A business that wishes to participate in a competitive global economy needs to be capable of adapting to an ever-changing system so that they can cater to their customers’ needs. For a business to remain competitive, it needs to evolve as an institution through changes made not only to processes but to the technology used as well. Changes that are technological in nature can provide significant benefits to the business.
Aside from machines that ease working pains, technology has also introduced numerous software types that improve the experience of managing a business. One example is the enterprise software that provides business tools that function to digitize workflows and increase productivity, resulting in things such as the easier implementation of ServiceNow project plans and automated billing systems. Advancements such as the ones previously mentioned exist to make tasks easier for workers. However, not all organizations are keen on implementing them, and would rather continue working with what they currently have.
One great example would be smaller businesses. Compared to expansive and well-established organizations, those in the smaller scale may find it difficult to cope with the rapid rate at which technology develops and adapts, leaving them settling with older versions when their company can strongly benefit and grow with the use of newer ones.
For more insight on why companies fail to use new technology, listed below are some of the reasons new technology may hinder businesses instead of helping them:
1. Cost
Perhaps the incredibly daunting aspect of implementing improved tech in the workplace is the initial and succeeding costs that accompany it. With new and improved components and functionality, it is only natural for upgraded technology to be more expensive than their predecessors. Consequently, care and maintenance get heavier on the budget as well due to the ever-growing threats of hacking, phishing, and other security breaches. This can entail having to hire more employees that are capable of handling the technology with expert hands rather than training old employees.
2. A shift in Workplace Dynamics
Like any other changes that are introduced in the workplace, new technology will take some time to get accustomed to, and may even be met with plenty of resistance from members of the organization. Old personnel that were content in performing tasks as they have always done may find change intimidating. This may, in turn, cause a bit of disruption in patterns, as adopting newer versions entail additional training as new manuals and multitudes of information need to be learned to correctly operate the tech. This may also mean revised job responsibilities for everyone involved. This results in loss of continuity and productivity, and consequently, added workload and employee fatigue.
3. Data and Progress Monitoring
The implementation of new technology means taking out the previous one. As a result, a few decisions need to be made regarding which company data is going to be relevant in the new system and which is not. Furthermore, regular monitoring is only one of the biggest keys to success. Are the employees delivering a better productivity rate with the use of the new tech? Is the usage of the technology expected? Essentially, monitoring the entire organization routinely is important to ensure a successful implementation. The process doesn’t just end with the installation.
Technological advancements are seen to improve workplace productivity and aid in building customer relations by providing patrons with what they want and need. But implementing new technology still requires time, money, and dedication, and not all businesses will be willing to commit to it and sacrifice what already works for them.
