SMB Productivity and Automation: Trends for 2019 and Beyond

Technological improvements are making our lives easier, and our businesses more efficient. Today, there’s a lot of focus on process automation, implementation of AI, bot downloads, IoT, and more.

It may sound like only large enterprises can afford to implement these new technologies into their business, but that’s far from the truth. Small and medium-sized businesses can get all the benefits of technological advancements, and so cut costs and increase revenue, because these technologies are widely available. Some of them might be an investment at first, but they’re worth it in the long run.

It’s not all about money, however. Process automation makes it easier for you to focus on your core business and your workers to focus on more important tasks, increasing their motivation and productivity.

There are a few automation trends that are already creating a buzz in 2019, so let’s take a closer look at them and at how they can improve your small or medium-sized business.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing has been around for a while, and it can mean huge changes for SMBs. Many businesses have already adopted this technology, and it’s time you did the same because it brings countless benefits:

1. Cuts Costs

Number 1 benefit of cloud computing is its cost-efficiency. You don’t need to invest thousands of dollars into building IT infrastructure, and you only pay your service provider for the amount of storage that you use when you use it.

2. Flexibility

Remote workers are becoming more common, and with cloud computing, you can allow your employees to work from anywhere with internet connectivity. They can have access to your virtual office from any device, making them more productive and efficient.

3. Collaboration

Your employees can work from the same master document, sharing and working on the data at the same time. Users can upload, edit, and comment on documents, and you can track and manage their progress.

Chatbots and AI

The chatbot revolution is happening, bot downloads are on the rise and everyone from bloggers, to online businesses and large corporations are utilizing them for real-time conversations with their clients.

The Best AI chatbots can work wonders for your business, improve your customer service and increase customer satisfaction. They’re available 24/7 and have the ability to give your clients accurate information and answer any of their questions.

Chatbots with the best AI can have natural conversations with people, and can even have their own unique personalities, allowing you to promote your business culture and develop a relationship with your clients, increasing their loyalty.

The best thing about them is that they’re extremely affordable, and with platforms such as SnatchBot.me, you don’t need to have any previous IT knowledge to create them. Creation of chatbots and bot downloads have never been easier.

IoT

The Internet of Things has already impacted our home and work lives. It’s expected that by 2020, there’ll be over 31 billion IoT connected devices, and if you want to stay ahead of the competition, you should learn how to utilize them.

One of the major advantages of IoT is that it gives you access to valuable data. Interconnected devices can gather information about your employees’ performance, consumer preferences, and more, and you can easily store and analyze the data, find solutions to improve customer satisfaction, and increase productivity.

To drive sales and increase profits, SMBs need to understand customer behavior so that they can create custom marketing and advertising campaigns. This will allow you to develop products and services that your customers need.

RPA

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) can make your business run smoothly, and it’s an investment that will pay for itself. From increasing your efficiency to streamlining the workflow, reducing operational costs, and improving customer service, there’s nothing RPA can’t do.

RPA gives you great scalability opportunities based on customer demand and changing market. Your robotic workforce can be as large or small as you need it, and you can always expect consistency in their performance.

You’ll find it easier to cope with unpredictable changes, and your business will adapt quickly and seamlessly. While the RPA works on tiring repetitive tasks, your employees can focus on the more creative side of the business and give your customers their time and attention.

RPA, IoT, bot downloads, and cloud computing will have a huge impact on your small and medium-sized business. Automating tedious and repetitive processes will increase your overall efficiency, allowing you to cut costs, increase productivity, improve customer satisfaction, and reduce efforts. Your SMB will run smoothly, and you’ll rest easy knowing you’ll stay ahead of the competition.