Top 10 Technology Trends for Business in 2020

This year a number of emerging trends in technology have had an impact on how people do business. Cloud service and data management providers have been running the show, due to the increased threat to cybersecurity. Advances in production have been made with the introduction of artificial intelligence, and many fields have benefited from automated transactions. Let’s take a look at what different companies have been investing in, and what is currently in store for the future of business. Here are ten technology trends that have been developing in business so far in 2020. 

Alternative Payment Methods

The shift has been mainly from credit or debit card transactions to other forms of online payments. This improves transaction speed, security, and efficiency. Innovations in technology allow payments and money transfers to be made remotely. Apps such as Square and Paypal have been making business owners’ lives easier for a while now.  

Now that businesses tend to have a variety of accounts set up, Open Banking is another example of financial innovation. Advances in artificial intelligence and security mean that business owners can receive an overview of accounts from different banks at the same time. Here are the main types of alternative payment methods trending in 2020. 

Account-Account Transactions

Account-account transactions are becoming more common. Tide is an example of a new app that enables users to make sales directly from a business account. The main purpose being a time-saving device, business accounts will also save companies money by cutting out the middleman. Of course, as with any new payment service, there are predictable security risks such as identity theft.

Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies

Blockchain allows data to be stored across thousands of servers worldwide. It’s made up of a list of interlinked records. Blockchain has exploded with the arrival of cryptocurrencies.

Cryptocurrencies are popular because they’re quick and easy, not to mention a more secure way to pay online. Another positive is that they don’t need to be converted into any other currency, if you pay in bitcoin, for example, the payment is received in bitcoin. Blockchain could be great for your small business, as it allows you to store data more securely across multiple locations.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already present in more fields than you might think. In manufacturing AI is used to allow learning robots to assist human workers, learning, and evolving as they go. AI also plays a part in customer service for many companies. The technology can interact with customers in place of a real human customer service rep, this way it can save you time finding solutions to problems and addressing complaints. Five9, in partnership with Google Cloud, is an example of how AI technology is integrated with customer service. 

Autonomous Driving

Self-driving cars are being developed, so this could be a trend you’ll see being implemented into many businesses. Tesla has released semi-autonomous cars that rely on the Autopilot system. The latest models offer some automated features already and come with the promise that later it will be possible to upgrade them to full self-driving capabilities in the future. The software itself is set up so that it can be programmed to be updated when the technology is released on the market.

Ford is planning a range of driverless cars for 2021. They plan to employ radar technology, 3D mapping, and camera sensors to produce a car with no need for human intervention. The technology at the moment is based on surround cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and an enhanced processing radar, that boasts that it can detect data even through harsher weather conditions. The technology, therefore, is stated to work better than human senses.

Cybersecurity

The COVID-19 crisis has brought about new IT challenges. The main reason for this is that organizations have needed to adapt quickly to operational and functional challenges. Current security protocols have had to be overlooked, and many may not apply to new systems and tools that have hastily been put in place. This level of uncertainty can be exploited by cyberattackers.

There are plenty of other reasons why security might be at risk. It could be due to accessibility settings, or older software. Without adequate software, your PCs will not be compatible with the latest security updates. Hardware also needs to be regularly updated, as any failure could also increase the risk. If you need anything repaired it’s a good idea to sort it out immediately for the sake of security. Search online for computer and printer repair near me.

Many businesses are now using managed service providers and cloud hosting to secure their data. If your server has reached capacity or you don’t have the technology to securely maintain the data, it’s possible to outsource this to another host. This is known as colocation hosting and several companies offer this service. Check out the best colocation providers at the moment. This will keep your data secure at a remote location. 

Data Turnaround

Even though people are suddenly very aware of the importance of data security and privacy, it’s becoming a trend to allow third parties access to your data to help your business. With advances in fintech particularly it’s actually becoming a trend to make your data more disposable and accessible. It’s been predicted that businesses will use secure technology to make their data available to third parties to complete services or transactions. In the financial sector, the pressure is being applied to allow data to be shared with other providers, for example with Open Banking. The increase in data security enables this.

