Many businesses rely heavily on technology for keeping their operations running smoothly, as has become especially the case in the midst in the worldwide coronavirus outbreak. Your workforce’s ability to handle expenses, grow profitability and boost performance can falter sans the right tech.
Naturally, given the fast-changing world of technology, you should be dedicated to updating your company’s regularly. However, if coronavirus-related store closures and delivery delays are impacting hardware upgrades, you can still consider the following software tweaks in the meantime.
Windows 10 Pro for your PCs and laptops
Popular though Windows 7 was in its day, the operating system’s long run of security updates has finally come to an end. Windows 7 is now officially unsupported by Microsoft, meaning that your company should download Windows 10 on its PCs and laptops if it hasn’t already.
What version of Windows 10, though? The business-oriented version known as Windows 10 Pro, naturally. Microsoft advertises the OS as having “the business tools your team needs to work even smarter”, with “comprehensive security” and “flexible management” included in the package.
Software updates for iPhones, iPads and Android devices
There was once a time when it would be customary to buy a new smartphone every other year, if not sooner. That was largely due to the inflexible two-year contracts which carriers would impose. However, carriers have since shaken up their pricing plans, leaving them much less rigid.
In an article for CNBC, Todd Haselton observes: “Now, you can easily go three or four years with a device. There’s really no need to upgrade.” This is especially applicable if your devices are iPhones or iPads, as these are regularly issued with new software updates for years after their retail release. Even select Android handsets, like Google Pixel and recent Blackberry devices, get similar support.
Cloud technology for… pretty much everything
There was once a time when much of the hardware a business required would be on its premises as standard. However, that model has become increasingly outdated as cloud-based services have taken hold, where much of the hardware can actually be maintained by the service provider.
ITProPortal reels off a long list of advantages of cloud-based solutions, including “greater scalability, security, efficiency and flexibility regarding access”. These solutions include all-in-one communication systems like unified communications by Gamma, a UK-based provider of telecoms services where there is no need for users to spend upfront on hardware.
Collaboration tools for bringing your workers closer together
Another trend rising as a result of the Covid-19 crisis is the practice of usually office-based workers regularly working from home instead. In the home office, collaboration software like Microsoft Teams can make a big difference, providing a virtual space in which staff can collaborate remotely.
Corporate activities possible over Microsoft Teams include chatting, calling, saving documents and pooling together resources. These are all oft-dispensable tasks in the physical office, and now you can transfer them to the virtual one while everyone waits for the coronavirus outbreak to subside and allow businesses to fully recover.
