Upgrades That Make the Grade -An Essential Guide to Better Business Tech

Technology is hardwired into the enterprise business landscape. From phone systems to cloud capabilities, it touches every part of your operation. Whether your organization is an early adaptor, a fast follower, or slow to adjust, upgrades are essential to maintain a competitive edge.

This blog breaks down where to focus your efforts, elevating the tech you have so you can continue to make the most of it.

A New IT Approach

Tech starts at the top, and the role of a Chief Information Officer has changed immensely over the past few years. The pandemic and aftermath alone have significantly impacted the CIO position—and change is constantly on the horizon in this area.

For some enterprise businesses, this may mean re-evaluating who’s leading the way for technology in your organization. According to KPMG, the days when a CIO’s role was to “fulfill orders by building technology to match specifications” are over.

Instead, KPMG outlines the ‘5 Imperatives of a CIO’ as follows:
 

•  Focus on Value
•  Craft Experiences
•  Forge a Cohesive Strategy
•  Lead Into the Future
•  Deliver at Market Speed

If you’re currently not getting this kind of outlook and value from the CIO position in your enterprise business, it may be time to upgrade. 

IVR Comes Calling

Incoming calls are the livelihood of any business. So, why leave them up to conventional answering technology that can sound robotic? Or complicated phone trees that leave callers frustrated?

According to Social Underground, one of the top tech upgrades a business can make is to adopt an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, calling it “crucial for any call center.” IVR answers incoming calls and finds the best route between the caller and the existing phone system.

With IVR, the caller gets the impression and tone of a live individual instead of a computer, enhancing the overall customer experience. This can directly and positively impact phone sales, customer service, and overall customer satisfaction. It can also provide extra bandwidth for overburdened call center associates.

Information Security Insecurities?

Enterprise businesses occupy a sweet spot for cyber attackers that prey upon organizations that are profitable enough to exploit yet lack the sophisticated cyber defenses of larger corporations.

Due to this and the fact that information security is a critical component of any organization, upgrades to network security systems continue to be popular. Because the ongoing war against cyber attackers has many fronts, a comprehensive defense may include:

•  Network firewall security
•  Business Wi-Fi security
•  Data security
•  Cloud computing and software
•  Security awareness training

Your Chief Information Officer’s responsibility to oversee upgrades on this front can be mitigated with the help of an information security firm. Moreover, using Sparklight Business Wi-Fi service ensures you’ll enjoy the latest Wi-Fi technology and security. For more information or to upgrade your current service, contact us today.

Remote Front and Center

Working remotely is no longer a novelty for enterprise businesses. Instead, it’s a reality for many organizations and an expectation for an increasingly demanding workforce. According to a survey by employenthero.com, 55% of workers indicated they would consider leaving an organization that does not offer a work-from-home option.

Keeping remote workers productive and engaged means providing the technology to make the process seamless. The following upgrades can help you achieve this balance, providing a win-win for the business and employees:

• Project Management Platform
With literally dozens of options to choose from, how can you know if you’re using the right platform for a hybrid workforce? This comprehensive overview from Top10.com can validate your existing choice or point you to something that may be more effective.

• Video Conferencing Platform

Some stand out more than others in the crowded field of video conferencing platforms. According to Owl Labs, these are the ten best choices.

• Laptops and Desktop Computers

An up-to-date computer or device is still the backbone of any remote workforce. Before remote or hybrid work, upgrades could easily be handled by IT.

Keeping technology in synch can be difficult with workers in far-flung locations, often with different set-ups and preferences. An IT service management provider can help streamline the process and make upgrades more efficient. For some of the top-rated options as outlined by IT Business Edge, check here.