You also have to think about the data security and privacy issues of your consumers. This is why it’s vital to make sure your website is asking for the appropriate consent around cookies, and why you might want to run a cookie checker to check that you are actually doing this. If you can do that right, you might find that you are going to have a much better chance of managing data properly.

Edge Computing

The “edge” refers to the edge of your network where data is collated, rather than in a centralized data-processing warehouse. This means that large amounts of data are processed near the source where it’s generated. This reduces cost with high internet bandwidth usage and allows applications to respond in record time, even remotely. Because of its close proximity edge computing allows sensitive information to be filtered and is a much cheaper option. Read more about how edge computing has entered the mainstream. 

Facial Recognition Technology

According to a 2018 study, 62% of businesses were already using some sort of biometrics as a security measure. Fingerprint and iris scanners along with voice and facial recognition is becoming more common in a variety of fields and devices.

Face scanners are being used to allow admission to the Tokyo Olympics 2021 for example. So far the general public has been very accepting of facial recognition technology. Seen as it has been so well received, it’s likely to keep trending in a number of areas. This once futuristic seeming security measure has brought peace of mind and trust to a lot of people. 

Natural Language Generation (NLG)

Many citizens have happily brought this into their homes with the likes of Alexa and Amazon Echo. The technology is advancing beyond just being a talking radio, and it’s humanizing effect on data means it can now provide insights into everyday life, not to mention business. The NLG devices can be used to display data and information in real-time and by voice activation control. 

There has been a lot of development in the virtual voice experience technology. It’s now being implemented in customer service and online chats. With the combination of AI technology, the software can almost replace human customer service agents. Many consumers still prefer to speak with a real person however, so it might take some time to gain trust and popularity. 

3D Printing

This is just an example of the advances in design and production technology that has really taken off. 3D printing is not just experimental anymore and used only for prototypes. In fact, it has moved on to high volume production. If your business is looking to invest in this groundbreaking technology you can integrate it into your factory line. Your investment will be compensated fully by increased production speed, efficiency, and accuracy.

The Introduction of 5G

This has been a controversial topic already without a lot of polemic and misunderstanding around 5G technology. Currently, 5G is present in a number of mobile phone networks across the globe. It provides increased speed and high-quality video streaming. It’s possibly the future of connectivity in business because this is the way many companies are going. Virtual conferencing has become the norm, with only technological issues such as a poor connection getting in the way. It also gives businesses the opportunity to save on overheads as employees can all work remotely. 

The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on business has made the world see how much we rely on advances in technology. The way in which businesses have had to adapt quickly to the WFH transition has been pretty much successful due to digital resources. Without cloud backup and remote communication devices, it would have been more challenging for everyone to work from home. Changes have certainly been made on how people do daily tasks and this will only lead to interesting developments for the future of business. 

Finding Trustworthy Machining Saws for Your Shop

Running an efficient machine shop requires an understanding of the various tools necessary for its operation. These include things like metal saws that can cut your parts and sheets. There are many options from which you can choose here, each of which may have different benefits.

For example, you may find various Pat Mooney saws or tools from other manufacturers that may meet your needs. Understanding the varying options available for you can ensure that you get fantastic results and give you a unique machining experience that will help you make more money.

Why Saws are Important

Machining is a complex process that includes many tools and processes. These items can vary depending on what products you make, though some tools are almost always essential. For example, saws are an important part of just about any machine shop because they can help you:

• Cut Metal Sheets: Cutting metal is always a challenging process but finding the best metal saws will ensure that you create high-quality sheets with minimal burring or deformity.

• Size Up Your Parts: Saws can help you create varying sheet sizes and produce a unique array of different products that improve your overall production quality.

• Produce More Precise Parts: High-quality saws can not only cut and shape your sheets but create precise parts that fit easily into your production line and help your customers.

• Enhance Your Overall Operation: Using multiple saws in your shop can give you the diverse array of operations that you need to suit the production requirements of many clients.

When choosing the best saws for your needs, it is important to take the time to work with a company that you can trust. Find a manufacturer who fully understands careful saw creation and do what you can to find and install machines that make the most sense for your team's operation.

