Business owners are looking for ways to improve productivity and boost efficiency. This is so that they can get more done with less, whether they want to work fewer hours themselves or avoid having to add people. Businesses are considering both low-tech and high-tech solutions so they can grow their business and improve cash flow. Here are four tech solutions for driving business efficiency, regardless of which type of business you are in.

Business Automation Software

Technology can improve workplace productivity, such as when it allows someone to work from home when the weather is bad or check email and respond to issues wherever they are. On the flip side, technology can impede productivity.

For example, employees may check their email ten to fifty times an hour, getting in the way of getting work done. One solution is business automation software. These tools analyze the information from incoming emails and respond with the right answer or update customer relationship management databases automatically. Then your employees aren’t removing customers from mailing lists or sending customers the instructions for resetting their password. Other tools allow employees to follow up on specific emails or notify them of important issues, so they don’t have to check their email every few minutes.

Automated systems may ease the workload of your IT department, too. For example, automated backup systems help ensure that critical files are backed up, though someone should verify that it is working properly once in a while.

Effective Collaboration Software

Technology allows teams to be dispersed, working remotely or in locations around the world. They need top-notch collaboration tools to maintain their productivity. Effective collaboration tools include all-in-one video and audio-conferencing software and data repositories that control access while protecting data.

Sometimes the best tools are those that break down the silos between teams and departments. For example, SysAid is a modular ITSM, service desk and help desk software solution. It consolidates all of the IT functions into one system. Your helpdesk can accept requests from customers and other employees, assign tasks to anyone from website administrators to hardware support, and track metrics across the board. It also supports self-service requests from customers and employees like account unlocks, reducing how much work your helpdesk has to do. Furthermore, you can use it to track assets, so that you can set up new employees with a company approved laptop computer and the appropriate system access.

Online Training and Development

Online training allows employees to take courses that are essential to their productivity or maintaining their job-related credentials on their schedule. Many online training sources can track who takes the lessons and where they take them, simplifying tracking and reporting. Furthermore, online courses may be live or recorded, but it is almost always cheaper than sending employees to a seminar. Online training systems can be connected to Human Resources systems, too, so that new employees are automatically assigned online training based on their new job assignment. This streamlines the onboarding process.

Conclusion

Technology is changing the way we work. Fortunately, there are a number of tools that help your team to work more productively and save money, too.