Tech is one of the most rapidly evolving, not to mention influential fields that exist today
We take a look at the most important online tech tools and software that have changed the business world for the better in the past 10 years.
Image courtesy of Pixabay.
Tech is one of the most rapidly evolving—not to mention influential—fields that exist. Why? Because we’re always looking for ways to make our lives easier. This means that there’s no such thing as good enough (or fast enough). A lot has changed in the past 10 years, especially when it comes to how we do business. No matter how many employees you have or what kind of work you do, you and your business have felt the effects of technology in regard to both your short-term capabilities and your long-term goals.
As this decade comes to an end, we thought we’d break down some of the most defining technological advancements, like employee time clock software, like employee time clock software, in the business world that has altered our work lives forever, creating a reality that’s much different from the one that we had prior to 2010.
Cloud Services
Ah, the cloud. While the changes that have accompanied the popularization of cloud services have affected far more than just business, there’s no denying that the cloud is revolutionizing online sharing, storage, security, and more. From remote collaboration to disaster recovery, cloud services offer companies access to a shared infrastructure. This goes above and beyond the capacity of traditional computing.
Most cloud service providers operate using hierarchical payment plans. This means that users can pay based on their needs and always have the option to upgrade. Image courtesy of eBiz Solutions.
Social Media Marketing
Some experts date the start of the “Age of Social Media” as beginning as early as 2004 when MySpace first reached a million monthly users. And while using available social media platforms as marketing tools isn’t exactly a new concept, the magnitude at which it’s now being used is arguably a development that’s only become possible within the past 10 years with the rise of smartphones and mobile apps. Today, social media marketing doesn’t only provide companies with an extensive reach. But, it’s also cost-effective and time-efficient, which is why almost every company is using it.
Social media marketing allows companies to access a wide range of demographics. Domains like Facebook and Twitter have become so universally popular. Image courtesy of Pixabay.
Employee Time Clock Software
Remember paper punch cards? In today’s world, the physical process of “punching” in and out is becoming increasingly obsolete. More and more companies are abandoning paper time cards in favor of time clock software. The digitalization of the time clock has been relatively steady in its progression, in the past 10 years. Employee time clock software has really taken off. Especially as time clock software providers start to incorporate more features and integrations into their services.
Part of the beauty of time clock software is that most companies don’t need to buy any new equipment. Employees can clock in and out on any Internet-connected device, e.g., smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops. Image courtesy of Pixabay.
Chatbots
Tech has made customer service more efficient than ever before, thanks to automated customer servicing tools like chatbots. Not only do chatbots give customers faster, round-the-clock service, but it also frees up time that workers would otherwise spend answering routine questions. When used correctly, chatbots can improve customer experience and provide direct solutions to common issues that they might be running into. Of course, that’s not to say that we’ve lost the need for person-to-person communication in business, but when it comes to instant, self-service, chatbots can really come in handy.
Tech isn’t always intuitive, and chatbots are a great way to make sure that your customers have a positive experience with your company without sacrificing as much of your workers’ time and energy. Image courtesy of Lucidworks.
Scheduling Software
Like time tracking, scheduling is another administrative task that’s been simplified by technology. Scheduling software cuts down on the time that it takes to create and circulate schedules, whether you have five employees or five hundred. Drag-and-drop functionality, color-coding, and copy and paste are all features that make online scheduling a more convenient way to build clean, easy-to-read schedules that you can then share with your employees.
Don’t forget that scheduling software doesn’t just make things easier for employers—it also benefits employees, who are able to access the schedules by going to an online portal or downloading the software’s mobile app. Image courtesy of Pixabay.
Endless Possibilities Ahead
Business coincides with technology, which means that as technology progresses, a business does too. While it’s true that technology isn’t without its downsides, it definitely still has its perks, especially when it comes to doing business and saving money. These are just five of the countless ways that business technology has improved in the past decade, and the tech industry certainly isn’t slowing down any time soon—so we’re looking forward to seeing what the next 10 years have in store for business.
