Whether you’re running a small business, a large enterprise, or anything in between, your brand won’t survive in the modern market without relying on modern technology, technological solutions. Data is one of the most valuable resources for any business when it’s collected and used correctly, and it’s becoming more important than ever to know how to use datasets to improve business processes, boost your visibility, and provide better customer service. Of course, you also need to ensure that all your information is properly secured against malware, hackers, and other cyber threats.
Despite the importance of incorporating technology into your brand, roughly 90% of businesses are facing significant challenges with digital transformation. Common challenges include the costs of upgrading from legacy systems, deciding whether to build custom solutions or buy them, and the pace of digital transformations simply moving too slowly. In order to help circumvent these challenges, here are some great ways that you can work new technology into your business at a pace that works for you.
Gain a competitive edge with custom software.
Creating your own custom software is a great choice for any business since it gives you complete control over what you’re using, and you can tailor every function to your specific needs. A manufacturing business, for example, might seek to create its own CPQ software in order to improve the organization’s ability to communicate customizations to customers and price them accurately. Having custom software designs improves your efficiency and security, and it lets you easily scale to your own needs without involving extra costs for upgrades with technology.
If you have your own computer algorithm experts who understand K means clustering Python, that’s great. They’ll be able to use Python to cluster vectors using a k-mean algorithm and use NP arrays to program a variety of data solutions. Using your own APIs also ensures that all of your programs will be able to integrate seamlessly. Even if you lack your own experts who know how to manipulate a number of clusters, you can outsource to a software development company who can create your solutions using the same APIs to give you unique advantages over your competition.
Improve your cybersecurity with a reliable DNS solution.
If you’re using an open, uncontrolled, or legacy DNS system, you might want to think again. If you’re unfamiliar with domain name systems or don’t know the difference between the types, then it’s also a good idea to seek out better security solutions. A domain name system is a hierarchical naming system for computers, services, and resources connected to the internet, whether it’s a public or private connection. It automates underlying internet protocols like translating domain names into the numerical IP addresses needed to locate resources online. If your DNS isn’t properly protected, then information about your devices, services, and even users is open to malicious parties.
This is where solutions like the Securd web filtering platform come in. This cloud service is simple to set up and deploy, and you can complete the first step in under five minutes, which is great for something that should be a top priority. With multiple layers of defense via “grey wall” technology, this URL filtering system can protect your users against phishing attempts and malware in real-time and defend your network proactively, rather than waiting for attacks. Your endpoints will also be protected outright from hostile domains, so all of your devices (and your users’ devices) will remain safe.
Provide better customer service with a modern contact center.
Most people envision a call center as an office full of cubicles with overworked employees answering a never-ending stream of calls from irate customers. The stereotype is that it’s a place of frustration for all involved. While legacy call centers certainly still exist, you can use modern omnichannel contact center technology to provide convenient and personalized customer experiences.
With these services, customers can make contact with your agents using their preferred methods, whether that’s a voice call, text, email, SMS, live chat, through a company app, and more. More importantly, customers can switch seamlessly between communication methods if the need arises, all while staying in contact with the same agent. This makes the entire process much more convenient for the customers and your agents, and it provides a customer journey that’s memorable. Providing exceptional customer support may be the deciding factor between your business and your competitors.
Tie it all together with integrations.
Utilizing modern software solutions is even better when you have a reliable way to pull each data set from all of them at once for easy data transformation, analysis, and visualization. Being able to study your data in real-time is the key to monetizing it effectively. This is possible when you use system integrations instead of leaving each data set in its own separate silo.
Point to point integration is an option that allows you to tie data points for multiple applications together. For example, you could use Salesforce integrations to combine customer data collected from your contact center solution with technology your sales data to help the sales team build new leads. Of course, with point integration, you’ll have to manually link each solution, which can become more difficult the more systems you have. Modern integrations are becoming API-led, meaning systems running with the same APIs can connect automatically.
These are just a handful of ways to incorporate technology into a modern brand. You’ll likely discover even more ways to turn these solutions to your advantage as you begin practicing with them.
