When it comes to launching a start-up, technology should be high on the priority list of things to understand and consider as it can make a difference in the success of a business. No matter what your line of business is, there are technological foundations that modern start-ups can’t function without. Linaro, the open-source collaborative engineering organization developing software for the Arm® ecosystem, shares ten technology necessities that every start-up needs.
1. Laptops
An essential piece of technology for any start-up, laptops are often required for you and any employees to carry out work. Whilst desktop computers were previously the default choice, laptops are much more practical as they allow you to work remotely or from a fixed office space. High-speed Wi-Fi access on the laptops is also vital so that you and your employees ensure productivity by avoiding slow loading.
2. Cloud Storage
Online data storage, such as Dropbox and Google Drive, allows businesses to save their data and documents cloud-based, which allows employees to easily access information regardless of their location. It’s also much safer for businesses to upload data and documents to the cloud, and it helps start-ups save money, when compared to traditional software.
3. Cybersecurity Software
Whilst larger businesses often have complex data security systems in place, it is important that start-ups have cybersecurity software to protect valuable business and customer data, as small businesses can also fall victim to cyber-attacks. Antivirus software is a great place to start to protect your business against viruses and other malicious attacks. It is also worth considering a business VPN to ensure only authorised users can access your network.
4. Managed IT Services
As few start-ups can afford to bring on board a full time IT administrator, using a managed IT service provider to supervise a variety of day-to-day network requirements is a great way to be prepared to deal with technological disruptions or outages. Managed service providers monitor your network operations remotely to resolve performance problems before your start-ups’ business operations are impacted.
5. Password Tracker
Data security is essential in protecting your start-up. With numerous online accounts needed to run a successful business, a password tracker allows you to store all your important passwords in one secure place, making it difficult for hackers to access your data.
6. Accounting Software
Dealing with your start-up’s accounting can be tricky but luckily there’s software that can do the hard work for you so you can take your start-up to the next level. As well as saving time, accounting software can also help improve accuracy and security, make it easier to track your books and give you a clear understanding of where your business is standing.
7. Project Management Software
Productivity is key to running a successful business and is a vital element in getting your start-up off the ground. Whether you work on your own or have a team in place, project management software allows you to keep track of your business’ projects, as well as make your workflow more organised and efficient.
8. Social Media Management Software
Social media is a great tool that allows you to grow your brand and attract a wider audience to your products or services. Instead of manually posting all your social media posts, there is software that allows you to schedule your social media posts in advance and in bulk, saving you time and effort.
9. Customer Relationship Management Software
A customer relationship management (CRM) software lets you collect, organise and analyse your start-up’s client information. This process allows you to build and maintain relationships with your existing customers, as well as find potential new customers. Cloud-based platforms, such as Salesforce and HubSpot are ideal for managing client relations as your business grows.
10. Google Analytics
The free to use tool, Google Analytics, allows you to review your website’s key stats to determine what is and isn’t working for the business. It also gives you useful information about where visitors are coming from and what pages they visit.
