How SMBs are meeting uncertainty with agility

What will the future of work look like? Despite the volumes of thought leadership published on the subject, the truth is that we just don’t know. Once we have a vaccine for COVID-19, will we return to our offices in great numbers? Will we become entirely remote? Or will we embrace a mixture of the two, and create a new world of hybrid work?

 Until they can answer these questions, many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are understandably reluctant to make any major investments in offices and other infrastructure costs. In my discussions with business leaders, I’m also seeing more and more SMBs turn to service solutions to help them navigate the seismic changes we’re seeing in the world of work.

 Everything’s a service now

Prior to COVID-19, many SMBs had already transitioned from on-premises software to Software as a Service (SaaS). In general terms, the ‘as a service’ model swaps on-premises products for subscription-based cloud offerings that are flexible, cost-efficient, and accessible anywhere.

 Having essentially stored their office in the cloud, these businesses using SaaS were quickly able to transition to remote work and continue to operate in unprecedented times. In fact, over the past six months, SaaS has emerged as a a model that enables many organizations to survive in what has turned out to be an era of “remote everything.”

Easy payment and flexible payment solutions for devices take this model and apply it to hardware. A device leasing provider will source, monitor, and manage your hardware on your behalf, so you can give your employees the devices they need, when they need them – with limited capital expenditure.

That’s particularly important right now, with new research from HP showing that nearly one in three SMBs are citing cash flow worries as a barrier to growth. A similar number say they see innovation in how they work as the key to growth. So while SMBs understand the need to upgrade technology, they’re wondering if they can afford to do it. Taking the ‘as a service’ model and applying it to their hardware and devices seems to neatly bridge this contradiction.

 Pre-pandemic tech in a post-pandemic world

Our research also shows that just 51 percent of remote workers feel adequately set up in their home offices. The risk to productivity from old, slow-running laptops, desktops, and mobiles is serious enough, but outdated devices can also cause poor audio and video quality in calls and meetings. This doesn’t just compromise the quality of internal collaboration – it also risks making a bad impression on clients.

 Even worse, the devices employees use at home often lack corporate-level, up‑to‑date security. This year, we’ve seen a 330 percent increase in cybercrime across Asia Pacific, compared to the same period last year. As malicious actors look to take advantage of home office set-ups and insecure employee devices, remote work is creating a security risk that no business can afford to take.

 At face value, these seem like simple problems to fix. Simply invest in new devices that will enable employees to remain productive wherever they are, impress clients with a slick meeting experience, and secure your organization against threat. But for SMBs, the reality isn’t so simple.

 All the benefits, none of the outlay

With two-thirds of Asia Pacific’s business decision-makers trying to cut costs and just over half expecting their technology budgets to contract, how can struggling SMBs justify the capital outlay necessary for new devices? The answer lies in thinking about technology less as upfront capital expenditure and more as operating expenditure, where depreciation can be resolved as a business issue.

 Enterprises – especially those in the technology sector – need to shift their model. Many already have, embracing monthly payment schemes for devices over a set period as well as ongoing leasing arrangements that come bundled with complete work-from-home suites, technology upgrades and seamless security. It’s a smarter approach that allows SMBs to think about managing costs while remaining at the top of the technology game.

 A smarter decision for today and tomorrow

To help companies achieve just that, we’re releasing a new offering called Business Boost. By supplying desktop, laptop, monitor, print and other accessories, underpinned with strong security, Business Boost works as a one-stop shop for the new hybrid means of working.

 As well as saving SMBs money in the short term, easy payment programs like Business Boost can eliminate the risk of costly repairs in the event of future hardware breakdowns. With services that enable technicians to proactively monitor the health of all devices, problems can be solved before they arise. This not only mitigates repair costs, it also minimises business disruption.

 Business Boost also enforces state-of-the-art security across our customers’ networks and provides the tools for proactively mitigating risks. With this solution, you don’t have to worry about obsolescence or disposal. Our technicians will handle the device’s lifecycle for you and ensure your hardware is always up to date so it’s part of the service for those SMBs who do not have a dedicated IT team, or at least a limited IT team.

 At the same time, SMBs that invest in Business Boost can improve their chances of retaining their most creative, digitally-savvy employees. Ask any millennial or Generation Zedder who’s had to perform with outdated, improperly secured devices and you may hear something less than flattering said about their firm. Deploying up to date, flexible technology solutions, by contrast, is an excellent way to attract the brightest young talent – something that will become increasingly important as these generations become a larger portion of the workforce and transition into leadership roles themselves. In fact as these generations enter the workforce they’re more often choosing to establish their own business, for which Business Boost serves as a convenient one-stop shop in setting up your office.

 An office fit for the future

Business Boost offers more than just hardware. It’s a curated blend of powerful technology, security and support services that businesses can draw on to help ensure their remote workers stay productive. It also gives SMBs a means of investing wisely and affordably as they continue their transition to the digital economy.

While the quest for short-term savings is driving many SMBs to consider everything as a service, I’m convinced the solution’s longer‑term financial benefits will see it become a central part of our new normal.