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The fear of having an IT project fail can be a strong deterrent for many, despite the expected business advantages to be gained. 

With the digital transformation well underway, IT projects are what set's many businesses apart of their competitors. Whether it be for internal efficiencies through streamlined business processes, or establishing a desirable point of difference in the customers eye.  

If it's your first time taking on an IT project, or you have been doing this for years, in this article we offer our 4 tried and tested methods for ensuring a successful outcome. 

With the whole world apparently going cloud crazy, you might get the idea that you’re missing out (and the chances are, if your technology systems are long in the tooth, you are). Check out these five signs which show your business is ready to take the leap…and reap the rewards.

Digital adoption for business is often talked about as though it is a simple choice of picking a technology, and implementing it within your business. However, for established organisations, it’s not as easy as a flip of a switch, it requires a deeper business change.

Embarking on a business wide change is not a project most people jump into when everything is running smoothly, but it is required if businesses want to stay ahead. To help you get going, we’ve identified the top three areas you should focus on that have the greatest impact in your business’ ability to adopt technology.

Having to go jump through the hoops as an end user recently has caused us to look around and realise most IT providers aren't doing their part in creating stress-free client experiences.

Does this scenario sound familiar?  You have reached out to your IT provider for IT support and 20 minutes later you are not any closer to your solution than before. You've had to provide all of your personal information, including the name of your cat!?, just to get your ticket logged. Hmmm unproductive... and frustrating.

But, what tops the experience off is the way you feel after – the way you have been treated by the engineer when logging your support request has left you feeling untalented and ignorant.

What happened to the notion of technology empowering you, and your business?

To help you paddle your way out of this less than ideal situation, we have broken down the causes, effects and alternative solutions when you suspect your IT provider is failing you.

On this platform, we speak a lot about facilitating your business growth. From technology to strategies, to productivity hacks to culture – we cover a lot! Today's article is a little different, we want to open the doors to the "backend", and expose our processes, our people, and what we are doing to ensure those who partner with us are getting the best from us.

Being in the business of providing technology solutions to other businesses, we recognise that our clients success is ultimately ours. Our best stories are those told by our customers, not by us. Because of this, we believe that if we double down our focus on helping our clients business’ grow, ultimately, we will grow too.

Curious for a behind the scenes look? Let's get into it!

If you have been following us for a while (or even 5 minutes), you will know getting the upper hand with leverage is our thing. 

We have all heard the well-versed notion, “technology increasing productivity”, however, what most don’t realise is that this is only half the opportunity.

Businesses (and individuals) are increasingly realising the potential technology has to enable creativity.

When you think about it, it makes sense. The accumulation of all the technological advances over the last century has lead us to a place where we have documentation of human knowledge, creations and discoveries just a few mouse clicks away, at any time.  

Distances have been reduced (despite barriers of time and space). Sharing knowledge is easier. Making connections is at the tip of our fingers. All of these factors combined facilitate creativity. 

If you are one of the 37,000 franchise units operating in NZ reading this article, you most likely can relate to the fact that your growth opportunities could be limited by lack of systems for your front-line workers to interact your customers, as well as collaborate and communicate internally.  

Whether your people are behind the counter, onsite, in clinics, or on the phone, they are the first to engage with your customers, the first to represent your brand and the first to see your products and services in action. First line workers are the backbone to some of the world’s largest industries, and that is no different in our country. In New Zealand, recent surveys indicate that more than 124,000 people form part of our franchising industry first line.  

As a franchisor or franchisee, you need technology that enables your business and your people: technology that’s affordable on a small-business budget and doesn’t restrict your future growth.  

Many NZ SME's face the same growth barriers: they have reached a stage where customer demands drive are driving their growth, but don't have the right tools or processes in place to manage this growth, anticipate buying behaviors or build loyalty.

The reality is 1 in 3 New Zealand SME owners wish they knew more about technology, and how it can help drive their businesses forward.

The solution? Start understanding your options by looking at how latest technology can assist your business.

The good news? This post explores a handful of the benefits the right IT can bring to organisations (and provides a path for those wanting to take action now!).

The modern workplace now revolves around collaboration. Our roles are now intertwined with others, so our optimum output requires the inputs and expertise of a team.

Diverse teams spanning different departments, locations and hierarchical positions are now central to a high performing business, pinning collaboration tools as must-haves. We fall back on technology and collaborative platforms to bring our diverse teams together. Facilitating teamwork, whether it be in person on virtually, is now essential. 

However, most teams require multiple platforms to be able to collaborate, which becomes highly annoying... and stressful. And here we introduce the latest productivity tool, made for teams! Think of it as a 'one stop shop' type of platform for all your collaboration needs, for all the teams you are a part of. Exciting right?

You would be right if you thought investing in an app would be a wise decision this year. You can probably name half a dozen apps off the top of your head that have helped to simplify your life, yet you probably have a few tasks in mind of what you wish you had an app for!

The rise of digital transformation has meant that, apps are now a “thing” for businesses too. Companies who realise this opportunity are able to come up with app ideas that help keep them in their consumers’ pockets, streamline business processes, or automate routine processes to save time (and money).

However, coming up with winning business app ideas can be tricky! So, we have compiled a list of six things you should consider before hitting the go button on a new business app: