Staying Ahead of the Technology Curve
Think back to when you were a kid. Did you have a cellphone to call your friends on the weekend? If you wanted to find out a fact, did you do a simple Google search to find the answer? For some of us, technology has been a part of our lives for as long as we can remember. But for others, we remember a world without laptops, apps and Smart TVs. This goes to show that within the span of a lifetime, technology has evolved drastically. Ten years ago, Facebook was just launching and the iPhone hadn’t been released yet. Today, Microsoft is operating on Windows 10 and Apple will be introducing a 7th generation iPhone. Society is advancing at a rapid rate, which sets expectations for technology.
Technology isn’t the only aspect of life that changes at a steady rate. As a home furnishings retailer, you probably don’t carry the same sofas you did a decade ago. The appliances you had on your showroom floor in the early 1990s would be looked at as archaic today. You probably don’t even have the clothes you were wearing when you first opened your store. If you’ve changed, evolved and grown, don’t you want the same for your business? Your answer is probably yes, but are the resources you use helping you to stay ahead of the curve?
It is important to keep up on the latest technology to efficiently operate your business. A three generational store could have been using pen and paper when it opened its doors, but chances are, it has converted to using a POS system. But, utilizing a system that was last updated too long ago to remember may be hurting your business. As technology evolves, processes become quicker and easier for the user. Features also become more advanced. Mobile technologies and integration to eCommerce sites are two examples of features that weren’t used in the past but are extremely popular, and useful, today. Without having tools that allow for continuous upgrades and enhancements, you will find yourself and your business stuck in the past.
When choosing a software solution to run your business, it is important to consider not only the technology available now, but what you will gain in the future. Are there frequent upgrades available? Are new products being steadily released? How much time is dedicated to development? These questions will help you to decide which solution will be most advantageous to your business for years to come.
Society is constantly changing in all aspects, whether it be fashion, trends, music or technology. Keeping up with the evolution of the world may seem like a challenge if you don’t have the right tools. With a software solution that can grow with you and adapt to the constant changes in retail and technology, you will find success in the present and the future.