Using Business Technology To Your Advantage in 2021

In today’s world, technology shares a peaceful, functioning coexistence with businesses. For many consumers and business owners alike, it can be hard to pinpoint differences between the two—and there’s a good reason for that. Technology has advanced so much in the last few years that it’s become an integral part of many business operations. For example, when a consumer is interested in making a purchase, they’re more likely to search for items online.

Likewise, when a business team communicates with each other, they’re more likely to use digital platforms like Slack or Google Hangouts to do so. These types of interactions also extend to in-work tasks such as creating documents, holding video meetings with clients, and reaching out to consumers online. All technologies are continuously evolving with each passing year.

And 2021 is no exception. Here are a few key tips and trends that will help you use technology for your business in 2021 and beyond.

• Automation. Automation has been the talk of the technology industry for the last few years. Now, it’s fully integrated within business as more developments roll in. If you aren’t sure what automation is, here’s a quick rundown: it is the creation and use of technologies that produce goods and services with little or no human intervention. Tech experts predict that the field of automation will take off in the 2020s.

  For instance, the application of artificial intelligence within businesses is growing, as many business owners use it to strengthen their customer engagement strategies. A data report from the Fortune Business Insights also reports that the market size for artificial intelligence was valued at $27.23 billion in 2019. Along with artificial intelligence, tech developers are also creating apps and other technologies that perform different tasks in a quick and efficient way.

  2021 will be one of the most critical years for business technology. As a business owner, you need to be prepared to take advantage of any advancements to stay ahead of your competitors. Automation technology can be a key part in your business strategy as it can prevent common mistakes and save you money in the long-term.

• Big Data. Big Data refers to a large and complex volume of data that businesses manage on a regular basis. This amount of data is too complex to handle through traditional methods. Many businesses use this data to guide their decision making. The 2020s is the era of Big Data, with various programs designed to maintain the high volumes of data that’s accessed in a business. This includes data on website traffic, sales, or relevant customer information.

  Any business that’s able to obtain and analyze useful insights from their extensive data will see massive improvements in their infrastructure in 2021 and beyond. There are numerous softwares that can assist you with analyzing your data without needing to convert or reformat it, such as Apache Hadoop and Cloudera.

• Cybersecurity. Another big talk of the business tech industry is cybersecurity. Of course, you already know how important it is to protect your data from potential breaches. One of the most frightening statistics comes from review42, which states that “by 2021, a business will fall victim to ransomware every 11 seconds.” This is an increasing concern among businesses from different industries, and even large companies have become susceptible to breaches and cyberattacks in the past.

  To protect your data in 2021, you must consider the ways hackers and other threats perform breaches. It’s also a good idea to keep yourself up-to-date about digital data security legislations in different countries. This information will become the foundation to your cybersecurity strategy, whether it’s implementing a software that keeps your data safe or hiring a trusted data protection expert.

• Remote Working and Video Conferencing. There’s no doubt that 2020 brought countless changes to the workplace as a result of the pandemic, regardless of industry. Although remote working was a viable option for some businesses in previous years, its growth definitely boomed in 2020, as numerous businesses transitioned to remote working and video conferencing to continue operating outside of normal office areas. According to Inc.com, the expansion of remote working and videoconferencing is expected to continue throughout 2021, with household names like Zoom leading the facilitation of remote work across the globe.

  When the pandemic is over, however, it may be difficult to manage the current circumstances and transition back to normal office operations. You may decide to implement a system in which workers are able to work remotely or in-office, based on their preferences. This is easier said than done, of course. You’ll need to ensure your team is happy, and apply an online timetable that can help your business adjust to the “new normal”.

• Cloud-based Tech. In both the business and tech worlds, cloud-based platforms have been a massive game-changer. Cloud-based technology easily facilitates business continuity and support, especially for those working remotely. The need for this technology is only set to rise in 2021. In fact, the ForresterNow Predictions 2021: Cloud Computing report predicts that cloud-based platforms will continue to power digital transformation: by the end of 2021 60 percent of companies will leverage containers on public cloud platforms and 25 percent of developers will leverage serverless.

  The wide range of services that the Cloud provides can provide massive benefits to your workplace. Whether you need data storage, networking, or office applications, a cloud-based platform can be the necessary component to increasing productivity and support in your business.

In 2020, adaptation and flexibility have been major keywords throughout several businesses across the globe. It’s still unclear how 2021 will fare out for many companies, but what is crystal clear is that the technology industry is quickly adapting to the “new normal”—perhaps even far more than during a pre-pandemic world. It’s the responsibility of every business owner to apply and evolve with the new tech trends and tools available.

That way you can make the most of your business efforts and see a successful run in 2021, no matter the conditions.