1. Consider Managed IT Services
With limited personnel, SMBs may have limited IT teams — if they have one at all. Naturally, this can create myriad security and efficiency gaps across the organization, even when non-IT workers attempt to bridge the divide. But extensive internal teams aren’t the only option for SMBs seeking robust technology management. Outsourcing IT management to a trusted partner can free up SMBs’ internal resources, allowing teams to focus on core business activities.
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Managed service providers — offering everything from IT staff augmentation and network management to cloud support, security and more — give businesses access to advanced technologies without the need for significant in-house investments. And MSPs aren’t just one-size-fits-all; their services can be customized to fit an SMB’s budget or a specific project, which means predictable IT costs and subscription-based pricing. Plus, decision-makers can check in regularly with the provider to adjust the scope of services as needed.
“Regardless of how an organization decides to work with MSPs, these partnerships are a valuable opportunity to accelerate outcomes, navigate disruption and plan for the future,” writes Ramana Reddy Depa, CDW’s global head of strategy for managed services.
2. Invest in Scalable Software Solutions
It’s costly and inefficient to purchase business technology solutions that only work when the business operates at a certain tier. SMBs are better off investing in technology that will remain relevant as they grow, which means choosing software that scales up or down in accordance with business needs, adapting to fluctuations in workloads, user demands and new functionality without requiring a complete overhaul.
This is especially important around the holidays. Most small businesses rely on holiday shopping for at least 25% of their annual revenue. And for seasonal businesses, the holiday season is even more of a factor.
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“In my experience as an executive of a seasonal business, I’ve seen that number rise to 90% of annual revenue,” Christa Pitts, co-CEO and cofounder of The Lumistella Company, reveals in Harvard Business Review. “Business sprints along at a frantic pace, with a need for ‘all hands on deck.’ But then, as the season draws to a close, business slows to a crawl and receivables dry up.”
Because of this, scalable software solutions are more of a need than a nice-to-have. To get started, IT leaders should identify which business processes (such as CRM, ERP or project management) would benefit most from scalable software solutions. They should then research their choices, focusing on software that offers modular options, then test and integrate the software on a trial basis to ensure compatibility with the organization’s existing IT system. This strategy helps teams avoid software replacements, manage renewals and gain greater uptime and productivity.
7 in 10
The ratio of small businesses owners who agree their businesses would struggle to survive without access to technology platforms
Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, “Empowering Small Business: The Impact of Technology on U.S. Small Business,” September 2023
3. Work with a Tech Partner
While SMBs may know they need to enhance their relationship with technology to stay competitive, they frequently struggle to leverage new technologies meant to improve systems and benefit workers. In fact, recent research at the Georgia Institute of Technology reveals “small businesses often lack the resources and knowledge required to incorporate … beneficial technology.” Fortunately, rightsizing tech investments is easier when SMBs work with a tech expert like CDW.
This can include (but isn’t limited to) traditional managed IT services. It’s holistic counsel and support. CDW’s team of experts can help IT leaders gain full observability into the IT ecosystem to identify potential vulnerabilities, improve data management and maximize resource allocation aligned to a several-month or several-year plan. This gives IT leaders the expertise and improved customer experience they might not otherwise have within their budget.
“Simply put, we work with you to eliminate business challenges on any time line, every step of the way,” writes Andy Kleinheinz, principal technical architect at CDW. “With our industry-leading partnerships, we’re not hamstrung on one solution or vendor — we listen to you, then bring in the proper resources.”
