Cloud storage and other cloud-based services have become increasingly popular in the last few years and are used by many thousands of businesses in the UK and across the globe. It is not just businesses that use cloud storage services. There are many personal benefits, such as photo storage, that cloud storage services offer to the individual.

Cloud storage services solve many of the storage and privacy issues that plague modern businesses today. With more people working remotely than ever before, cloud services are set to serve an even greater purpose. As popular, affordable and beneficial as cloud storage is, there are still plenty of businesses that do not make use of them. Don’t let this be you! Ensure that you keep up with the competition by making use of the best cloud storage provider options available to you.

What is a cloud storage service?

Many services fall under cloud storage services, including file hosting, online back-up, online data storage, etc. Cloud backup services are essentially an alternative to the traditional forms of data storage, such as hard copies and hard drives. Hardware and paper copies can easily be lost or destroyed, while cloud storage services ensure that your data is always available to you. Because of modern technological advances, cloud storage enables businesses to store far more data than the average hard drive would be capable of storing.

One of the most popular systems of cloud storage that most web users are likely to have had some experience with is Google Drive.

How does cloud storage work?

Before you begin to understand cloud storage, you need to understand the cloud. The cloud is a secure online resource and storage facility, which can be accessed remotely through certain authentication steps. The cloud stores all of your business’s data and files so that they are not at risk of being destroyed in hardware malfunctions or in the case of theft, or even a natural disaster. You should even be able to restore deleted files or earlier versions of digital files.

Cloud storage allows you to grant the access of certain files to specific people within the business, ensuring that only authorised personnel can access the data on the cloud or via cloud storage apps. Files can usually be accessed through your browser or a mobile app and should be available across all your devices.

What cloud storage should I use for my business?

When choosing cloud storage space options for your business, you have many choices available. So how do you choose? We’ve comprised a list of some of the very best cloud storage options available.

IDrive

IDrive has been around from the beginning and has garnered a very positive reputation over the years. They offer cloud storage support for unlimited devices, and their subscription fee definitely offers value for money. If you want to go for a cloud storage service that has been in the game since the beginning and provides an incredible file versioning system, IDrive is your go-to service provider.

IDrive has a subscription option called IDrive Business, which offers unlimited users, priority support, and secure server backup. IDrive really understands the cloud storage needs of businesses, both small and large. In addition to IDrive Business, they also offer IDrive Team and IDrive Personal, IDrive Mini and a free Basic version with 10GB of storage, so there is really a solution for every cloud storage need. Other cloud storage services can be backed up to IDrive, including Dropbox, OneDrive and Google Drive.

Microsoft OneDrive cloud storage

This solution is obviously geared towards those who use Microsoft’s operating system on all of their devices. If you’re committed to using Microsoft for the foreseeable future as this cloud storage facility could be a fantastic option for you to use. OneDrive works in perfect cohesion with Windows 11.

It is simple and straightforward, and files can be edited without having to download them. OneDrive is available through various Microsoft 365 plans, with the most basic, Microsoft 365 Business Basic, available at £4.60 per month. A standalone OneDrive for business plan is available for £3.80 a month and offers 2TB of cloud storage.

While this isn’t much storage, especially for the needs of the average business, it is relatively affordable to upgrade to the premium tier that offers 100GB. It’s possible to share files with others even if they aren’t OneDrive users themselves.

pCloud Storage

Based in Switzerland, pCloud offers a unique solution in that a once-off payment will allow you access to their services for a lifetime! They offer a personal cloud storage solution with a user-friendly interface, making it easy for secure file sharing and collaborations. Other benefits include an unlimited upload amount as well as a choice of which continent you want your data to be stored. They’ve also introduced family plan options too.

The Premium 500 option provides 500GB of storage for life for a one-off payment of £199 or you can upgrade to 2 TB of storage for £399. A 10 TB lifetime option cost a on-time payment of £1,190.

Google Drive

Google Drive is probably one of the most popular and widely-used cloud storage systems currently available. It is a great option for those using Google Workspace, which is most web users these days. You have 15GB of storage that you can use for free. With a variety of additional features available, Google Drive is the obvious choice for Android users. The app makes accessing files from your phone simple and easy, and access can be granted to different parties at the click of a button. The only possible downside is that the web interface is not as easy to use as other cloud storage solutions.

If you need to upgrade to the 2TB tier, the fee is a standard £11.80 per month, when committing for a year and offers more exciting features to the user, including access to AI features, video meetings and recordings, and eSignatures for Docs and PDFs.

What’s happening in cloud storage?

Cloud storage and cloud computing technology are constantly adapting to offer better solutions to the end-user – you. There are many cloud storage trends on the horizon, including extensive AI, multi-cloud and joint cloud offerings, the option to go serverless, and automated services. In addition to this, there is a very real need for businesses to make use of the enhanced security and anti-hacking systems to ensure that data is kept safe from ever-growing new threats.

While you may be looking for the best free cloud storage options available, or even unlimited storage, the reality is most business needs will be for a paid package that provides sufficient storage space, online backup and disaster recovery, reliable file syncing, and excellent security features to ensure data security.

It’s definitely expected that we’ll see more and more cloud storage service providers becoming available, and the increase in competition and availability should bring down the expense of secure storage considerably. In general, cloud storage is definitely becoming more mainstream and used by a wider range of business users. Are you ready to make the leap onto the cloud?

The post Best Cloud Storage For Businesses appeared first on Real Business.

Managing Partner Joel Berwitz and Technology Director Aaron Bhatti outline the firm’s winning client-first approach and exciting future plans.

Like it or not, the world has gone digital, which means that businesses, if they want to target, engage with and retain a loyal customer-base, have to go digital too. But being ‘online’ isn’t without its risks, security continues to be a major issue. According to statistics from 2024, a staggering 50 percent of UK businesses experienced a cyber-attack or security breach in the previous year, according to the UK Government Cyber Security Breaches Survey.

But businesses don’t have to take these digital security risks lying down. Instead they can turn to CNNECT, a leading technology consultancy which helps “businesses maximise their cloud, collaboration and cyber security investments.”

A cloud services specialist, they offer Microsoft Security Assessment, free Azure landing zones, and free Azure Virtual Desktop pilots to help businesses improve their “security, efficiency, and cloud adoption,” according to the firm’s Managing Partner, Joel Berwitz.

