If you’re like most business owners, you’re always looking for ways to stay ahead of the competition. One way to do this is by ensuring that your technology infrastructure is as good as – or better than – your competitors. Many businesses make the mistake of thinking that their technology is just fine, and don’t bother investigating how their competitors are using technology to gain an edge. In this blog post, we will discuss six ways in which your competitors’ technology may be better than yours.
IT Consultant/Managed IT Service Provider
If you’re not working with an IT consultant or managed IT service, your competitors probably are. This gives them a significant advantage, as they have access to experts who can help them implement the latest and greatest technology solutions. If you want to level the playing field, consider hiring an IT consultant or managed IT service of your own. Having an outside set of opinions with years of experience can make a huge difference in your company’s tech.
Better Hardware
Your competitors may also have better hardware than you. This can make a big difference in terms of performance, as newer and more powerful hardware can handle more data and process it faster. If your technology is starting to feel sluggish, it may be time to invest in some new hardware.
Hardware can include things like PCs, laptops, networking equipment, firewalls, servers, and more. While these things may not be the most inexpensive to upgrade, they are worth it in the long run. Many businesses work with an IT company to help them develop a refresh plan that fits within their budget.
Up-to-Date Software
Outdated software can be a major drag on productivity. If your competitors are using the latest and greatest software, they’re likely getting more work done in less time. To stay competitive, make sure your business is using the most up-to-date versions of all its software programs.
If you are having trouble with selecting the right software for your business or you don’t have anyone in-house that can help you may want to reach out to an expert IT consultant. They will be able to look at what you have and make suggestions on what you might need. A couple of added benefits of this are that they can often get you a better price on the software as well as being able to help maintain it.
Cloud-Based Solutions
More and more businesses are moving to cloud-based solutions, as they offer several advantages over traditional on-premises software. If your competitors are using cloud-based solutions, they’re likely able to be more agile and responsive to changes in their market. If you’re not already using cloud-based solutions, now might be the time to make the switch.
The cloud has been proven to be more secure, faster, and cheaper for many companies. In addition, it allows your employees to work from anywhere they have an internet connection, which is very popular in today’s age of remote working. Chances are your competitors are leveraging it for all of the benefits it brings.
Faster Internet Speeds
Your competitors may also have faster internet speeds than you. This can make a big difference when it comes to things like downloading files and accessing cloud-based applications. If your internet speed is holding you back, consider upgrading to a faster package.
At a bare minimum, you will want to make sure you have some sort of fiber connection coming into your office with networking equipment that can handle the speed. Your IT consultant can work with local internet providers to choose the best option for your area. You might even consider having a backup option should your primary internet go down.
Better Security
Your competitors may also have better security than you. This is important, as data breaches can be extremely costly. To protect your business, make sure you have a robust security system in place. Newer hardware, the correct EDR or Anti-Virus software, and better policies regarding how your company network is used can help.
As you can see, there are several ways in which your competitors’ technology may be better than yours. If you want to stay competitive, it’s important to stay up to date with the latest and greatest technology solutions.
Do you need help catching up with your competitors? Our team of IT experts can help you implement the latest and greatest technology solutions. Contact us today to learn more.
