Smart Technology That Your Small Business Needs

[This article was written by Regina Thomas.]

Do you think that all the smart gadgets and technologies are just for big businesses? Or your small business should be boring? Re-think! The technological world has been very dynamic and has availed so many smart tools for businesses.

With the Internet of things (IoT), there is a whole new business world due to connectivity everywhere and the introduction of modern devices that did not exist before. Technology is providing businesses with money-saving tools that can make running your business cost-effective and very efficient. Some of the smart techs that your business needs include:

Smart locks

Are you still using keys and locks for your upfront store? That’s so old fashioned. Smart locks and electronic keyless locks are becoming popular, and they are affordable even for small businesses. The intelligent locks have increased business convenience and security due to the ability to control business access anywhere and in any device.

Employees could accidentally lose keys, which is both inconveniencing and a security threat. Technology has made it easy for you and your employees to control locks using phones and other smart devices. You do not need to re-key locks when some employees leave your business.

With intelligent locks, all you need to do is give employees access codes and revoke them when they stop working. It is also possible to shut the doors remotely and even monitor who entered and left your business at a particular time.

Voice assistants

Voice assistants (VAs) have taken artificial intelligence to a whole new level. Natural language processing (NLP) software has also developed overtime to make work easier. Basic VAs have helped in note-taking, delivering business alerts, and setting event reminders. Voice recognition software can also be used together with specific apps to perform advanced business and services tasks. The number of functions is continually growing with new inventions and innovations.

Businesses are adopting voice assistants to provide better customer services and maximize revenue by reducing sales costs. Learn how to integrate and optimize the products and services you are offering with assistants to improve them or reach new clientele. Chatbots have been hailed for delivering efficiencies and valuable information to small businesses.

Smart payments

The mobile point of sale (mPOS) device has transformed retail. Businesses have adopted card and electronic payment methods, which have reduced the use and need for cash. This is helping to increase convenience and efficiency in business due to reduced accounting errors and theft risks.

While cashless payment methods are more secure and efficient, most business owners are afraid of adopting them for their business payment processing due to hacking and fraud. This is a significant concern, but it should not stop you from keeping abreast of technological advancements. Technological service providers are available to provide safe and secure payment solutions for your businesses. Such technological partners are there to ensure that your systems are updated and that the latest protections are in place.

Stock and inventory controls

Most unmanned and automated warehouses use barcodes, advanced machines, and software to control stocks in and out without people. For your small business, you can also introduce barcodes, IoT gadgets, radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags to manage your inventories.

IoTs can work together with RFID to make a smart store for your business. You can choose to equip the store with sensors and cameras for remote control and management of your inventory. The technology has also made it possible to do automatic restocking. In the future, small businesses will have robotic carts for fully automated and remotely controlled deliveries.

Cameras

Security monitoring cameras have been in use for quite some time, and they are getting more potent with technological growth and advancements. They are becoming more affordable for small businesses to adopt and use them in tandem with smart locks. Connected cameras will allow you to remotely monitor your entrances, offices, warehouses, and other business premises.

Connected cameras are less expensive and less voluminous with limitless footage storage in the cloud. Additionally, the cameras do not require cables, making it easy to place them anywhere so long as they have power and a robust wireless internet connection.

Conclusion

Technological advancements make it easy for small business owners to deliver their dreams efficiently. As a business owner, you enjoy convenient business operations and management. The future is digital, and keeping your business technologically up-to-date is inevitable. Inventions and innovations will eventually make it possible to remotely run myriad business functions; therefore, do not be left behind.

Author Bio:

Regina Thomas is a Southern California native who spends her time as a freelance writer and loves cooking at home when she can find the time. Regina loves reading, music, hanging with her friends and family along with her Golden Retriever, Sadie. She loves adventure and living every day to the fullest. If you are looking for payment processing systems for your business, Regina recommends checking out Poynt.