Built on the premise that “there is a more efficient and productive way of delivering for customers,” CNNECT was founded “to provide trusted advisory services, ensuring businesses get the right mix of technology, security, and cost optimisation.”

The business model is no run-of-the-mill affair as it focuses on value-driven services over simply selling licences. “We don’t just sell, we advise,” explains Technology Director Aaron Bhatti. “Many Microsoft partners push licensing but we help customers navigate their entire cloud journey.”

Strategic assessments are offered for free, including Microsoft Security Assessment and Azure pilots, which give clients “risk-free insights before committing”, explains Berwitz. For clients in industries including the legal and professional services sector “we simplify complexity,” adds Berwitz, which he says is crucial for sectors where “compliance and security are critical.”

Launching a business with a high service delivery element wasn’t without its challenges, Berwitz explains. “Building credibility quickly,” was a core challenge as “IT leaders want a partner they trust” meaning they had to prove value from the outset.

Another challenge, according to Bhatti, was “shifting businesses from outdated IT models to modern cloud-based infrastructures while managing concerns about security, costs, and change management.” With the technology consultancy market crowded, Bhatti says they had to stand out via a highly professionalised approach: “Many competitors focus purely on sales rather than consulting.”

Looking ahead there are further hurdles on the horizon including navigating economic uncertainty amid a cautious spending climate among customers, scaling the business while maintaining service quality, and educating clients on the need to maintain and improve their digital resilience. However, the firm’s goal, according to the two leaders, is to become “the go-to partner for security, compliance, and cloud strategy” makes these challenges worthwhile.

The post CNNECT; Delivering Best-In-Class Cloud & Cybersecurity Solutions appeared first on Real Business.

Our digital landscape is evolving rapidly, and businesses that can’t keep up risk falling behind. One effective strategy for staying ahead is outsourcing software development. 

By leveraging external expertise, companies can scale efficiently, reduce costs, and accelerate their time to market, all of which contribute to significant business growth.

In this guide, we’ll explore how outsourcing software development can drive business expansion, boost efficiency, and help companies focus on their core strengths.

Why Businesses Choose to Outsource Software Development

It is now a fact that businesses of all sizes outsource development to software outsourcing companies like Innowise.com. But why are they doing this?

Access to Top Talent

An International software outsourcing company can provide a global pool of skilled developers. This means businesses would no longer be restricted to local developers with a possibly limited skill set.

Cost Efficiency

Outsourcing eliminates expenses related to in-house hiring, training, and infrastructure.

Faster Development Cycles

Projects can progress around the clock across different time zones, speeding up software delivery.

Scalability & Flexibility

Businesses can scale teams up or down as needed without long-term commitments.

Focus on Core Business Functions

Companies can direct resources toward strategy, innovation, and customer engagement while leaving software development to experts.

How Outsourcing Software Development Fuels Business Growth

Faster Product Development and Market Entry

Speed matters in today’s competitive market. The longer it takes to launch a product, the higher the risk of being outpaced by competitors. This is why modern businesses rely on a software outsourcing company to get the job done. Outsourcing allows businesses to:

• Accelerate product development with experienced teams that require minimal onboarding.
• Work across different time zones for 24/7 progress.
• Avoid hiring delays by accessing pre-vetted developers who are ready to start immediately.

Significant Cost Savings

Hiring an in-house team is generally pricey; salaries, benefits, office space, and training costs add up. Outsourcing eliminates many of these overheads.

Companies in North America and Western Europe save up to 70% on development costs by outsourcing to Eastern Europe, Asia, or Latin America.

Businesses only pay for what they need, avoiding unnecessary full-time hires.

Enhanced Product Quality with Global Expertise

When businesses outsource, they gain access to specialists who have extensive experience in various technologies, industries, and frameworks.

Tech startups can even collaborate with top machine learning experts from Ukraine or Germany, while Fintech companies can hire cybersecurity specialists without permanently onboarding them.

By leveraging this expertise, businesses build superior products that enhance customer satisfaction and retention.

Scalability and Flexibility

Outsourcing gives companies the agility to scale their development teams based on demand.

Need to speed up development? Quickly onboard extra developers.

Finished a major release? Scale down to cut costs.

For instance, an online business launching a new app can temporarily expand its development team through outsourcing and reduce staff after launch, effectively optimising resources.

Mitigating Risks and Improving Security

While security concerns exist in outsourcing, working with reputable providers ensures compliance with international standards such as ISO, GDPR, and HIPAA.

Businesses can mitigate risks by enforcing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), strict security protocols, and regular audits. By outsourcing security-sensitive tasks to certified firms, companies can enhance their data protection strategies.

Common Issues When Outsourcing (How to Overcome Them)

While outsourcing offers numerous advantages, it also presents challenges. Addressing these proactively ensures a smoother process.

Communication Barriers and Time Zone Differences

• Establish clear communication channels using tools like Slack, Trello, and Jira.
• Set overlapping work hours for real-time collaboration.
• Conduct regular video meetings to align expectations.

Quality Control Issues

• Choose partners with a track record and case studies you can verify.
• Request a pilot project before committing to long-term contracts.
• Implement strict testing and quality assurance (QA) measures.

Security and Intellectual Property Concerns

• Sign NDAs and contracts that define security responsibilities.
• Partner with firms that follow international data protection regulations.
• Restrict access to sensitive information based on project needs.

How to Pick A Software Outsourcing Partner

Ensuring your team has the right outsourcing provider is crucial for achieving business growth. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

• Define Your Goals & Requirements
• What expertise do you need?
• What’s your budget and timeline?
• Do you need short-term help or a long-term partnership?

Evaluate Technical Expertise

Review portfolios, client testimonials, and industry experience and ensure they know your tech stack.

Assess Communication & Workflow

Look for teams that use Agile or Scrum methodologies and confirm time zone compatibility and language fluency.

Verify Security & Compliance Measures

• Ensure the provider follows data protection regulations like GDPR or HIPAA.
• Sign security agreements and NDAs.

Test Before Committing

Start with a small project to get a snapshot of your performance metrics. Assess code quality, timeliness, and collaboration effectiveness.

