For many business owners, even the idea that technology could, in any way, be a hindrance is seen as being absurd. The fact is that our brains have become programmed to see technology as just another part of life, the concept of businesses being run without it, it a somewhat foreign one for most entrepreneurs.
There is no doubt about it when it comes to running a business technology has become a vital resource, from smartphones to cloud computing, very few brands could survive without these resources. However, that’s not to say that technology is always helpful, sometimes it can be a hindrance more than anything else. So, with that in mind, is technology more of a hinderance or more of a help? It’s time to find out.
How does technology help businesses?
The ways in which technology helps businesses is tenfold. There are so many uses of tech in business; it’s impossible to discuss them all. From using apps on smartphones and tablets to deal with business tasks while on the go to using cloud computing to more easily and more securely store important documents and data, technology has become vital for businesses of all shapes and sizes.
There are some businesses that rely purely on technology to run, like virtual businesses and manufacturers, for instance. Without the highly skilled technology that has been developed, these businesses wouldn’t be able to effectively run. Take many manufacturers, for instance, many factories are now partly or completely automated, using CAD manufacturing to speed up the process of putting together various products, helping to cut costs and increase production speed. Today’s products, such as smartphones, are so complex that humans most probably wouldn’t be able to build them by hand like we did with products 40 years ago.
For many businesses, technology has become ingrained in the very fabric of their venture and is a vital part of how successful it is.
How can technology hinder businesses?
The concept that technology could be more of a hindrance than a help to businesses is not something that many business owners would agree with, of course, it’s not. But what they most probably would be able to relate to, is that when technology goes wrong or doesn’t work as it should, that’s when it becomes a hindrance.
Take laptops and computers, their software, servers, and data is all crucial for running a business successfully. However, should a server go down or a computer just stop working for one reason or another, this can lead to the company being unable to complete work to the deadlines that are in place. This is when technology becomes a hindrance. However, for companies that have on-site IT support or managed IT services, any IT issues can be swiftly dealt with. Investing in adequate support is crucial for businesses of all shapes and sizes when technology is relied on.
The key to ensuring that technology doesn’t become a hindrance is to ensure that for every piece of tech that a company uses, that there is adequate support in place. From smartphones to websites, from time to time problems will occur, but if there’s support on hand, they can be swiftly dealt with.
In business, technology has become a vital resource, but there’s no denying that at times it can hinder progress, such as when problems occur, and things don’t run as they should do.