Finding Great Saws

When shopping for the different metal saws available to you, it is important to understand exactly how they operate to ensure that you find an option that suits your company. Just a few different saw options that may make the most sense for your company and its machining needs include diverse options such as:

• Automatic bandsaws that create perfect cuts without requiring a lot of hands-on work

• Hand bandsaws that your team can use when creating customized parts

• Circular saws that can cut through various metal pieces with minimal difficulty

• Metal-specific saws that can cut through steel, aluminum, and other common materials

• Automatic up cut saws that create a burr-free finish that works well for your metal parts

Should you buy multiple saws to suit your specific machining needs? That all depends on your budget and how much money you have to spend. It is typically better to have a diverse shop with multiple tool options, so do what you can to fund and install as many machines as possible.

Getting the Best Saws for Your Needs

The most important thing that you can do for your machine shop is to give it the tools that it needs to be successful. This process can include many steps, each of which may benefit you. Taking the time to identify important saws and other tools can give you a heads-up over your competitors.

That said, it is important to make sure that you take this process carefully to ensure that you don't find tools that seem vital but which do little for your shop. Balance your saws with other tools, like press brakes, to ensure that you can provide balanced services and products for your customers.

Consideration to make ‌when‌ ‌selecting ‌the‌ ‌right‌ ‌PLS‌ ‌for‌ ‌your‌ ‌business‌ ‌need‌

Adopting custom software can be the best product to use to ensure every department within your organization is functioning well. Modern industry relies so much on computers to handle almost everything from networking to automation. However, it would be best if you had a proper control system solution in your organization. A regular computer may not be able to fulfill all these control system needs. Fortunately for you, there are PLS programs to help you handle any application that your business needs.

You will need the services of an experienced P L C Programming Company to install all the programs that will suit your company's needs.‌‌ ‌Here‌ ‌are‌ ‌the‌ ‌essential‌ ‌considerations‌ ‌that‌ ‌should‌ ‌guide‌ ‌you‌ ‌in‌ ‌choosing‌ ‌an experienced service provider.

Speed‌ ‌of‌ ‌CPU‌ ‌

Your‌ ‌CPU‌ ‌processing‌ ‌ability‌ ‌has‌ ‌to‌ ‌be‌ ‌quick‌ ‌enough‌ ‌to‌ ‌handle‌ ‌multiple‌ ‌in‌ ‌and‌ ‌out‌ ‌‌data‌ ‌flow‌‌ ‌collected‌ ‌for‌ ‌your‌ ‌application.‌ ‌Further,‌ ‌having‌ ‌enough‌ ‌memory‌ ‌space‌ ‌is‌ ‌essential,‌ ‌too,‌ ‌depending‌ ‌on‌ ‌how‌ ‌many‌ ‌devices‌ ‌you‌ ‌have.‌ ‌Another‌ ‌factor‌ ‌is‌ ‌the‌ ‌scan‌ ‌time.‌ ‌In‌ ‌this‌ ‌case,‌ ‌it‌ ‌is‌ ‌the‌ ‌amount‌ ‌of‌ ‌time‌ ‌that‌ ‌a‌ ‌CPU‌ ‌can‌ ‌perform‌ ‌a‌ ‌cycle‌ ‌of‌ ‌collecting‌ ‌inputs,‌ ‌run‌ ‌the‌ ‌PLC‌ ‌program,‌ ‌and‌ ‌update‌ ‌them‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌outputs.‌ ‌Additionally,‌ ‌the‌ ‌program‌ ‌memory‌ ‌that‌ ‌your‌ ‌CPU‌ ‌will‌ ‌have‌ ‌will‌ ‌determine‌ ‌the‌ ‌kind‌ ‌of‌ ‌instructions‌ ‌and‌ ‌type‌ ‌of‌ ‌program‌ ‌you‌ ‌plan‌ ‌to‌ ‌use.‌ ‌ ‌