Industries Benefiting the Most from Software Development Outsourcing

1. Healthcare

• Telemedicine
• AI diagnostics
• Electronic health records (EHRs)

2. Fintech

• Fraud detection systems
• AI-powered trading bots
• Mobile banking apps

3. E-Commerce

• AI-driven product recommendations
• Inventory automation
• Secure payment integrations

4. Gaming & Entertainment

• 3D modeling
• AI-driven interactions
• Real-time multiplayer capabilities

Conclusion

Outsourcing software development is a growth accelerator for businesses looking to scale quickly, optimise costs, and enhance product quality.

By choosing the right outsourcing model and partner, companies can maximise efficiency while focusing on their core business functions.

For businesses that want to stay ahead in the digital age, outsourcing is not just an option—it’s a necessity.

Bonus Section: How TO Transition from In-House to Outsourced Software 

Start Small with a Pilot Project

Instead of shifting all development work at once, start by outsourcing a small, non-critical project. This helps you evaluate the provider’s work quality and compatibility with your company’s operations.

Create an In-House + Outsourcing Hybrid Model.

Rather than entirely replacing your internal team, use outsourcing to complement your existing staff. Have your core team handle strategic planning while outsourcing execution-heavy tasks.

Document Everything Before Transitioning

Before handing over development to an outsourcing firm, ensure all processes, codebases, and workflows are well-documented. This will avoid confusion and knowledge loss.

Establish a Strong Communication Framework

Use tools like Slack, Jira, and Trello to maintain seamless communication. Set up weekly standups and reporting mechanisms to stay updated on progress.

Implement a Phased Transition Plan

Move to outsourcing in stages. Start with minor tasks, then gradually increase the complexity of outsourced projects as you gain confidence in the process.

Set Up Legal Safeguards

Ensure intellectual property (IP) protection, data security, and compliance by having ironclad contracts, NDAs, and service-level agreements (SLAs) in place.

Track Performance and Optimise

Continuously monitor performance metrics like development speed, cost savings, and software quality. If the outsourcing partner doesn’t meet expectations, iterate and adjust until you achieve the perfect workflow.

FAQ

Will I lose control over my project if I outsource?

Not if you choose the right partner.

How do I ensure that you keep the quality of outsourced software?

Implement a testing and validation process to maintain quality standards.

Will outsourcing cost me more in the long run?

Only if poorly managed. The key is to avoid cheap, low-quality providers that can create costly mistakes.

What if I need to switch outsourcing providers mid-project?

It’s possible but challenging. Minimise disruption by securing all documentation, ensuring clear code ownership, and negotiating flexible contracts.

The post How Software Development Outsourcing Can Drive Business Growth appeared first on Real Business.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept but a key tool in the digital transformation of businesses. Its adoption is ushering in a new era of productivity, automation, and advanced data analytics.

However, effectively and sustainably integrating AI into the business environment is a challenge that requires strategic planning.

To achieve this, you can either leverage an AI and innovation program or continue reading this article, where we will explain how companies can implement AI in a way that maximises its impact and ensures responsible adoption. Let’s get started!

5 strategies for integrating AI into a business

1. To define clear objectives aligned with business strategy

The first step to integrating AI effectively is to identify how it can contribute to the organisation’s overall business objectives. This involves setting clear, measurable goals that align with the company’s long-term strategy.

Rather than adopting AI simply to follow a trend, companies should ask themselves: How can this technology address specific challenges? How will it improve efficiency, enhance the customer experience, or optimise decision-making?

For example, instead of implementing AI just to automate tasks, it could be used to improve data analysis for more informed decision-making.

In this regard, it is essential for managers and technical teams to work closely together to ensure that AI-based solutions address real and strategic needs.

2. Empower the team and foster an AI culture

The successful integration of AI depends not only on the technology itself but also on the people who use it. For a company to fully realise the potential of AI, it is essential to train its workforce and create a company culture that supports technological change.

This involves investing in training and developing digital skills, not only for technical teams but also for those who will make decisions based on AI outputs. Additionally, fostering a culture of experimentation, where the team is encouraged to try new solutions, can accelerate the adoption process.

The combination of technical skills and an environment that values innovation will be crucial to successful and sustainable integration.

3. Start with pilot projects

One of the most recommended strategies for integrating AI into the business environment is to begin with pilot projects. This approach allows the technology to be tested in limited environments before being deployed across the entire organisation. Pilot projects provide a controlled environment to identify potential failures, refine AI models, and adjust expectations.

Success in these initial experiments can build confidence in the technology and demonstrate its real value, making broader adoption easier.

It also enables technical teams and managers to learn from mistakes and fine-tune implementations before moving to larger-scale integration.

4. Collaborate with specialised technology partners

Implementing AI can be technically challenging, so partnering with specialised providers can be a smart strategy. Many companies lack the resources or in-house expertise to develop advanced AI solutions from scratch, so collaborating with technology providers experienced in this field can speed up the adoption process.

These partnerships also provide companies with access to the latest technology and experts who can guide them towards the right integration, ensuring faster and more efficient deployment.

5. Constantly evaluate and optimise AI performance

Once AI solutions are in place, it’s crucial not to assume that everything will continue to run smoothly indefinitely. AI must be continuously evaluated and adjusted to ensure that it meets its stated objectives and adapts to changes in the business environment.

This involves reviewing the performance of algorithms, adjusting models when necessary, and staying updated on technological advancements that can enhance their performance.

By adopting an iterative and agile approach, companies can continuously optimise their AI solutions, keeping them aligned with business goals and adapted to new market challenges.

Integrating AI into the business environment is a process that, while offering great benefits, requires careful planning and a strategic approach. By following these steps, companies will be able to effectively harness the benefits of AI, ensuring both short-term success and long-term adaptability.

The post Strategies For Effectively & Sustainably Integrating Artificial Intelligence Into The Business Environment appeared first on Real Business.

The global FinTech industry has boomed over recent years, with revenue nearly doubling since 2017. With new financial solutions changing how people manage their money, businesses are having to find new innovative ways to capture the attention of customers.

FinTech businesses continue to use the latest consumer trends to create cutting-edge solutions that can generate new leads. As the financial market evolves, both personal finances, payment trends and business transactions utilise more technological advancements.

In this article, we look into five of the most notable 2024 trends that are reshaping the industry and driving FinTech business growth.

