Small business owners can take advantage of a lot of tools these days. Sure, some of these tools are complex, but there are some that are quite simple and easy to access.
It is these simple technologies that business owners, even the ones just starting off, can get their hands on to take that step forward. The following are examples of simple technologies worth considering.
GPS Powered Fleet
A small business owner can definitely invest in vehicle tracking, which can give businesses GPS fleet tracking telematics. Having access to this kind of data that is sent to your smart device gives a business owner more control over their fleet in different ways. The following are some ways GPS fleet tracking could make a difference:
Increased productivity, now that fleet members are being tracked because idle time will likely be reduced.
Unauthorized use of fleet will be likely reduced because all activity will be fed to your smart device as soon as it happens.
The ability to catch a thief is more likely, and that could make it easier to recover stolen property.
Some insurance companies may provide discounts when fleets are equipped with this simple GPS technology.
Route optimization is going to be possible, which will increase fuel efficiency.
Most of these points show how much money one can make with this small investment. It also shows how much a small business owner may end up saving, which is also important because low overhead is good for any owner.
Smarter Security System
Another good system to invest in is a smarter security system. Surely, you already have a security system in place, but today's IoT is allowing technology to take steps into the future, and your security system may need some major updates. Smart security systems not only give you more control, but they are able to protect your assets and place of business with more efficiency. The following are some things you can expect with this updated system:
The ability to install tools, like smart locks that can open or close remotely at your command.
Connect smart doorbells that come with live video feed capabilities so that you can unlock doors when needed and do this remotely.
Any movement triggers the system to record and send the video to the owner and any other identities.
Having an extra bit of security should help reduce insurance fees.
Being able to ask delivery personnel to drop off all items within the premises reduces the chances of theft, which reduces your overhead.
Gives you additional peace of mind, and that is priceless because the life of a small business owner is already stressful enough.
These are just some ways investing in this type of technology can help a small business. Of course, it does represent a significant investment, so it may be a good idea to secure a quick loan using traditional means or alternative options, such as peer-to-peer lending.
Drones for Business
Small businesses can also invest in a drone. There are several models available, and a business can find use for them in several ways. Now, the price for one of these drones can be a few hundred dollars to a little over a thousand, so it is important to learn how to use one of these devices before making such a big investment. The following are ways small businesses can use these devices:
Drones can be used to access places that are inaccessible, like caves, which could be helpful for certain companies.
These devices can be used to deliver goods or gifts to customers or partners.
The device could also be used to survey new land, new property, and to take video or images that could be used for later review.
Those who need to cover lots of land to do their job, like farmers that need to check their fences constantly can use drones to reduce the need to waste time walking the property on your own.
Drones can be used to send sensitive communications between you and your business partner or customer.
It is important to read the manual before usage to make sure you are prepared for anything you might need to do with this device. It should be pointed out that drones are valuable for many businesses, meaning that you can actually rent out the equipment if you want to make a little extra money from time to time.
Localized Cloud Capabilities
Most cloud services that businesses use nowadays are online. The cloud-based system gives a company a chance to store information on a far away server online. The business and everyone employed by said business is given an opportunity to access this information from anywhere as long as the employer or the owner has internet access.
Well, a transporter is a device that gives small business owners the opportunity to do all of this, but the information is stored locally. The following are some benefits of having a transporter:
A transporter is going to offer cloud-like services.
Having a transporter helps ensure data is safe, even if all other devices are down.
Transporter can reduce overhead in the long run because you won't have to pay a subscription for a regular online cloud system.
The ability to collaborate with multiple people in different locations is now possible.
You can offer cloud-like services to others for a price, which could end up making you a little extra income, and all small business owners need that.
A transporter is a relatively inexpensive office addition, but there are many other tools and devices that a small business can benefit from, depending on what the business needs. There are other types of tools, such as wireless printers/scanners or fully capable charging stations, just to name some.
Hopefully, this information helps you see how some technologies can be a blessing to any up and coming business person.
