Technology is advancing at such as rapid pace it can be hard to keep up. Read this article to find out what new tools your business simply can’t do without!

When setting up a new business — or renovating an old one — one of the biggest things you should think about is the technology available to your people to help them do their jobs. These days, business technology is in abundance, and advancements are occurring continuously. While ongoing change means you can’t always have the latest, greatest piece of new equipment, there are a number of technologies your business just shouldn’t do without. So from your business phone systems to your mobile devices, make work easier — and more successful!

Though not all brand new, or recently developed ideas, the below list highlights five items that can really help to take your business to a new level. In the current business climate, when competition is rife and businesses are preparing to do all they can to get on top, can you really afford to settle for less than the latest or the best?

1. Video conferencing
This is an ‘oldy but a goody’! While it has been around for some time, it really is a centrepiece of technology for businesses operating from different offices, cities or even countries. It is especially necessary if your hierarchy means a senior manager is responsible for teams in more than one location. Enabling face-to-face meetings, a much more effective means of communications, this technology allows greater interaction, input and feelings of belonging.

2. Phone app
Going from an older technology to a new technology, a modern technology that will help to build your business is a phone app, or a alternatively, a phone friendly website. With hundreds of thousands of people — possibly potential customers or clients — accessing the internet on their phone everyday, you don’t want your business out of contention because your website can’t be read.

3. Phone system
Your telephone system can also play a big role in your relationship with clients. With the advent of Skype and VoIP, you now have the opportunity to call a client — and see them at the same time. So take advantage of it! Get yourself a video screen phone and improve your relationships!

4. Tablets
Gone are the days when you need to take a chunky laptop on the train in order to check your emails in the morning, or continue to work in excel or type your business strategy in the afternoon. A range of smaller, lighter and highly dynamic tablets are now available on the market. Giving you a vast array of applications that communicate with your pc software, such as Word, they will not only improve convenience, but also reduce the cost of laptops purchased for travel and after hours work.

5. Social media
Externally, in a digital marketing sense, social media is making a big splash, so why not internally. If you have a big company, it can be hard to create an overarching culture and facilitate people getting to know each other — this can damage morale and also mean you have no clear cut means of capturing innovation and ideas. Social media sites like Yammer are a perfect way to create an internal social network and improve communication!