AI Technologies

With 90% of global FinTech companies already heavily relying on artificial intelligence (AI), not utilising the technological capabilities will make it difficult for a FinTech business to keep up with the fast pace of the industry.

AI technologies such as data-driven insights and predictive analytics help drive growth by segmenting customers and being able to nurture the leads. By being able to understand the buying behavior of potential customers, a business can guide them through the decision-making process in a way that aligns with their preferences.

Factors such as purchase intent and financial behaviors are key insights that can be used to tailor content. By segmenting the audience into different categories, they can be highly targeted in a way that resonates with their needs and answers their questions.

Video Content

Video marketing has blown up in 2024, and the FinTech industry is no exception. With consumers being proven to engage with visual content, there has been a notable shift in the way that businesses now choose to communicate with their audience.

For complex financial products or services, video content is a great way to break down information in a way that is easily digestible for the viewer. Some effective content ideas include live demonstrations, Q&A style discussions, and talks from industry experts. By displaying thought leadership, trust and credibility is naturally built up for the viewer–especially important in the FinTech industry.

As well as being a great form of content to use on a brand’s website, video content can then be repurposed for use across social media channels to increase visibility and gain more traction.

Influencer Marketing

When people think of influencer marketing, they do not tend to associate it with corporate industries. With this being said, FinTech firms are proven to resonate more with younger generations, so influencer marketing is becoming an increasingly popular approach.

Using influencers to educate on financial products in a simple and relatable way helps resonate with those who may find financial services overwhelming and complex. Educating the younger generation online is helping to grow the FinTech industry further, changing financial behaviour as we know it and creating a more financially-savvy market.

Connecting with influencers who are established in personal development or finance is a great way for FinTech businesses to build credibility, spreading a message about their offering through a trusted platform that has the ability to influence their audience.

Website Chatbots

For FinTech businesses, being able to provide 24/7 support to their customers is a great way to connect with their audience and resolve issues in a timely manner.

In 2024, a large number of FinTech websites now display a chatbot service that utilises AI to provide answers to common queries and search terms. Whether the user has questions about pricing or is unsure about the platform features, the chatbot will provide a personalised response in an instant.

As well as providing support to website visitors, this is a great way to help businesses cut down on the amount of support staff needed, allowing their sales team to focus efforts elsewhere.

Thought Leadership

For businesses to be able to build trust among new customers, they need to position themselves as reputable experts. In 2024, consumers are becoming more savvy when searching for financial services so establishing credibility will help drive leads.

By producing unique educational content such as blog articles, whitepapers, or webinars, a business can display their expertise in the field and become a go-to source of reliable information.

Thought leadership is also an effective way to drive new traffic to a website as users who are searching questions related to the topic covered by the FinTech business will end up landing on their content. At this stage, they are more likely to get in touch regarding the products or service offered, turning leads into new customers.

Has 2024 Shaped The Future Of FinTech?

Fintech automation has been taking over the financial world for some time now, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down! In such a dynamic field, FinTech companies need to keep up with the trends and continue to provide cutting-edge solutions that generate new leads. With this year alone displaying trends such as AI insights, video content, influencer marketing, website chatbots, and thought leadership content, standing out in the competitive landscape is a necessity.

As we near the end of the year, looking back at the year in the financial industry has shown dominating trends that help draw in new customers and further grow the industry, leaving us expecting further advancements in the not-so-distant future.

The post Meet The FinTech Lead Generation Trends Driving Business Growth In 2024 appeared first on Real Business.

In the age of information technology, it is worth exploring what an IT consulting services are and what they can do for your business. They are now some of the most in-demand consultants in the UK and around the world offering both large and small business consulting services to support business owners at every stage of their business’ development. But with the costly price tag attached to IT consultant services, is it worth investing in their knowledge and expertise?

In this article, we’ll have a look at some of the things that an IT consultant can do for your business, and then you can decide for yourself whether their services are worth investing in or not.

At the end of the day, an IT consultant has the ability to transform your IT capabilities for the better, introducing your to emerging technologies that can help you achieve your business objectives so much faster that you might otherwise, and thousands of businesses have benefited irreversibly from their professional services.

What Can An IT Consultant Do For Your Business?

Whether it’s small business consultants you’re looking for to help set up your IT infrastructure or larger consultancy firms who can support with large scale project management software, business IT consulting services can offer both large and small business owners the chance to reach their business goals, improve business operations and develop their technical expertise with ease.

The exact role and definition of an IT consultant, however, is a complex one, and the exact benefits that they can offer your business will differ from consultant to consultant and will also depend heavily on what type of industry you’re in.

That being said, the average IT consultant should be able to offer your business the following:

Advice On The Best Data Security

A data security breach would cause havoc in your business. Hackers can use your sensitive data against you, hold it ransom, or delete it all in the click of a button if you don’t have the necessary data security systems in place.

An IT consultant assesses the potential holes in your networking and communication systems and finds ways to make them more secure. With many people working remotely nowadays, network security is more important than ever before and IT consultancy will usually involve practical solutions and strategic guidance when it comes to data protection and security measures.

Analyse Existing IT Platforms And Offer Optimised Solutions

How long has your current IT system been in place? Do you perhaps think aspects of it are in need of an upgrade? An IT consultant will be able to advise on the ideal technology upgrades to streamline your processes and stay ahead of the game.

You don’t want to get left in the dark ages when it comes to technology, and even small upgrades could offer immense benefits in terms of optimisation. Even just investing in the latest cloud computing software can make collaboration among employees more streamlined – improving existing systems and making your business run smoother is a key job for IT consultants.

Find Solutions To Your Business Challenges

Strangely enough, an IT consultant’s most impressive skill isn’t their IT knowledge and ability to help you implement new systems – it’s actually the way they get to know your business needs and help you achieve the goals you’ve been struggling to reach. Through strategic planning and ongoing support, those who have a proven track record for offering an outstanding IT consultancy service can help you reach heights you never thought possible.

Optimising the IT-related aspects of your business can directly assist with finding solutions to seemingly unrelated issues facing your business. Investing in an IT consultant can help you increase profits and streamline a variety of processes.

Act As A Bridge Between Your Employees And Tech Teams

When it comes to IT upgrades, new security systems and implementing new optimised processes, it is imperative that everyone knows what is going on and is on the same page. Or else frustrations can be felt and confusion can lead to a rejection of the same new systems that are designed to make your business operate more effectively.

