3 Challenges when implementing new technology, and how to address them

3 Challenges when implementing new technology, and how to address them

Every business, no matter its size or industry, faces constant pressure to innovate to keep up with an increasingly dynamic market. However, implementing new technology is always disruptive, and a lack of strategy can easily result in your business being in a worse situation than when it started. Instead of just thinking about the end result, you need to approach any kind of new technology implementation as an ongoing process in staying at the forefront of innovation.

#1. Aligning people and processes with technology

One of the most common reasons digital transformation initiatives fail is that many see it as a destination rather than a journey. All too often do technology enthusiasts implement the latest technology just because it’s a popular industry trend without giving much thought to the people who are actually using it.

Adopting new technology requires strong leadership skills and the transparency needed to achieve buy-in throughout the organization. No one wants to be forced to learn how to use a new system just because it’s new; what matters most is that your technology aligns with the unique needs of your employees and your customers. If there are no clear end-user benefits, adoption rates will be low, and the first casualties will be morale and productivity.

New technologies should be integrated into existing business processes in a way that keeps disruption to a minimum. Focused implementation tends to be more effective than trying to use one tool to solve every problem for every member of your team. This also reduces the need for additional training. Of course, there will always be some onboarding necessary with any new technology implementation, so be sure to include training costs in your budget.

More importantly, earn the support of your team by getting them excited about the benefits the tech can bring to their workflows.

#2. Overcoming compatibility issues with legacy systems

Few sectors are as hyped up as the world of enterprise technology. The industry has built up an infamous reputation for pushy salespeople who seem to be all about encouraging people to chase after shiny gadgets and do away with every last system they currently have in place.

Rather than trying to overcome compatibility problems with legacy systems, IT leaders are often encouraged to neglect their old processes and infrastructure entirely. But all these new systems will only end up being replaced by something else before long. This fact reinforces the need to view innovation as a journey rather than a destination, in which you continually adapt your environment to the changing needs of your business.

Although most businesses are now moving away from in-house IT in favor of more agile cloud technologies, innovation doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch. Rather, it’s about tapping into external expertise and computing resources to augment your existing IT department and infrastructure. That way, your internal team can focus on more strategic initiatives while a dependable third party takes care of things like migration challenges.

#3. Keeping digital risk to a healthy minimum

Everyone knows that relying on old and unsupported technology is asking for trouble, but it’s important to remember that implementing new technology also brings security risks. A poorly executed technology implementation can easily leave your business open to threats that weren’t even a factor before. For example, implementing a cloud storage service without thinking about critical factors like data encryption and access control is a recipe for disaster. Some businesses also try to cut corners to save time and money, relying on default installations and hasty migrations.

When implementing any new technology, cybersecurity should always be a top priority, rather than something that’s just tacked on at the end. Innovation is all well and good, but you must ensure it’s fully protected with multilayered defenses and is compliant with industry standards.

Valley Techlogic provides the full range of IT services and expertise to businesses in Central California. Call us today to discuss your needs.