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Small Business in the Dynamic Landscape of Technology

As technology moves forward at a breakneck pace, small businesses have been changing to keep up with it. Small Businesses spent a massive $686 billion on IT in 2017, and that number will continue to grow in 2018 and beyond. However, 45% of Small Businesses don’t even have a website, which is surprising considering how mobile apps and websites save over 725 million employee hours annually. If any small business wants to succeed, it’s essential to stay in-the-know about new technology and embrace innovations to help reduce costs and increase efficiency.

Small Business Trends published an article on the “Checklist of Essential Small Business Technology in 2017”. Here are a few of its main points:

  • Technology allows for better and easier communication, even allowing some small business employees to work from home or remotely. Virgin Media Business predicts that 60 percent of office-based employees will regularly work from home by 2022!
  • Mobile technology has grown massively, with over 50% of all US consumer traffic coming from mobile platforms. That means mobile must be a priority for everyone!
    • You can improve the experience of mobile users by improving website design, creating a dedicated app, and allowing for easy payment methods like Microsoft Wallet, Apple Pay, or a mobile credit card reader.
  • Marketing Automation Software allows companies to market with greater efficiency by finding leads, segmenting messages for specific groups, and automatic responses to certain customer actions. Also, there are great tools for Consumer Resource Management!
  • Cyber Security software can help safeguard your information, which is important as small businesses use more and more technology.

The federal government is very particular about how it purchases products and services. Being able to navigate online RFP’s or government contract bids is a critical component to many small businesses. One error or oversight on these online applications could get your company thrown out of the running. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of Pittsburgh has teamed up with Riverside Center for Innovation, offering educational and computer workshops at the new CoLab18 in Nova Place on Pittsburgh’s Northside.

Join us and let us help you maximize the possibilities utilizing research and technology.