An IT consultant will act as a bridge between your tech teams and general staff by explaining the various processes to them, why they’re being implemented, and the difference they’ll make to everyday tasks your workers have to complete. Consultants of all kinds are known for their excellent communication skills and will be able to collaborate with your in-house team effectively.

Implementation

While a consultant’s main role is to offer advice, professional consultants should also be able to implement some of the software and security systems that they recommend and help handle and manage the implementation process to ensure it runs smoothly.

If an IT consultant offering advisory services tells you that a piece of software would make a real difference to your business strategy and operations, but then fails to support in implementing that software, beware. Any IT consultant worth their salt will want to stick around to see the changes put in place and to watch your business succeed as a direct result of the advice they’ve given.

What Skills Do IT Consultants Possess?

IT consultants bring a wealth of IT knowledge and experience to the table. As they deal with a variety of different business models, they are able to come up with creative and customised solutions to your IT-related problems.

It is part of their job to keep up with the latest advances in technology so that they can always offer you the most effective, modernised and sustainable solutions to your business problems. Skills that professional IT consultants should possess include:

• Problem-solving skills
• Communication skills
• Creative thinking
• Analytical approach to things
• Flexibility
• An ability to get to know your business deeply and identify areas for improvement

As no business is quite the same as another, an IT consultant should be able to come up with completely customised and creative solutions to your IT issues. These solutions should also be sustainable and should be able to support with consistent business growth. In most cases, an IT consultant’s services should be one-off, and you shouldn’t be having to invest in consultancy every few months unless you are a very large company looking to resolve numerous IT-related issues.

However, as business grow – from small businesses to medium sized businesses; medium to large – you ought to consider consulting services again to manage the change in size and pace of business. This ensures your IT systems are aligned with your business objectives and you stand a greater chance of success.

What If I Already Have An IT Team In Place?

Just because you have an IT team in place does not mean that you won’t benefit from an IT consultant. In fact arguably, you may have more to gain. If you have taken the decision to invest in a team, it is well-worth reviewing if you are getting maximum value. IT teams can become complacent. An IT consultant is not there to replace your IT team but rather to help guide them and optimise the way that they do things.

Think of such a review as any other critical appraisal. Even if you believe your IT team offer you a great service, this doesn’t always mean that they have the ability and capacity to do the job of a professional and experienced IT consultant. In many areas of business and management, critical appraisal is used as a method of reviewing systems. IT should not be any different and an external consultant can be effective at delivering this.

What Can An IT Consultant Do For Your Business: Final Thoughts

Hopefully today we’ve been able to show that an IT consultant can make a huge difference to your business. If there are areas in which you know you’re struggling, that an in house IT team simply can’t solve, then look to outside help. New systems, a new method of doing things, software development ideas, and an in depth understanding of your business needs and which IT technological advancements can support you.

However, you should do your due diligence before hiring any consultant to support with your business, as you have to be sure that the path they’ll take you down is one you want to be on. Always do your research before hiring an IT consultant. You want to choose someone who is the best fit for your company and perhaps has experience in relevant industries.

Get this right, and you’ll surely find IT consultancy to be an excellent addition to your business.

The post What Can An IT Consultant Do For Your Business? appeared first on Real Business.

Image by Alexandra_Koch from Pixabay

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a technology reserved for large corporations with vast resources. It has become a powerful tool for small businesses, transforming operations and providing them with competitive advantages. From automating routine tasks to enhancing customer experience, AI-driven tools make it easier for small businesses to operate efficiently and scale effectively. This post will explore how AI revolutionises small business operations and how entrepreneurs can leverage these tools for growth. 

The Role of AI in Small Business Operations

In today’s fast-paced business environment, small businesses must constantly seek ways to increase productivity while minimising costs. AI is emerging as a critical solution, offering tools and platforms that automate time-consuming tasks and enhance decision-making. Here are some key areas where AI is making a significant impact on small business operations.

1. Automating Administrative Tasks

Managing administrative tasks is one of the most time-consuming aspects of running a small business. These include invoicing, payroll, scheduling, and inventory management.

AI-powered tools like QuickBooks and Xero are helping small business owners automate their accounting processes, reduce errors, and save valuable time.

For scheduling, AI-driven tools such as Calendly can automate booking appointments and meetings, ensuring no overlaps and freeing up hours that would have been spent on manual scheduling. In inventory management, AI-powered solutions can predict stock levels, analyse sales patterns, and place orders automatically, ensuring small businesses never run out of popular items or overstock on products that don’t sell as well.

2. Enhancing Customer Service with Chatbots

Customer service is one area where AI is having a transformative effect, especially for small businesses that don’t have the resources to hire large customer support teams. AI-powered chatbots like Zohodesk and Drift can handle various customer inquiries, from answering common questions to processing orders and troubleshooting issues.

These chatbots are available 24/7, ensuring customers get immediate assistance improving their overall experience with the business. Additionally, AI can analyse customer interactions and provide insights into areas where the business can improve its services or products.

3. Optimise Marketing Efforts with AI

Marketing is essential for any business looking to attract new customers and grow its brand. However, running successful marketing campaigns can be time-consuming and costly. AI-powered marketing tools are changing the game by offering data-driven insights, automating campaigns, and personalising customer experiences.

For instance, tools like HubSpot and Marketo use AI to analyse customer behavior, segment audiences, and create targeted marketing that resonates with specific demographics. These tools can also automate email marketing, social media posting, and ad placements. By leveraging AI in marketing, small businesses can improve their ROI while reducing the manual effort needed to create and manage campaigns.

4. Improve Decision-Making with AI Analytics

Data is an invaluable asset for small businesses, but it can be overwhelming to interpret and act on without proper tools. AI-powered analytics platforms like Tableau and Power BI allow small businesses to make sense of their data, providing actionable insights that can drive growth.

AI can analyse sales data, customer behaviour, and market trends to predict future outcomes, helping businesses make informed decisions. For example, a small retailer can use AI to identify which products will likely sell the most during a particular season, allowing them to stock up in advance.

By integrating AI analytics into their operations, small businesses can better understand their performance and make smarter decisions that lead to greater profitability.

