ICT in business: What technology does your business need?

Running a successful business requires hard work, consistency, patience and development. It necessitates constant growth, both in terms of personal development and technological advancements. Business leaders need to make use of information and communications technology in order to keep their companies at the forefront of their industries.

Without integrated communications, a business cannot remain competitive in this modern age. Technologies can solve a lot of problems and make a company more agile, streamlined and profitable. There are several business technologies that you can use to make your company run smoother. The infrastructure and components will improve marketing, payroll, customer relations, management and data storage, to name a few.

SEACOM Business offers various ICT solutions and services to both large organisations and small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These solutions fall into three basic categories; connectivity, cloud and security. The software and cloud-based services provided will give your business the technological boost that it needs.

1) Modern for business email

When starting a business, one of the first things that founders do is create a business email. This is still the most used method of communication, both internally and externally, for any company. ICT can be used to set up, manage and run these emails, as well as store the data and information that is sent and received.

SEACOM Business offers enhanced email services that deliver advanced threat detection, data leak prevention, archiving, continuity and more. This guarantees the security of your communications and allows for full backup and recovery of data in the event of a disaster.

2) Customer relationship management (CRM) software

The customer journey and experience are two of the most important aspects of a business. If they don’t like their interaction with your company, then they won’t buy anything or return at a later stage. Customers are a business; the more customers you have, the more money you can make. But how do large enterprises manage thousands of customers and maintain good relationships with them?

The answer is a CRM system, to be precise. A cloud-based CRM software can hold many advantages for an organisation. This includes customer retention and growth, lead conversions, project management, an increase in revenue and a decrease in costs. A good CRM system will seamlessly integrate with other programmes, such as Microsoft 365, Google apps and the business email.

You can choose to utilise an off-the-shelf CRM system, such as Salesforce, Insightly or Zoho - or you can opt for a fully customised system that is built for your specific needs. This second route will be more expensive and time-consuming, but it can also hold key advantages over generic systems. A CRM platform will form the basis of your customer relations.

3) Cloud storage

The next technology needed for business growth is cloud storage. Many large enterprises have already migrated to the cloud, which proves its value for growth and efficiency. Cloud storage is simply a virtual storage system for business information, files and data. It removes the risks involved with on-site storage - whether in physical form or in on-premise servers.

SEACOM Business offers secure cloud storage and infrastructure that provides a safe hub for customers to store, access and retrieve their data at any time and from anywhere. This technology helps to improve efficiency and productivity as it enables employees to collaborate on projects and share information instantly from any location.

Cloud storage systems are highly secure, so the threat of data leaks and hacks can be minimised. This enterprise business tool is vital for businesses that need to store large volumes of customer information and company data in a single space. In addition, cloud storage can be scaled in line with the company’s growth, so you always have enough storage space.

4) Reliable business internet

Dependable and fast internet is an absolute necessity for companies nowadays. A slow and unreliable connection not only ruins the customer experience but can also delay internal communications and harm employee morale. Integrated communications technology should be a key area of focus for companies that want to improve sales and streamline the customer journey.

SEACOM Business offers several business internet options, including corporate fibre internet access, wireless internet access, direct internet access and pre-fibred buildings. We own an expansive network of fibre infrastructure that stretches across South Africa and links the continent to international cables and networks.

5) Location-based tools

SEACOM ICT tools allow your company to stand out for local customers. People are always looking for convenience, so by utilising location-based tools, you can attract more local customers. There are many of these services that you can use, including social media, review platforms, online listing directories and maps.

These five tools can be used by enterprises to improve their processes, presence and performance. There are thousands of apps, programmes and digital tools available, but these five will form the core of a successful enterprise connectivity strategy. For more information or to get a quote for our enterprise-grade ICT services, email us at marketing@seacom.com or leave us a message.

SEACOM owns Africa’s most extensive network of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, including subsea cables and secure internet connections. We offer a diverse range of flexible, scalable and high-quality solutions for businesses that meet world-class standards for connectivity.

SEACOM is privately owned and operated, making it agile and adaptable to the needs of the customer. This makes us the preferred ICT and internet connectivity partner for African businesses and peripheral service providers. We can guarantee high-speed, low-latency and secure internet connections to corporates and small enterprises.

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