ICT in business is everywhere. This is demonstrated by computers, laptops and tablets, fixed and mobile phone systems, communication networks and software, and IoT devices. Organisations have long since opened the door to constant progress, even before they realised that what they were doing was starting a digital transformation.
Today, with varying degrees of maturity, businesses are taking advantage of ICTs. For companies, having their support means benefiting from improvements such as the cost reduction, The aim is to increase efficiency, improve decision-making and boost competitiveness in the marketplace.
What are the main benefits of ICTs in business?
The advantages of ICTs in companies are evident and can be seen in areas as diverse as accounting or strategy, sales or production processes.. The main strengths of opening up to technology include the following:
- Better decision making. ICT systems enable the enterprise to store, process, analyse and share large amounts of data. The information available from corporate data makes it easier to make decisions quickly and accurately and this, in turn, makes it possible to manage operations effectively and respond quickly to opportunities or threats in the environment. Communication networks also allow decision-makers in different locations to work together easily when they need to make decisions together.
- Increased manufacturing productivity. By automating business processes and providing employees with ICT tools, companies improve individual and overall productivity. On the production line, for example, solutions such as computer-aided design can help reduce set-up times and improve manufacturing accuracy. Employees spend less time on rework. Access to manufacturing data allows managers to plan production more effectively, making better use of resources and reducing lead times.
- Improved customer service. The quality of customer service is an important differentiator for companies. ICTs in business enable faster response and higher service standards to customers. In a customer service or after-sales service centre, for example, agents can access databases that provide complete information on each customer, thus easily and quickly accessing their purchase history and product preferences. The information helps them to respond quickly and efficiently to queries, which increases customer satisfaction.
- More effective and virtual collaboration. Communication networks enable project teams to collaborate effectively. Using videoconferencing or web conferencing over the Internet, teams can hold virtual meetings that bring together people from different locations or different organisations, such as suppliers or partners. This helps build stronger project teams and allows progress on important initiatives to be maintained, rather than waiting for members to meet in one location. In a product development programme, for example, teams can reduce overall project time and bring new products to market faster, giving the company a strong competitive advantage.
- Improved financial performance. ICT solutions in enterprises can help reduce costs, increase revenues and improve profitability. Using video conferencing to arrange meetings between members in different locations, for example, reduces travel costs. Production data can help staff identify quality problems, reducing waste and rework costs. Call centre agents can use the information available in their customer databases to increase revenue by identifying opportunities to sell additional products or services. Comprehensive expense management solutions simplify and streamline accounting, while facilitating the recovery of VAT on transactions. Cost reductions and increased revenue make a significant contribution to overall profitability.
Incorporating ICTs in companies is simple, sometimes it is not even necessary to implement software, it is enough to download an app.. Ready to enjoy all the benefits of technology?