5. Ensuring Security for Your Data

In an age where data breaches are a common threat, small businesses must prioritize data security. AI-driven tools can help ensure data security compliance by continuously monitoring systems for vulnerabilities and detecting potential breaches before they occur.

Tools like Darktrace and Symantec use AI algorithms to analyse network activity and identify unusual patterns that may indicate a cyber attack. By leveraging AI for data security, small businesses can protect sensitive information and build trust with their customers, who expect their data to be kept safe.

Endnote

AI is no longer just a buzzword; it is a practical and powerful tool that revolutionises how small businesses operate. By automating routine tasks, enhancing customer service, optimising marketing efforts, improving decision-making, and ensuring data security, AI-driven tools provide small businesses with the resources they need to scale efficiently.

As AI technology evolves, small businesses that embrace these tools will be well-positioned to thrive in an increasingly competitive market. Now is the time to explore AI solutions that can transform your business and help you achieve greater success.

The post How AI Is Revolutionising Small Business Operations appeared first on Real Business.

The emergence of fintech will continue to offer transformative benefits for businesses throughout a wide range of industries in 2024 and beyond, and its impact will be comprehensive as the technological landscape continues to grow. 

With the global fintech market size projected to grow to $882.3 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 17%, it’s clear that the evolution of the financial technology landscape will help to complement the digital transformation efforts of businesses across a range of sectors. 

Digital transformation stemming from the fintech landscape carries a diverse range of benefits for businesses. Ranging from marketing innovation to payment diversification, there are plenty of opportunities for companies to capitalise on. With this in mind, let’s explore five fintech innovations that are driving transformative change:

1. Embracing the Open Finance Revolution

Open finance represents the evolution of open banking into a space where all financial data between banks and just about any other trusted third party can be seamlessly shared through application programming interfaces (APIs).

Through the democratisation of this data, open finance paves the way for a frictionless landscape for any business that accepts consumer payments or works with the financial data of its users. 

Open finance insights can leverage financial management across many different platforms and provide personalised services tailored to the individual needs of customers.

This innovation helps businesses embrace digital transformation by providing a service that matches the needs and expectations of consumers throughout a diverse range of industries.

2. Next-Generation Payments

Whether your business is online-based or brick-and-mortar, fintech can offer meaningful change by transforming the payment experience at online checkouts or point-of-sale (POS).

But what is POS? And how can the technology drive digital transformation both in-store and online? Point-of-sale technology can help brick-and-mortar stores to accept payments in a more versatile and instantaneous way.

This can pave the way for real-time payments that leverage cost-free instant domestic transactions, helping to facilitate a more seamless experience for customers.

Through integrated banking apps or digital wallets, these real-time payments are rapidly taking over the consumer landscape. This form of transaction has accelerated in recent years, and India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a leading example. Between 2016 and 2023, transactions using UPI boomed from 1 million to 83.7 billion, growing to represent 75% of all digital payments domestically. 

Real-time payments on next-generation technology will grow to accommodate alternative payments. Already, it’s become commonplace to use Apple Pay or Google Pay for mobile transactions, but next-generation payments will provide more functionality for cryptocurrency and buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) options to improve the volume of transactions that businesses can accommodate.

3. Driving Consumer Inclusivity

Another way that fintech innovations are driving digital transformation for businesses is by levelling the financial playing field among consumers. By breaking down the barriers to the adoption of financial services, it’s possible to turn underserved communities into thriving consumer bases.

For businesses, this means that digital transformation efforts can be rewarded with far more extensive consumer bases on a global scale, helping to cater on a borderless level. 

Emerging fintechs like challenger banks, which operate through mobile banking, digital wallets, and peer-to-peer (P2P) lending services, can all help to offer financial inclusivity to consumers, which can help them access products and services on an unprecedented scale.

This can help businesses grow digitally and discover economic opportunities in markets that may otherwise be inaccessible.

4. The Blockchain Revolution

The potential of blockchain can’t be overstated. By embracing distributed digital ledger technology, businesses can provide unprecedented transaction security to consumers to ensure that their payments are more intelligent and frictionless.

Because of their immutable capabilities, blockchains can revolutionise trust between businesses and consumers, and the technology opens the door to smart contract agreements for instances of lending, where parties can agree on the terms of transactions that automatically execute when predetermined conditions are met.

One of the most transformative impacts of blockchain for businesses will be the authentication ecosystems they deliver based on zero-knowledge proof. This empowers customers to use shared data from authorised partner institutions to verify their identity online to improve KYC services and offer far quicker access to services in industries related to healthcare and government. 

5. Actionable Consumer Insights

Fintech innovations can also transform the marketing strategies of businesses. This is achieved by democratising customer spending insights for companies.

When a customer makes a purchase either in-store or online, the sheer volume of data they can leave is a treasure trove of information that marketing strategies can build on.

From the items they had been exploring prior to the type of products they ultimately decided to buy and their preferred payment methods, the sheer volume of insights that can shape marketing strategies could pave the way for a more efficient level of segmentation.

Machine learning (ML) platforms are evolving to become more proficient at identifying and utilising these insights for businesses to refine their customer acquisition and retention strategies, and in understanding purchasing behaviour, it’s possible for brands to learn what offers to create, how to shape promotions, and when to market products on a scale that’s never been utilised before.

Unlocking the Potential of Fintech

All ambitious businesses should be exploring the ways in which they can embrace digital transformation through fintech today. With competition online becoming increasingly stringent throughout many industries, fintech can offer advantages for brands to appeal directly to an untapped market before their rivals can catch up.

Fintech evolution also offers greater levels of scalability, security, and convenience for all parties and should rank high on the list of priorities among decision-makers.

In looking to fintech for innovative solutions, it’s possible to safeguard the future of your business today.

The post Meet The 5 Fintech Innovations Driving Digital Transformation in Business appeared first on Real Business.

What is the role of IT in business? Information technology or the IT department is a crucial part of any company’s business as they monitor and manage almost everything in information technology and communication systems. Essentially, IT is involved in all business operations, from data management to business processes, finances to computer systems – every aspect of a business is influenced by IT in this day and age, and it continues to only grow in importance. Effective business strategies don’t exist today without the support of IT, so every business owner has to understand its importance for them.

