5 Essential IT Tools for Startups and SMBs

1. Mobile Device Management

The most used technology is the good-old fashioned device: laptops, desktops, mobile devices, tablets, etc. But managing these devices can be time-consuming. To streamline management of endpoints, SMBs can turn to Apple Business Manager and Windows Autopilot. These tools allow IT teams to remotely configure and deploy newly purchased laptops, assist remote workers in installing and updating software, and onboard new hires without being physically present. They also allow IT teams to push updates to all devices centrally rather than going one by one.

When Outdoor Living Supply, a midsize business that started in 2020, started using Microsoft Autopilot, it was able to ease the burden of device management.

“Nine months ago, we had to individually remote in to make a change to a PC,” Chris Shelton, senior director of infrastructure, operations and cybersecurity for Outdoor Living Supply, told BizTech. “Now we can do it centrally.”

2. Central Cloud and Cost Management

Most startups and SMBs with a presence in the public cloud use either Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure, according to Flexera’s 2025 State of the Cloud report. Many also have multicloud instances, relying on a mix of services from cloud vendors. Regardless of the model, Flexera identified cost management as the biggest challenge.

“What you don’t want is somebody spending something up and then forgetting about it,” Ben Schreiner, head of artificial intelligence (AI) and modern data strategy business development at AWS, says. “Then it’s not adding any value to the business.”

While AWS, Microsoft and Google Cloud all have their own tools to protect the value of the cloud, they come with a learning curve. Plus, those tools are typically optimized specifically for individual cloud providers.

Startups and SMBs can instead centralize multicloud management with a tool like Inscape from CDW. It identifies cost-saving opportunities and helps teams track their Microsoft licensing. As startups grow, this centralized approach to cloud and cloud-licensing management can save time, money and effort.  

3. Managed Security Services

In its 2025 Cyber Threat report, Sonic Wall documented an escalation in ransomware attacks and a “staggering” spike in business email compromise.

“This urgency puts immense pressure on companies of all sizes, especially small and medium-sized businesses, which may struggle to keep up,” writes Bob VanKirk, president and CEO of SonicWall.

Cybersecurity may feel like a necessary, albeit unwelcome, expenditure for startups. While strong device and cloud management promote security by design, they’re not enough. Going out and building a security operation center isn’t feasible, either.

DIVE DEEPER: Managed detection and response can supplement existing security strategies.

Managed detection and response is the simplest and most affordable option. Sophos MDR is particularly good for SMBs because it offers a Cybersecurity as a Service model, helping with threat detection and response. Palo Alto Networks’ AI-SecOps platform and MDR from Arctic Wolf Networks are also viable options.

Other valuable services include CDW’s Virtual Ciso  and cybersecurity and assessment services. These help businesses identify managed security services that add the greatest value at the lowest possible cost, eliminating the guesswork and uncertainty that can come with MSSP shopping.

LEARN MORE: Optimize your business’s collaboration environment.

4. Collaboration and Conferencing Platforms

Unlike midsize companies, small companies are quicker to opt for hybrid or remote work models to limit office space overhead and attract talent from farther away.

That’s where digital workspace platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Webex are so essential. They keep team members connected regardless of their location. They also integrate chat, high-quality videoconferencing, file sharing and other team collaboration features. Meeting reminders, recording features and organized file-sharing systems are also part of the packages.

Zoom and Microsoft have also started introducing AI add-ons, such as transcripts, to help teams stay even more organized.

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5. Project Management Software

From manufacturing to marketing to software development, SaaS project management has become the de facto preference for delivering work on time and within budget.

Asana, Microsoft Project/Visio and MindManager are some of the biggest and most trustworthy names in project management. They’re all SaaS solutions that provide structure while still allowing for flexibility based on your operations, and are specifically designed to help teams keep track of their work.

Each of these solutions has its own strengths. Asana, for instance, streamlines task assignments and progress tracking, ensuring everyone is on the same page. Microsoft Project/Visio offers advanced project planning and visualization capabilities, essential for managing complex projects and aligning them with business goals. MindManager aids in brainstorming and organizing ideas to foster innovative solutions.

With these in your toolbox, your organization can achieve project milestones more efficiently and succeed in a competitive market.