The‌ ‌type‌ ‌of‌ ‌communication‌ ‌protocols‌ ‌

The‌ ‌type‌ ‌of‌ ‌communication‌ ‌protocol‌ ‌to‌ ‌use‌ ‌in‌ ‌your‌ ‌system‌ ‌is‌ ‌another‌ ‌crucial‌ ‌factor‌ ‌in‌ ‌PLC‌ ‌selection.‌ ‌You‌ ‌need‌ ‌to‌ ‌know‌ ‌which‌ ‌variety‌ ‌of‌ ‌devices‌ ‌or‌ ‌networks‌ ‌your‌ ‌PLC‌ ‌will‌ ‌be‌ ‌communicating‌ ‌with.‌ Sometimes,‌ ‌you‌ ‌will‌ ‌find‌ ‌some‌ ‌PLC‌ ‌equipped‌ ‌with‌ ‌communication‌ ‌slots.‌ ‌Others‌ ‌will‌ ‌need‌ ‌to‌ ‌add‌ ‌other‌ ‌communication‌ ‌modules.‌ ‌Other‌ ‌options‌ ‌will‌ ‌need‌ ‌to‌ ‌carry‌ ‌out‌ ‌remote‌ ‌communication‌ ‌via‌ Ethernet‌ ‌or‌ ‌build‌ ‌multiple‌ ‌communication‌ ‌types‌ ‌that‌ ‌your‌ ‌system‌ ‌needs.‌ ‌

System‌ ‌requirements‌ ‌

The‌ ‌task‌ ‌that‌ ‌a‌ ‌system‌ ‌you‌ ‌want‌ ‌to‌ ‌use‌ ‌in‌ ‌your‌ ‌company‌ ‌will‌ ‌be‌ ‌performing‌ ‌will‌ ‌determine‌ ‌what‌ ‌kind‌ ‌of‌ ‌PLC‌ ‌you‌ ‌will‌ ‌need‌ ‌to‌ ‌purchase.‌ ‌Another‌ ‌factor‌ ‌to‌ ‌factor‌ ‌in‌ ‌is‌ ‌whether‌ ‌you‌ ‌will‌ ‌have‌ ‌to‌ ‌build‌ the‌ ‌application‌ ‌system‌ ‌from‌ ‌scratch‌ ‌or‌ ‌if‌ ‌you‌ ‌will‌ ‌have‌ ‌to‌ ‌improve‌ ‌on‌ ‌an‌ ‌already‌ ‌existing‌ ‌system.‌ ‌These‌ ‌factors‌ ‌are‌ ‌crucial‌ ‌because‌ ‌you‌ ‌need‌ ‌to‌ ‌match‌ ‌PLC‌ ‌functionality‌ ‌with‌ ‌the‌ ‌tasks‌ ‌you‌ ‌have‌ ‌at‌ hand‌ ‌and‌ ‌any‌ ‌current‌ ‌product.‌ ‌

‌Programming‌ ‌

You‌ ‌need‌ ‌to‌ ‌know‌ ‌your‌ ‌programming‌ ‌requirements,‌ ‌such‌ ‌as‌ ‌basic‌ ‌programming‌ ‌instructions‌ ‌or‌ ‌special‌ ‌programming‌ ‌needs.‌ ‌Will‌ ‌you‌ ‌need‌ ‌to‌ ‌use‌ ‌assembly‌ ‌language‌ ‌or‌ ‌use‌ ‌a‌ ‌higher-level‌ ‌language‌ ‌system? ‌ ‌This‌ ‌will‌ ‌help‌ ‌you‌ ‌choose‌ ‌a‌ ‌program‌ ‌that‌ ‌is‌ ‌easy‌ ‌to‌ ‌use,‌ ‌maintain‌ ‌and‌ ‌troubleshoot.‌ ‌

