Whether it’s improving your teamwork or streamlining your sales process, there are countless ways that businesses of all descriptions can jump on the latest IT and tech trends to operate more effectively.
As we head into 2023, there are a few hot IT and tech trends that we think the most cutting-edge businesses will be using to thrive, this year and beyond.
In this blog, we’ve outlined seven ways that businesses can use IT and tech trends to improve efficiencies and profitability in 2023. Read about them below.
#1 Digital transformation – creating a modern workplace
If you haven’t done already, this one is an absolute must! Utilising digital transformation to modernise your workplace is a great project to focus on over the coming year. Making greater use of technology can be an effective way for many businesses to bring about positive change.
Digital transformation can mean many things. For your business, it could include introducing cloud computing, bringing greater automation to the supply chain, or even making use of AI.
#2 Get more bang for your buck from your MSP
If you’re already using an MSP (Managed Service Provider) to handle your IT, or considering bringing one on board for 2023, it’s essential to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck out of them.
As well as helping your internal staff avoid repetitive daily IT tasks that can keep businesses bogged down, MSPs can also provide a range of services that many people are unaware of – including getting the most out of your Microsoft 365 license.
An MSP can configure free features within your Microsoft 365 so it works best for you, such as activating the full Defender Antivirus that comes as part of the license, and activating features like Intune to manage your devices more easily.
Make sure you don’t spend unnecessarily on additional licenses such as security – at Axon we help activate the features built into Microsoft 365, so you get more bang for your buck!
#3 Move to a CRM that’s ideal for your SME
CRM (Customer Relationship Management) technology is an incredibly useful tool for tracking and logging interactions with customers all the way through the sales process. But it’s one that many SMEs neglect to take full advantage of. Don’t have your best enquiries and contacts only in Outlook, in an Excel sheet or a CRM that’s too complicated to use!
You might be familiar with the enterprise version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM, but if you want a less complicated version more suited to the business needs of SMEs, at Axon we’ve developed a version of Dynamics which has only the best bits that SME’s want.
An automated solution, it’s super quick and cost-effective to set-up. In fact, we can deploy a CRM for our clients in just 24 hours! What’s more it’s super intuitive so all of your team will get quickly onboard!
#4 Back up Microsoft Office 365
A simple one, but important, nonetheless. Many businesses are unaware that Microsoft Office 365 does not backup your data.
If you use Office 365 for your business, it would be a shrewd decision to utilise a cloud backup managed service to avoid the risk of losing any important emails and files.
If you’re relying on Office 365 currently you might benefit from Axon’s cloud backup managed service. An unlimited backup service for your Microsoft Office 365 assets, Axon Cloud Backup is the industry’s most complete cloud-to-cloud backup solution for Office 365.
#5 Step up your cyber security
Cyber security is one of the biggest challenges faced by all businesses in 2023. With cyber-attacks on the rise year on year, it’s vital to keep your business secure.
Many people think that only big businesses are targeted in cyber-attacks, but in fact, SMEs are even more likely to be targeted than large companies! Defence against ransomware, phishing and other common types of cyber-attacks should be a priority for all businesses this year. Make sure you have the right security in place.
We believe a proactive approach is the best way to help prevent cyber attacks. We offer phishing training and can help guide your business through Cyber Essentials certification.
#6 Collaborate seamlessly
One of the most amazing aspects of tech is its ability to allow teams to work together quickly and efficiently, both in the office and remotely. In 2023, why not endeavour to improve your business’s teamwork by making use of Microsoft software such as SharePoint and Teams to collaborate more easily?
In the wake of the pandemic, which saw remote working become a necessity for many, these kinds of technologies have only become more user-friendly and are constantly adding useful features to help teams collaborate better on all kinds of projects.
#7 Get more from Power Platform
Microsoft Power Platform is a really useful piece of software that could take your business to the next level in 2023. In a nutshell, it allows businesses to manage data, streamline processes and handle enquiries more efficiently.
Power Platform is an umbrella term for three Microsoft services – Power BI, PowerApps and Power Automate and can be used with Office 365 and Dynamics 365, allowing staff to do more with their data without knowledge of coding.
Accelerate innovation and reduce costs as you analyse data, automate processes, build apps, websites and virtual agents – all with Microsoft Power Platform!
So there we have it, our top seven IT and tech trends for businesses 2023!
Want to find out more about any of these trends and how we can help you use them to enhance your business? Feel free to get in touch to discuss our MSP services.