Part 1: Dependence on Technology
It goes without saying that businesses have become truly dependent on technology, and that dependence is increasing at an ever-faster rate. There are many statistics on the subject, but they only reinforce what we already know: All businesses, in one form or another, are influenced, aided by, and sometimes completely dependent on technology. Technology is enabling new forms of products and services that we would have only dreamed of a decade ago.
In addition to new products and services, businesses dependence on technology is rapidly changing how and where we utilize the technology we are presented with. With an intense focus on SaaS (Software as a Service) applications and availability of those applications is expected from any device, always. Employees are no longer only working while at their desk. They are “always on” and are responding to emails, calls, orders, and other business needs instantly no matter the time or place.
“At the most basic level, access to data and applications, enable businesses to sell, make decisions, produce products and services, and earn revenue”
Even the concept of a traditional “desktop” operating system (OS) has been challenged and overcome by smart phones and tablets. The desktop is no longer the central hub. It has evolved into a collection of apps and the data and connectivity behind them, which follows users on whichever device they are using and wherever they are located. This virtual “pane of glass” is an organization’s view into its business, its work, and users’ daily lives. At the most basic level, access to data and applications, enable businesses to sell, make decisions, produce products and services, and earn revenue.
What does this all mean for business owners and executives today? If the systems that support these critical apps go down, employees throw up their hands and say, “I can’t work!”. Next to Internet access, Email downtime is probably the number one issue that causes business to come to a halt. Businesses are completely dependent on email and without it, business can suffer lost orders, lost productivity, and incur support hours to fix what is now an emergency.
Stay tuned for part 2 of this series next week…..“The Break-Fix Cycle”