Environmental‌ ‌requirements‌ ‌

Although‌ ‌most‌ ‌PLCs‌ ‌programs‌ ‌are‌ ‌built‌ ‌to‌ ‌handle‌ ‌the‌ ‌harsh‌ ‌physical‌ ‌environment,‌ ‌some‌ ‌issues‌ ‌like‌ ‌vibration,‌ ‌temperatures,‌ ‌dust,‌ ‌or‌ ‌specific‌ ‌facility‌ ‌‌codes‌‌ ‌may‌ ‌impact‌ ‌your‌ ‌application.‌ ‌For‌ instance,‌ ‌extreme‌ ‌temperatures‌ ‌may‌ ‌cause‌ ‌problems.‌ ‌The‌ ‌typical‌ ‌operating‌ ‌range‌ ‌for‌ ‌a‌ ‌PLC‌ ‌is‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌range‌ ‌of‌ ‌0-55‌ ‌degrees‌ ‌Celsius.‌ ‌In‌ ‌your‌ ‌facility,‌ ‌if‌ ‌the‌ ‌temperature‌ ‌falls‌ ‌outside‌ ‌these‌ temperature‌ ‌ranges.‌ ‌You‌ ‌will‌ ‌have‌ ‌to‌ ‌search‌ ‌for‌ ‌other‌ ‌potential‌ ‌PLC‌ ‌companies‌ ‌to‌ ‌use‌ ‌more‌ ‌carefully.‌ ‌

4 Technological Devices To Use in Your Small Business

While small businesses aren't generally known for being technically oriented, tech can be highly beneficial for a growing company. It allows you to stay modernized and attractive to customers. You may not be able to obtain as much tech as larger businesses, but even a few devices can make a substantial difference. If you're unsure about what to get, here are four technological devices to use in your small business.

1. Printers

While the modern age calls for far more online documents, this doesn't mean that you should get rid of physical ones altogether. In fact, from making fliers to creating precise copies, the right printer can be highly beneficial to your company. There are also many different types of printers nowadays, so take the time to consider which one could work for your business. For instance, an industrial color printer might be excellent for an arts-based organization.

2. Mice

Not everyone can navigate a laptop perfectly. In fact, many individuals lose productivity while struggling with the touchpad in particular. It can be difficult to use, especially for those with less fine motor control. In order to circumvent this, you could get wireless mice that connect to these computers. Mice are generally easier to move around and might reduce stress levels in your employees.

3. Noise-Cancelling Headphones

If you can afford the funds to do so, getting noise-canceling headphones for your small business may be very helpful for productivity. Noise is a difficult thing to balance in a building, especially with the growing popularity of open space in offices. Too much noise can be very distracting, but too little may make your employees fidgety or bored. Unless your office space relies on verbal communication, using headphones can increase productivity by personalizing everyone's experience. Just be sure that you trust each employee to do assigned work while listening to other noise. 

4. External Storage Devices

Nowadays, businesses usually turn to online data storage to maintain safety and efficiency. This method also nearly ensures that data can't be lost. However, these storage systems aren't limitless. If you have a lot of data to save, it's likely that you'll run out of room eventually. In this case, it's vital to use external storage devices such as USB flash drives. These items, while not connected to the internet as a whole, can still contain your information in a digitized state.

Staying technologically updated can be difficult, to say the least. Therefore, instead of getting too caught up in every recent device, you should try to find products that will benefit you in particular. Spend wisely and use your tech to the fullest.

Using Business Technology to Cope with COVID-19

COVID-19 has created tough financial circumstances for people all over the world, especially when it comes to connecting with others. The good news is, technology offers a wide range of solutions when it comes to helping businesses cope with the climate COVID-19 has created. If you want to know more about how technology is helping businesses during the COVID-19 crisis, we've got you covered.

Connectivity

One of the most important benefits technology has to offer in the face of COVID-19 is the ability for people to connect no matter where they are. Industries all over the world rely on a connection between everybody involved in that industry, and those connections are tough to make when so many facilities are closed down. Technology allows people to work remotely and keep in touch with each other without having to make physical contact.

Another unique benefit to technology during the COVID-19 crisis is the way it's allowed education to continue on a somewhat normal path despite the disruptions. Students everywhere are attending classes through online chatting and screen-sharing programs, making it easier for both teachers and students to communicate with each other and learn.

Finances

If there's one thing that plays an important role in every type of business in the world, it's money. No matter how hard you try to focus on any other aspect of your business, you have to accept the fact that the money that funnels through your company is what keeps it alive. That being said, you can't afford to have a problem with your financial services that leaves you unable to pay vendors or receive payments you're owed.