IT in business exists as the epicentre of communication, efficient data management, data processing, and it’s intricately woven into all business systems that help businesses operate day to day. Not many companies, big or small, could survive without a good IT department making them imperative to a business’s day-to-day existence. From sending an email to changing a password, accessing databases to advanced security measures for the business such as firewall and intrusion detection systems, and everything in between, your IT team is there to help every step of the way.

As a business owner it’s vital that you understand IT’s importance today, or else you risk being overtaken by your competitors and left in the dust as they recognise the value of a strong IT department. You have to ask yourself as a business owner: “how does information technology affect business?” so you can gain a competitive advantage.

In this article, we are going to look at what is the role of information technology in business and what makes this department so important to every business in the 21st century.

What Is Information Technology?

Information technology revolves around how data is made, stored and, most importantly, shared in the realm of computer science. Those looking for work in the IT industry likely have grown up with technical skills in information systems. This helps businesses, as the technical understanding of IT aids overall efficiency.

Digital systems are interwoven with every aspect of a business today. Think about. The old cash in hand system for paying workers is all but extinct. How can you expect your human resources and finance team to achieve their goals without proper IT systems in place to speed up the process.

Everything from artificial intelligence imbedded in data analytics tools to video conferencing communication involves information systems. The thing is, you need an IT expert in your arsenal to ensure a competitive advantage over others in your field.

IT in business gives the following perks:

• Productivity – Information systems exist not just for the management but for workers too. Using tested and proven solutions, such as programs to automate busywork, you can eliminate wasted time and ensure workers can focus on what really matters to the business. Teaching staff information technology that allows for sharing or greater cooperation can also ensure that it can be passed down the necessary channels without time being a concern.
• Optimisation – A lot of IT in business exists so that tasks can be optimised for the best result. For example, data analytics software likely can’t do your job for you, but it can lend you insights that make data analysis much more streamlined, comprehensive and, in the end, more effective. If you’re looking at market trends, for example, IT systems can quickly analyse the data for you, but it’s your employee’s job to then interpret that data and create an effective business plan that puts you ahead of the game.
• Safety – Through the use of firewalls and authentication systems, businesses can reinforce their defences, ensuring both their sensitive information and that of their customers are not accessed without reason, or by unauthorised parties. Today, data protection is more important than anything in business. If you’re not actively fighting scammers at every turn, then you’re a sitting duck. Scammers are incredibly intelligent and know how to infiltrate and abuse multiple computer networks. Make sure your business’ data is not within their reach.
• Saving Costs – Cloud computing alone has allowed companies to dodge the need to build their internal storage systems. Automation has also been one of many tested and proven solutions to reduce the cost of human error. Operational costs fall dramatically when IT is involved, which is exactly why every business should consider an IT department or IT specialist to ensure costs can be cut and profits can soar.
• Customer Experience Overhaul – CRM (customer relationship management) is a huge part of business management. Using live chats and ticketing systems, you can track customer needs and wants and deliver on them in a much more streamlined way. By utilising CRMs, you can build a long-term business relationship with your customer, allowing you to solve their issues before they drag on for too long.
• Simplification – By using information technology to create an organised internal system, such as creating data flows between different departments etc, you can make meeting business requirements easier. IT solutions are so popular for a reason – they make running your business simpler. The rest of the benefits discussed today are great, of course, but ultimately it’s about making running a business as simple as it can be. That doesn’t mean it’s easy, but it allows you to focus on the bigger picture rather than getting bogged down in the nitty gritty.
• Business Management – Through the utilisation of business information technology, the upper management can have a much more comprehensive overview of their company, capabilities, and goals. It also allows you to manage and promote professional development within employees’ careers, tracking progress towards their goals and ensuring they continue to be a genuine asset to your team.
• Expansion – Growth is achievable with the high efficiency that today’s business information technology capabilities bring, whether that be connecting with customers beyond your local area, or through the use of cloud computing and other advances in computer science to overhaul your business without having to invest in infrastructure.
• Transparency – By ensuring accurate information that can be displayed across different teams, you’ve essentially got a business where everyone knows exactly where they stand. A strong foundation of trust is the key to any business’ success.

Productivity

Microsoft Excel is considered a very basic tool in today’s technology stack. But before its widespread use, there were countless hours devoted to manual data entry. That data would then be kept in filing cabinets. Whenever it was needed, it would have to be looked for, and any changes to the document had to be logged. And if there was an error, then hours of working time would be lost to fixing it.

In today’s business information technology driven world, there’s no real parallel anymore. The software handles tasks such as invoice generation, basic data entry and report creation – allowing employees to handle higher-functioning tasks that bring value to the business and develop their core competencies.

Thanks to cloud computing, sharing is easier than ever, and its usefulness has bled into our everyday lives. Communication skills have been improved thanks to software like Teams, which opened up so many opportunities for businesses when the pandemic resulted in a quarantine. Overall, good use of business information technology results in a healthier and much more in-synch business environment.

Safeguarding Data And Information

The ultimate goal of safeguarding is to protect personal and business data from compromise. The IT department will ensure data safeguarding, meaning industry-standard safeguards are in place company-wide to protect against the destruction, loss, misuse, unauthorised disclosure, or alteration of company-related data or employee and customer confidential information.

IT also has to ensure they are abiding by data-protection laws through safeguarding important information from corruption, compromise or loss.

Examples of data breaches could be hackers stealing information or misused personal data regarding the company of the employees. The consequences of this are huge both financially and through reputation. Only by building trust over a long period can you develop a long-term business relationship with your customers, and proper data protection reinforced by robust IT systems is the key.

Problem Shooting

Troubleshooting refers to problem-solving in the digital world. Troubleshooting can be applied to several different things such as the repairing of failed digital products or processes on a PC or a system.

When a problem is troubleshot, a systematic and logical search is carried out for the source of a proof-solving solution making the product or process fully operational again. Troubleshooting is also used to identify the symptoms when something is wrong.

A competent IT department in any business is the first port of call when it comes to an issue or problem with a computer. If an employee has locked themselves out of their computer, forgotten a password or cannot get access to a particular drive, for example, IT is usually a quick call away from getting this issue fixed.

This smooths out the entire operational process of a business, simplifying everyday problems with fast solutions.

