Macro Systems Blog

Some of the topics discussed here may seem to be inaccessible to modern small and medium-sized businesses, bordering on science fiction. For example, consider the topic of artificial intelligence in business.

Do you know how much paper you use each year? Do you know how much paper you have stored in your office? Do you realize that none of that is necessary? Modern digital filing systems as a part of a document management strategy can stop you from wasting your business’ resources on paper, filing, and printing. 

With so much tragedy, confusion, and conflict happening over the past year, businesses of all sizes have turned to technology as a required means of remaining open. As a result, the perspective that many of these organizations have of their IT has changed significantly. Listed below are some of the revelations that businesses have had, and how they’ll impact operations from this point on.

Nothing will irritate tech-savvy people more than listening to someone that essentially doesn't know what they are talking about, but uses technology jargon to seem like they do. It’s confusing for the non-technical too. This annoyance is largely due to the gap between using words and understanding complex and detailed technology processes. So, while there is some respect given to people who work to comprehend the terminology, most of the time, it’s just too much.

The past year have made some organizations look to adjust their operational strategies and look to technology deployments as a way to make these adjustments. However, If the deployments don’t go as planned, it can have a significant effect on business operations.

While a lot of the focus on any organization's use of technology may be on its front-facing solutions, there’s a lot to be said about the technology solutions that power these organizations behind the scenes. Listed below are a few ways that companies are benefiting from automating some of these background processes.

Artificial intelligence can be utilized in numerous ways, but one way you might not have anticipated is as a means of making sure people on the Internet mind their manners. Inappropriate and rude comments are remarkably common online, so it stands to reason that many companies and developers are looking for ways to reduce them. Let’s look at what some have implemented, utilizing artificial intelligence to their advantage.

Alas, we are not yet past concern of COVID-19 and the impact that it has had on business survivability. With “business as usual” requiring a few drastic adjustments to continue, it is imperative that small businesses are able and willing to embrace these changes. Research conducted by Salesforce presented in their fourth Small & Medium Business Trends Report shows that many businesses are seeing the importance of these changes.

Remote work has been imperative to many businesses as they work to sustain themselves throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as businesses have adopted new methods of operation, it has become obvious that remote work is likely to be much more than a survival tactic moving forward. Below is a look to a recent survey to see how remote work is influencing these businesses.

Many businesses have found it very difficult to cope with restrictions levied by lawmakers because of the COVID-19 situation. This pandemic has sent business owners and decision makers searching for solutions to their revenue problems. The most popular solution is to automate some of the work that was usually done by human resources to try and slice some of the demands on their capital. Automation is here to stay in business. 

Businesses are in the process of reopening. While there are going to be growing pains and setbacks, this also provides an opportunity for these businesses to make many adjustments and improvements to their operations. As you resume your operations (or make the preparations to), it will help to do so with the support of modern technology and the processes it enables.

As time marches on and new technology arises, a lot of the processes that organizations rely on become more efficient and stand to deliver greater benefits to the businesses that use them. These benefits are accessible to businesses of all sizes, including small businesses. 

Blockchain is one of the most powerful new technologies, but up until recently, there hasn’t been a lot accomplished in the way of creating viable distributed software titles. In reality, the most practical technology created with blockchain is cryptocurrency. This says quite a bit. Below is a look at blockchain-enhanced software and how it’s only a matter of time until it is a mainstream addition to most businesses.

New technology can be exhilarating, but for any business, it can also be scary. Implementing technology that isn’t completely established is a serious gamble that could have a negative impact. However, sometimes early adoption of emerging technology will give a business just the boost it needs to blow past projections. Below is a look at three emerging technologies that the small to medium-sized business will have to consider in the near future.

People have been talking about the oncoming AR trend for almost a decade now. Google Glass was supposed to dramatically alter technology, but because of security and privacy concerns, it has never come to pass. On the other hand, AR (Augmented Reality) is a growth market and applications for the technology are rapidly increasing. Below is a look at AR and what to expect from the technology in the coming years. 

Whether we like it or not, technology changes quickly. That change is usually beneficial; you can accomplish more, gain more visibility, stretch your resources further, and do things you wouldn’t have thought possible or affordable a few years ago. On the other hand, sometimes technology changes arrive with the frustration of having to learn something new, develop new processes, and deal with a mountain of other annoyances. Listed below are some tips on how to prepare you and your business for the inevitable changes that your IT will be facing over the next few years.

It's easy to see why Blockchain is one of the most popular emerging technologies. While the technology behind blockchain was once viewed as having no feasible application in the workplace, it is now taking a seat front and center as a security instrument for a today's business environment. What’s new in the world of blockchain? We'll take a look below.

Remember computer punch cards? Since computing punch cards became extinct, there has been some version of the keyboard and mouse as we know them today. These interfacing tools have become so entrenched into our minds that it is honestly difficult to imagine a computer without them. But this brings up the question: will there ever be a user interface impressionable enough to replace them?

Technology is taking on a new responsibility for today's business. With more value placed on data, and contemporary innovations offering viable options for business use, technology is now front and center for many companies. Below let's review four of the most emerging technologies and how organizations are beginning to utilize them.

Virtual assistants offer a lot of promise as a productivity tool, so it's not surprising that they would begin to appear in the workplace. Alas, these devices have also gained a reputation as a security risk. Whether or not you’ve considered bringing virtual assistants into your organization, you need to prepare for their presence there.