SMB IT systems are just as essential as for multinational corporations. It’s almost impossible to do business without IT infrastructure, and even harder to stay competitive. Any new IT system needs time for testing and some investment, but it can save money in the long run. If you haven’t yet taken a step towards a digital overhaul, here are some core functions to consider.

One of the most critical processes for any business is financial management. Many large companies have dedicated accounts departments, and others outsource the task. However, this is often a luxury that many smaller companies can’t afford. But what you can do is install and use reliable accounts or payroll software. These kinds of apps are very powerful these days and can be operated by workers with minimal training, saving time and money in the long run.

Productivity is among the many modern buzzwords of today’s business. Of course, it isn’t really a frivolous saying but rather a meaningful one. Your business must keep productivity high to succeed and compete. So, how can IT help? With apps such as Trello and Asana, your valued workers can stay productive anytime from anywhere. Collaboration tools allow your staff to work on projects together from multiple sites and maximize efficiency through remote work.

Of course, when you use any kind of IT service (hardware or software) connected to the Internet, you become vulnerable to cyber attacks. Cyber attacks form part of any business risk plan and are hard to recover from. In fact, over 700,000 SMBs were attacked in 2020 causing almost $3 billion worth of damage. Simple commercial antimalware packages are very powerful against almost all attacks such as ransomware. But you can outsource to a managed IT service.

Cash-only businesses are dying out, and if all the hints are true, we will be living in a cashless society before the decade is over. So, you need a commercial payment processor to accept digital and card payments. These act like middlemen for payments. When customers pay your business, the transaction goes through a payment processor who takes a fee. Take time to find the right one, as some aren’t reliable, and others will refuse to work with a “risky” venture.

Your outward facing interactions are just as important as internal processes. Customer management is vital and CMS apps like WordPress and Wix can help manage the eCommerce side of your business. Social media platforms like Facebook provide tools for engagement and data collection, which you can use to focus your SEO strategy. SEO serves as a user gateway between web users and your company, through simple tactics such as content keywords.

Accounting and payroll apps are a vital part of the modern SMB IT systems your company needs. Of course, any IT system opens you up to potential cyber attacks so a cybersecurity plan is necessary. You can also boost customer engagement with CMS, social media and SEO.