The past ten years have seen technology advance at a phenomenal rate, to the point that it has transformed the way most small businesses operate. Let’s continue our roundup of the most notable technological breakthroughs from the past decade.
Crowdfunding
Sometimes transformation happens as much by the way we use new technologies as by the tech itself. It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since Kickstarter came online, introducing us to the concept of crowdfunding—inviting the public to invest in one’s projects in return for various rewards and kickbacks. At first, Kickstarter was used to help independent creatives fund projects like films, albums and inventions, but with the advent of numerous other crowdfunding platforms, the concept spread to small business startups as well. Today, crowdfunding has completely revolutionized the way many small businesses raise funds for their new ideas by democratizing the idea of venture capital.
Cloud Computing
As the Internet has continued to evolve and grow, more and more companies are discovering the advantages of cloud-based computing, including virtual machines, Software as a Service (Saas), cloud backups and more. With a reduced need for onsite servers and storage space, cloud computing enables smaller businesses to access a wide range of services at a scalable cost, allowing them to operate with the same conveniences as companies many times their size.
Artificial Intelligence
One of the most profound advances of the past decade is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into a growing number of business applications. AI can now help us create content, automate our bookkeeping, streamline customer service and even control the thermostat based on office traffic patterns. We’re just beginning to scratch the surface of what AI can do to streamline our productivity, and this technology in particular is likely to be a key player in shaping our businesses for the next ten years.
Is your IT system currently helping you or holding you back? NetServ can help ensure your company is properly equipped with the best setup to bring you into the next decade. Give us a call today at 1-877-NetServ.