Running a business is difficult enough, but when you also factor in the added layer of running that business using outdated technology, finding success can be even more challenging. It’s not that it’s impossible to run your company using dated software and equipment (after all, you’re still in business!).
However, many times using older systems can ultimately make your business run much less efficiently than newer tech would provide you with. While every business and industry is unique, there are a few approaches and systems that are commonly used when it comes to better managing your company. Here are four tips for ways to improve outdated systems in your enterprise.
1. Use SAP to cut out middleware.
Of all the options on this list of tips, leveraging SAP to cut out the need for middleware between different software solutions can be one of the biggest game-changers. If you’re currently using middleware or a cumbersome series of exports and imports in order to read and use different data sets from disparate departments in your company, the bottom line is that you’re wasting your time.
As any business owner will tell you, when you waste time, you waste money. As such, using SAP to integrate your business processes and various legacy systems with the SAP system can save your staff hours of work each week and even increase productivity. Just make sure to pay attention to SAP data migration best practices as you’re upgrading from a legacy system to an SAP system since data migration is inherently risky. That being said, by following data migration best practices, you can mitigate that risk at handle your data migration process smoothly. Learn more about which MDM platform is the best for your needs by researching analyst reports such as the 2020 Gartner Magic Quadrant MDM report to get a comprehensive overview of all the leading industry providers.
2. Upgrade your surveillance using cloud access control.
Another outdated piece of tech many companies are still using involves surveillance systems. Especially in highly-trafficked areas of your business, you may rely on CCTV cameras or another surveillance platform in order to control who can come into your business. Access control services are becoming even more important during the pandemic, as it’s important to have a record of everyone who’s come and gone from your company.
That being said, outdated systems just won’t cut it and wind up wasting your time and resources. Cloud-based access control lets you seamlessly integrate access control with other aspects of your security system, using powerful tools to monitor activity in real-time. As such, a cloud access control system can be a powerful way to secure your company while keeping your IT and security team as efficient as possible.
3. Switch from network-based servers to the cloud.
If you’re still having staff members connect to a network-based server housed somewhere in your building, you could be putting yourself at risk. More analog servers and hard drives are harder to secure than their cloud-based alternatives. Even worse, they can be tricky to connect to when working remotely and may even put the rest of your business’ data security at risk. The last thing you want to do is be the next company to have a major data breach, so do yourself a favor and switch to a cloud-based server that everyone can access much more easily and securely.
4. Go beyond email with project management tools.
How your team works needs to evolve, too, if you want to stay on top in your field. One way to do this is by empowering your team to use the tools that will help them perform their jobs the best. If you find that email just isn’t cutting it for some of the work your staff is doing?especially during the pandemic?consider investing in a project management tool like Slack or Basecamp to help the job get done more smoothly. From acting as a repository of information to managing to-do lists, you’ll be amazed at the way that simple digital software solutions can help your team work smarter and not harder.