5 Tips for success using technology in small business

5. Consider alternative products. Just because a product has a glossy advertising campaign doesn't mean it's the best fit for your needs. In fact, keep in mind who's paying for all that advertising.. you are. Small business should always consider the alternatives to big products.

4. Plan for the long term. It's very hard to migrate away from a technology once it is implemented. Making the right choice today will either help or hinder your business for years to come.

3. Don't reinvent the wheel. Over the last 20 years both software and hardware have evolved to fit the needs of business. Don't make the mistake of thinking that your organization is different from every other, and therefore you need everything customized. Following Best Business Practices, and finding systems that assist with that effort, can save headaches and increase flexibility over the long term.

2. Pick your partners. These days you can't swing a cat without hitting some group wanting to push their technology products on you. Make sure the partner you choose is interested in how their solutions will help your business, not theirs. (disclosure: Divine Solutions does not advocate or endorse the swinging of cats)

1. Keep your eye on the prize. Business isn't a race to see who can spend more dollars on tech toys, it's a race to see who can serve customers best. Make sure the technologies you're investing you capital in will net you a REAL return.

Why choosing a technology partner is crucial to success

   It's a scary world out there for business owners. Dealing with inventory, payroll, expenses, and all the daily tasks that go along with the title 'owner' can be daunting enough. But when the pushy saleman comes in boasting about ROI and TCO and lots of other jargon, it's time to raise the red flag. Most small business don't need high priced technology solutions, and the last thing they need to is be oversold on some shiny new toy that comes with lots of promises, but little results. Surviving in today's changing economy requires business owners to invest wisely in tools, not technologies.

   Most technology vendors out there are tied to a few products or solutions that they push in a one-size-fits-all template, and if you ask them about other options, they will usually tell you the same thing... 'that solutions isn't as good as the one we offer'. So how do you know the difference? How do you know that what they are telling you is right for your business. Well, you could spend weeks diving in to the pros and cons, consult many different sources and come to the decision on your own. But is that the best use of your time as the owner? Probably not. Having an established relationship with a technology professional you can trust is akin to having a good mechanic who you know won't take advantage of you. When you find them, stay with them and they will take care of you over the long term.

Put our real world experience to work for you

   Now it's name dropping time. Over the years, Divine Solutions has had the opportunity to work for and with many companies large and small. You may have heard of some of them...

• Mayo Clinic - mobile inventory solutions
• Kohl's Corporation - barcoding applications
• AIG - ecommerce website development
• Concordia University - network management
• Qwest Communications - private branding telecommunications
• Wausau Financial Systems - banking logistics software
• Checkpoint Systems - order management applications
• Lane Bryant/Charming Shoppes - electronic data interchange
• City of Waukesha (Wisconsin) - network management
• Intuit - merchant account integration
• Hitachi Consulting - ERP implementation

   Okay, so we've worked with some big name companies. We aren't bragging, we just want you to know that Divine Solutions has a solid foundation working with companies that rely heavily on their systems for success. But enough about them, we want to talk about you and how we can help you either compete with or become one of those big name companies.