Do It Yourself

Technology for SMEs is about thinking smarter, doing things differently and working more efficiently, says Karen Nelson, Managing Director of Calibre Secured Networks Ltd. It's also about securing cost effectiveness and reliability.

The right technology, supported by a partner who understands sector needs, can help small businesses reach more customers, break into new markets, deliver growth and cut costs. But fundamentally, any investment in technology has to work for a business, not vice versa. This might be facile but it’s surprising how many people fail to take the right approach. Whether it’s your computers, storage, network or software, as a small business owner/manager you will not only need solutions that meet your current needs but also ones that can be scaled-up to meet additional capacity as the business expands and introduces new services and resources in the future.

So, is it about the cloud? There’s little doubt that companies see the benefits of the cloud: rather than paying out for a costly on-site physical infrastructure, SMEs can save time and money by investing in cloud computing for various applications, storage, and back-ups. It allows you too not only have access to your files and documents wherever you are, but also facilitate collaboration and deliver improved security, helping make satellite offices secure and reliable. It also means you have the flexibility to up-scale or consolidate as your business needs change, as well as updating, again without incurring large costs. Communication is also paramount in today’s global market place, especially for smaller, more nimblefooted businesses that operate on the move using mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones, or from various locations either in the UK or around the world. That means remote access, wireless networks and a range of ways of communicating to succeed, most businesses will need a network, usually wireless as well as wired, and the confidence to know that network is secure and reliable. Moreover, to achieve growth, SMEs need to be able to communicate internally and also with customers, and for that many are turning to a range of ways to stay connected, from superfast broadband Voice over IP (VoIP) phone services to video conferencing.

And while larger companies may be able to invest in expensive IT teams to keep an eye on their IT and cyber security, most SMEs simply don’t have the same resources, expertise and budgets at their disposal. But information and data is just as important to a small business as its larger rival, so protecting it is just as vital especially to grow. For small businesses trying to grow, buying new applications for each new employee as they join can be expensive and time-consuming, so consider software licensing to reduce costs – something experts like Calibre can helps small companies do, guiding you through suitable options and budgets, and offering advice of do’s and don’ts. So rather than buying another piece of software, for example, each time a new employee joins the company, a small business can take advantage of benefits such as volume discounts, multiple purchase options and subscription options, and flexible usage rights. All of which can help boost productivity, save money and add the flexibility that you need, while also improving security and data management.