These days, businesses are more connected than ever with technology to help improve communications and maximize efficiency in the workplace. The increased use of the Internet, email, and mobile technology has revolutionized the way businesses operate and made IT critical to building and maintaining a successful business. Yet still today, far too many companies think of technology as a necessary evil instead of really taking advantage of all the opportunities it can provide to make organizations more efficient.

In the past, companies may have been able to get away with talking about IT, but in today’s rapidly changing world, this will no longer be possible. Now, with the convergence of voice and data and much greater reliance on mobile communications, it is critical that all businesses urgently develop a coordinated IT strategy.

Of course, historically, businesses have tended to consider telecommunications and data networks as part of separate budgets, but due to converged networks and the opportunities that Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) can offer, it is no longer possible to consider them separately. isolated. In fact, given the growing importance of remote work and the need to make sure all staff are working as effectively as possible, companies really don’t have a choice these days. The simple truth is that if you don’t embrace change now, your competitors will.

The changes in business operation that we have seen in the last 10 years are very much just the beginning of what will happen over the next decade. At all levels, faster and more accessible communication will be key. It is anticipated that in a few years approximately 75% of all telephone calls will be made over an IP network. The converged network is here to stay and the only real choice is not if, but when you will adopt it. With globalization, the increased use of home workers and the more flexible work environment; access to information must be fluid and instantaneous.

While the notion of the “paperless” office may not be a reality in the true sense, the need for electronic document systems (EDMs) that allow staff to access a wide range of documents wherever they are in the world only will increase in the future. In an increasingly competitive world, customers will be drawn to companies that make communicating with them (including buying and selling) as easy as possible. Good technology used correctly will reflect well on your business and can help motivate your staff by taking some of the monotony out of their daily tasks.

Increasingly, websites that used to be used simply as a “storefront” will now be more integrated with other back office systems. In the airline industry, you not only book your flight online, but you also choose your seat, order your food, and even “check-in.” In less than 5 years, airline tickets have become redundant and administrative processes have been radically simplified to maximize efficiency.

This integration of the Internet with other business processes will only become much more important as web usage increases. Customers will want full visibility into every part of their interaction with your business. Once again, the key will be easy access to information and knowledge sharing.

Of course, with increased compliance legislation and the need for Business Continuity Planning, technology can also provide crucial backup in the event of an unforeseen disaster. With proper electronic data storage and routing of voice and data over the Internet, many businesses can move from one location to another with minimal disruption. In the recent flood of 2007, disaster recovery became not just an intellectual exercise, but an unfortunate reality for hundreds of local businesses.

Therefore, technology must be embraced by all decision makers in a company and their views must be properly coordinated to enjoy all the benefits it can offer. Don’t think of IT simply as a cost, but rather as a real opportunity to drive efficiency in your business. Today, many organizations remain too reactive and fail to think strategically about how the world is changing and how their business is changing with it. We are ten years into the 21st century and the exchange rate is only going to increase, not decrease.

Perhaps you can now see why getting an IT strategic roadmap for your business isn’t a “nice to have,” but in the modern age it’s simply a necessity. I suggest you review your company’s existing IT support and perhaps consider outsourcing your IT as a cost saving exercise. There are many companies that offer a full range of managed services that could greatly improve the efficiency of your business. These days, your systems can be monitored 24/7/365 with a much more proactive approach to IT management.

As a last example, think about the mobile phone you have today and compare it to the one you had 5 years ago. The functionality of that device will have changed tremendously and emphasizes again how fast technology moves. And by the way, if your current “phone” still does not allow you to access the Internet and cannot send you your emails automatically, you are already several years behind the game!