Simple financial transactions are among the many benefits that technology provides when it comes to the business world. This is especially true when it comes to transferring money from one country to another for business purposes. If you need to transfer money to business associates in Mexico, there are plenty of services that make that a simple process. Years ago, transferring that money would have required a lot more paperwork and processing.

Outreach

Arguably the most important part of having technology on your side when it comes to running a business is how easy it makes outreach. There was a time when reaching out to a customer meant making a phone call or sending a letter via snail mail, but those times are all but gone thanks to technology. No matter where you are in the world, you can get in touch with your customers or prospective customers to make sure you're communicating the way a business should.

Call center services are one of the best ways to keep your business in touch with your customers during the COVID-19 crisis. During these times, customers want answers more than ever. Unfortunately, it's tough for people to be available during these times. By always having somebody there to answer your phones, you don't have to worry about whether or not your customers are reaching someone when they call your number.

If you aren't able to hire a call center service, you might consider investing in an automated response service. These services allow you to respond to emails and contact requests automatically to let your customers know that somebody will be in contact with them shortly.

Running a successful business isn't easy, especially during the trying times of the COVID-19 crisis. The good news is, technology is on your side when it comes to overcoming obstacles. If you want your business to succeed in these tough times, leveraging technology is one of the best things you can do.

9 Essential Apps for your Business

As a small business owner, you might not have the manpower to support several different departments so it’s necessary to stay up to date with the latest advances in technology to keep things running as smoothly as possible. You can utilize various apps to do your work for you. Cutting edge technology not only helps you to provide a better service but also makes a good impression on the client and you appear more legitimate. Here are some examples of essential apps to get your business booming.

Dragon Anywhere

The number one voice recognition app is Dragon Anywhere. This app boasts powerful voice editing and formatting and you also get unlimited dictation to the cloud. 

Gusto

Dealing more with staff and payroll, you save on a whole department. Gusto handles all of your tax deductions, benefits, and other issues and emails everything automatically to your employees as well. 

HubSpot CRM

HubSpot assists you with sales and transactions. With an extensive range of online tools, it aims to provide an all-in-one approach. Essentially a digital sales department, the CRM product tracks and manages interactions between a company and its customers and prospects. It allows you to analyze and forecast your revenue. It’s also free and integrates well with all common, modern software.  

Pocket

Pocket is an app that means you can save any information and read it later. Things like articles, videos, web pages, and emails, or whatever you can’t read at the moment. Being busy running your own company you won’t always have the time to read everything, so it’s easier to save it for later. 

Social Media apps

Instagram 

Instagram is the most effective way to market your business as there are millions of active users and 70% of people are reported to view a business page before buying. Set up an account and post as often as you can.

Facebook Pixel

This allows you to advertise on Facebook. You have to pay for the adverts but the service is very effective. 

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the most well-known app for facilitating business connections. This will help you to increase your client base and also to get in touch and network with other business owners. 

Square

Square is an app that allows you to set up a point of sale and take card payments for example. You can make online and offline payments and it also helps to grow your business with real-time analytics. This will allow you to have a quick and easy process for invoicing and payments. Many devices can be equipped for card payments which means you make transactions anywhere. 

Wave accounting

Wave accounting, on the other hand, manages your companies finances. It keeps track of sales, invoices, expenses, receipts, and general reports. This helps you to keep an eye on all of your transactions without an accounting department. 

With the technology in place, you will likely need a support system, however. It’s advisable to get in touch with an IT consultancy firm like www.techsquared.com to help you stay on top of any technical issues.

Essential Tools That Every Startup Has to Utilize for Success

When it comes to growing your business, the use of a variety of different tools becomes extremely important. These tools can help you achieve many things with your business, such as enabling different workflow improvements and also protecting your business data from cybersecurity threats. Even as a startup, it’s vital that you take advantage of as many as these tools as possible so that you can adjust your business infrastructure to take advantage of them.

Many of these tools are scalable solutions that can be adapted to your business in the future, but they can also be fitted retroactively, albeit at the cost of some additional work on your end. Alternatively, you can always reach out to an IT services provider to help you install, configure and utilize these different tools.

