technology for many years, thanks to their numerous applications. For example, web data providers utilise the tech for gathering, organising, storing, and analysing data, turning them from unstructured formats into actionable insights for businesses. It’s also helped reshape the insurance sector by enhancing the pain points of insurers and creating better user experiences.
As more and more solutions incorporate intelligent technologies, small businesses will likely integrate them into both existing and new processes. It could mean various scenarios for implementation, ranging from more personalised experiences to voice assistants. In reality, AI trends are already included in areas like cybersecurity, market research, and CRM systems. And it’s likely to be used in other applications.
Monitoring software
After a couple of years of working remotely and quarantine lockdown, it isn’t surprising that some employees may not be queuing up for the prospect of getting back to the workplace. The fact is that remote work will continue, and hybrid working will increasingly become commonplace. While the shift to this new working approach has come with benefits to engagement, productivity, development, and culture, it’s also shown a need for technological solutions to navigating the challenges it presents.
One such tool is monitoring software for employees. With it, organisations can gain oversight of their remote workforces, including their level of performance and productivity. When selecting one, be sure to consider features like coverage for mobile devices and performance tracking functions.
Cybersecurity
One of the challenges of modern working practices is fraud, with data breaches and malicious software in response to the increasing use of domestic hardware over its workplace counterparts. As a result, more businesses today are susceptible to catastrophic cyberattacks, making cybersecurity more critical now than ever. Whether it’s practices, software solutions, or services, cybersecurity is now an essential component of any business.
Conclusion
In today’s digital age, technology pushes the world forward and drives business. For a small business to succeed, much less survive, it must remain on top of relevant technological trends. The ones mentioned above are some of the most common and widely used pieces of tech you should begin implementing if you haven’t yet.