Security And The Maintenance Of Databases

The IT department is responsible for ensuring that the efficiency and security procedures of the business are up to standard. Hornetsecurity.com defines IT security as:

‘intending to prevent the manipulation of data and systems by unauthorised third parties. The meaning behind this is those socio-technical systems, i.e. people and technology, within companies/organisations and their data are protected against damage and threats.’

It is also there for the creation, maintenance and administration of databases for things like business sales transactions, financial records, product catalogues, trends, customer profiles and marketing activities to name but a few.

Cloud-Based Solution Management

So what is a cloud-based solution? It is an on-demand service for almost anything and everything you can ‘save’ such as computer network information, storage, applications or resources accessed via the internet and through an external provider’s shared cloud (servers that are accessed over the internet) computing infrastructure.

Businesses large and small, right from the local candle shop to industry giants such as Microsoft and Google use cloud-based solutions to keep control of their digital or physical offices and employees globally. If you’re in business today, it’s likely that you’ll already be using cloud based solutions to many everyday business problems.

Analyse Data

IT in business enables you to analyse specific data and help to plan the business journey accordingly using the trends and information presented in the data. IT can also efficiently equip businesses with tools which can solve challenging business obstacles and help to plan the future growth of the company.

In this day and age, digital marketing is something that businesses simply can’t live without. Users have access to the net 24/7 from their smartphone devices. The internet provides a digital marketing platform that allows businesses to promote their products or services to the global market who can see products sitting in the comfort of their own home.

Quick And Effective Communication

The beauty of being in the 21st century for business is the ease of communication. We live in an era where you can usually contact a business in an instant. The success of a company largely depends on understanding its customer’s needs, behaviours, buying trends, and satisfaction scales. Efficient and quick communication is the best mechanism when it comes to dealing with customer demands, problems and solutions.

The beauty of information technology is that it allows businesses to communicate with potentially millions of customers in real time on a global scale. IT in business provides countless ways to communicate with customers without them even having to leave the house. Such channels include emails, social media chats video calls, webinars, member forums, email newsletters or through the smartphone.

Invest in IT for your business, and watch as customer satisfaction flys.

Conclusion

It’s safe to say, that it is impossible to achieve long-term business success without harbouring the benefits of information technology in the heavily digital age we live in. IT in business gives you the necessary tools to expand and develop as both an individual and as a company.

If you don’t get to grips with the importance of information technology in business today, you leave yourself open to your competitors leaving you behind. Invest in IT, trust in your IT-savvy employees, and let information technology drive your business to even greater successes.

The post What Is The Role Of Information Technology In Business? appeared first on Real Business.

According to the National Retail Federation, in-store shopping still accounts for 80% of all shopping. Thanks to new discoveries in the tech world, going to a physical store is becoming more efficient (and even a little more fun). 

As technology continues to upgrade, it will affect in-store shopping. That also means letting go of some older, more traditional shopping trends and saying hello to greater experiences. With this in mind, let’s examine what trends will struggle to survive 2025 and why.

1. Standard Brick And Mortar

Technology has boomed over the years, so it was only a matter of time for in-store shopping to start getting “smart.” Smart retail stores, or brick-and-mortar stores using technology to improve the shopping experience, are on the rise. In fact, the global smart retail market is expected to incline to $62.2 billion by 2025. 

Smart stores use various technologies, including AI, robots, tap-to-pay tech for contactless checkout, and 7D interactive and immersive experiences. 

This will make the in-store shopping experience much smoother, and shoppers won’t have to struggle with waiting in long checkout lines or getting lost in the aisles trying to find what they need. 

(Image Source: Current)

2. Competition With Online Shopping

Over the years, there has been a large segregation between online and in-store shopping. As online retail giants threaten brick-and-mortar stores, many have filed for bankruptcy or closed their doors and stuck to online sales.

However, omnichannel retailing—shopping from multiple places such as online, in-store, or a mobile app—will work together more in 2025. 

Customers will be able to browse products online or on the app and pick them up in-store. They can also make returns and exchanges through the app, online, or in person. This will remove initial battles between standard brick-and-mortar businesses and online giants and bring the shopping experience together for 2025. 

3. Cash

Consumers have been carrying less and less cash when shopping. With all the loose bills and change, cash is easier to lose and harder to fit in your wallet. It is also known for carrying lots of germs. In a post-COVID, contactless world, the convenience of digital payments has become much more beneficial. 

Digital payments, or contactless payments, facilitate fast-paced and seamless transactions with the added benefit of security. Your smartphone can connect your credit or debit cards, allowing you to purchase anything at the counter quickly and easily. 

Better still, modern-day retail point of sale systems are programmed to accept contactless payments from various card and device types. This speeds up the checkout process and improves the customer experience. 

(Image Source: tech.co)

4. Dressing Rooms 

When you’re walking around a clothing store, and you see an item you like, your first thought is to try it on to find out if you like how you look in it. But sometimes, the dressing room line can be absurd. 

You’re waiting in a long line of other shoppers with piles of clothes in their hands, and there’s no telling how long that’ll take. Only to discover you don’t like the outfit. 

In 2025, shoppers will be able to enjoy in-store shopping without having to visit the dressing room. Thanks to augmented reality (AR) – an interactive experience that projects a computer-generated image straight onto your physical body– you’ll be able to try on clothes without having to step foot into a dressing room. 

These virtual dressing rooms are starting to pop up more and more and can help you picture the outfit before you buy it. 

5. Lack of Quality 

Mass production technology allows stores to create the same item rapidly. It typically helps to meet the demand for popularity. Sometimes, with over-creation comes a lack of quality in the products we consume, but in 2025, that’s going to change.

Thanks to new supply chain innovations, AI-powered inventory tracking, and an industry push for retailer sustainability, new technology can help businesses record all the steps of a product creation journey from start to finish and ensure that overproduction of fast-fashion, low-quality pieces no longer occurs. 

In addition, retailers are becoming more transparent, which helps to ensure ethical sourcing and better quality of products sold in-store.

2025 and Beyond

While 2025 is likely to end some of the largest traditional retail trends, saying goodbye to traditional forms of payment and brick-and-mortar vs. online store rivalry opens new doors for an omnichannel future and a smoother shopping experience.

The question is, where could the retail world go next? As we welcome new technologies to the industry every day, the only way is up for a digitalised shopping experience like no other. 

The post 5 In-Store Retail Trends That Won’t Make It To 2025 appeared first on Real Business.