Three key areas for small business technology investment

Investing in technology benefits businesses of all sizes. However, the implementation process often involves trial and error, and many small businesses cannot afford to make mistakes when it comes to these investments, especially in today's uncertain business environment.

This may be why some small and medium-sized businesses have been slow to adopt mobile solutions that transform large-scale workplaces. Since the advent of the PC, phones have increased productivity in unparalleled ways. Research shows that bringing your own device (BYOD) programs can further boost employee morale and increase engagement. Without mobile devices, businesses are vulnerable to a negative impact on workplace productivity.

As small businesses seek to improve productivity, they should consider three investment areas that balance security, cost, and efficiency:

1. Understand the cloud

Cloud computing has been around for many years, but the cost of running a business from the cloud has dropped significantly. Moving data and business processes to the cloud increases collaboration and allows employees to complete tasks without being tied to their desks.

Cloud-based platforms offer many benefits to small businesses. For example, incredible scalability, high reliability, improved security, and significantly lower management costs. Small businesses need to take a hard look at their existing IT and ask themselves, “Is this strategic?” If the answer is no, it's time to outsource.

The most basic example of this is email. Many small businesses still run their own Exchange servers, but that's no longer necessary or optimal for most businesses. Regardless of the provider you choose, pushing email to the cloud provides a highly reliable service that scales quickly and removes the limitations that come with running your own data center.

More importantly, limited resources can be directed to support strategic goals. Instead of paying an IT manager to keep your Exchange servers up and running, find technology services and products that give you a strategic advantage, with the same experts having deep knowledge of how your business works and the IT services you need. It can help you concentrate. Beyond competition.

2. Go mobile

Mobility has been a buzzword since the 1990s, but it used to be more about getting the most out of your laptop and internet connection. Now, with enterprise-class smartphones that are as fast as many laptops and 5G data services that provide extensive coverage around the world, advances in technology over the past few years have made mobile-only workflows possible. Even in the absence of true work mobility, it is prudent to support staff in using mobile devices for work through Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) or Choose Your Own Device (CYOD) programs. It's an investment.

But you can go even further by making your device key to your daily workflow. Mobile phones and tablets are ideal for information consumption and basic data entry tasks, and can be accomplished at a fraction of the cost of managing a Windows desktop or laptop. For example, consider the latest feature-packed Galaxy Fan Edition (FE) family of devices. Employees can be equipped with Galaxy S23 FE mobile devices, Galaxy Tab S9 FE, and Galaxy Buds FE, all of which connect seamlessly to make work easier no matter where they are.

Meanwhile, foldable devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 take mobile productivity to the next level with integrated PC-like features designed for business use. In many cases, foldable devices can also save business costs by allowing device integration and increasing productivity on the go.

High-performance hardware only reaches its full potential when used in conjunction with the right software. For businesses, that increasingly comes in the form of cloud-based apps. Enabling employees to use the right apps increases productivity by creating intuitive workflows that make it easier for employees to do their jobs.

Small and medium-sized businesses need to evaluate their applications and processes and look for ways to increase efficiency when moving employees.

3. Deploy AI, analytics, and machine learning

These buzzwords may sound out of reach when it comes to small business investing. Developing custom AI applications may be out of reach for small and medium-sized businesses, but there are important exceptions. That means new technologies are being built into off-the-shelf software products that allow you to do more with your own data.

investment in the future

Investing in mobile technology gives you the tools you need to take advantage of future opportunities. For small and medium-sized businesses, the right software and software-as-a-service (SaaS) partner can provide great flexibility for your business needs. Automation helps you monitor business performance, provide a better customer experience, and increase employee productivity. But if you're looking for technology growth as a small business, what's the best way to access it?

Navigating the technology landscape becomes easier with the right partner. Programs such as Samsung for Business provide small businesses with access to solutions, pricing, and services traditionally reserved for corporate organizations, helping them overcome obstacles that can prevent them from investing in technology. Helpful.

If your budget doesn't allow you to jump-start your mobile program, our Partner Program offers discounted pricing, trade-in credits, tax-free deals for eligible organizations, and access to exclusive business financing to help drive innovation. can.

Partner programs focused on small and medium-sized businesses can also help you access solutions and technologies typically reserved for larger organizations. For example, Care+ for Business helps reduce concerns about investing in new technology by providing hassle-free repairs and accidental damage coverage. Mobile device management solutions like Samsung Knox make it easy to deploy devices, manage updates, and handle security from a cloud-based interface. By working with partners like Samsung, you can reduce required hardware purchases while leveraging an ecosystem of options, such as connecting your mobile device to the screen for true productivity on the go. can do.

Many small and medium-sized businesses have difficulty engaging with technological advances. However, as more advanced tools are developed, you may want to perform environment scans of important applications to see what you may be missing or if there are any useful features you haven't explored yet. please.

Small businesses may not have the resources to make large IT investments, but they should take advantage of the tools and products available to businesses of all sizes. Among all the technology trends on the market, cloud, mobility, and AI-powered software are the best choice for small and medium-sized businesses to increase revenue and increase competitiveness. Strategic partnerships can help bridge that gap and give your team what they need to strengthen your business.

explore Business-only price, financing, trade-in options, and other deals on everything from phones and tablets to monitors and memory.Don't know where to start with business smartphones for yourself and your employees? This free guide can help.