Cloud-Based Tools

Cloud-based tools are essential for any business that utilizes a set of remote features. For example, if you have a business that involves working with clients across the country, then giving your employees the ability to create and submit reports in real-time regardless of their location can be a huge advantage.

Cloud-based tools can include collaborative software, storage options, and even cloud-powered applications that take advantage of hardware that is located off-site. Below, we’ve included a couple of specific cloud-based software tools that are essential for your startup’s success, but it’s important to understand that there are many other cloud-based tools that we won’t be mentioned because they can be replaced in the future. This includes cloud-based accounting software, data storage, and office productivity tools.

Communication Tools

We also consider communication tools as an essential component of startup success. This can include VoIP communication tools to speak with clients and customers over the phone, but it can also mean internal communication software such as Slack which is used by employees and remote workers. With so many options available for communication, it’s important to look at the features that each software package has, the cost involved (if any), and also how scalable it is to your needs.

Communication tools are essential for keeping your team on the same page, but they can also be used to formally communicate with investors. This is where software can be used to set up virtual meetings with investors. This often includes the use of cameras and sophisticated software to share facts, figures, and other important data to your clients and investors while explaining it.

Customer Relationship Management Tools

CRM tools are great for helping you establish new leads, interacting with existing ones, and also communicating with clients on a regular basis. There are countless ways to take advantage of CRM software, but your options can vary greatly depending on the type of software you use.

In general, we suggest examining each CRM tool so you can understand their features and how they work. Most CRM software packages offer some kind of trial or even a free option with limited access to premium-level features. While they are used in conjunction with analytical tools, you don’t need full sets of data to start using them since much of the data is drawn from your interactions and engagements with your customers.

Analytics Tools

One of the best ways to examine your competition and view current market conditions is to use analytics tools such as the Whatagraph reporting tool. This tool can help you understand your position in the market and also your audience, giving you actionable sets of data that will grow your business and open up new options.

Using analytics tools can be difficult because you need to understand what data is useful to you and what should be ignored. It can be overwhelming to try and analyze large sets of data with no context, so make sure the quality of the data is high and from a trustworthy source. There are some sets of data that will need to be purchased, but this is usually an option reserved for larger businesses that need to understand everything that’s going on in the market.

Scheduling and Tracking Tools

Keeping your team on schedule is difficult without using a scheduling or tracking tool. These are essential for helping you stay organized, especially with a large team. However, these tools can also be used to plan future goals and establish roadmaps for your products.

We suggest taking a look at tools such as Trello if you’re looking for a scheduling tool that can be used online and shared with all of your team members. It can take a bit of time to learn all of Trello’s features, but it’s a fantastic tool that many professionals and large companies use to ensure that all of your team is on the same page. For larger businesses, it’s fairly common to see Trello being used by individual departments.

Cybersecurity Software

As your business grows, it’s vital to have security features that can keep your data safe. Between your business-related data and files to a customer’s personal information, you have to put a lot of work into establishing security measures that will protect this data.

Thankfully, there are many ways to improve your cybersecurity, and the heart of that comes from your cybersecurity software of choice. While simple to install, configuring it to your needs can be difficult especially if you have multiple computers or even networks to protect. We suggest speaking to a cybersecurity specialist, but you can also hire a full-time security team if your business is large enough to warrant that level of expertise and on-demand assistance.

VoIP

VoIP is a type of internet telephony that uses the internet instead of a traditional telephone line.

VoIP enabled phones are becoming more popular because they allow people to make and receive phone calls over the internet. The VoIP service provider will provide an app for the customer’s smartphone. This app can be used on tablets as well as smartphones. These apps can also be used for video conferencing, voice mail, and call forwarding.

Hopefully, this list of essential startup tools has given you some helpful advice on how to begin growing your business. We understand that working with a variety of different tools can be difficult, especially if you’re not accustomed to using them. Thankfully, there are plenty of easy-to-follow guides if you want to install or use them on your own. Alternatively, there are plenty of managed IT service providers that can help you get started with different types of startup tools for business growth.