Three small business tech trends (that aren't AI) you need to know

As we head into the new year and business slowly picks up from its holiday lull, now's a great time to start planning for the year ahead. 

You probably have sales, revenue or growth targets already set. But what about the operational improvements that will help you get there? In today's digital-first world, technology plays a more significant role in business than ever. There isn't a department that tech doesn't touch in some way. And jumping on the latest technology trends will help your business gain and maintain a competitive edge. 

These are the top technology trends relevant to any business in 2024. And no, AI isn't on this list. If you clicked on this article expecting some pointers on implementing AI tools in your business, check out our guide to AI for small businesses. 

But we recommend you read this article first, because these tech trends (while "basic" in comparison) will be more critical to your 2024 bottom line. 

The top 3 business technology trends for 2024 

High-speed broadband 

As we rang in the new year a decade ago, Australia's average internet download speed was just under 6MBps, a tiny fraction of today’s average - around 47Mbps.  

And sure, those speeds were enough to power through GTA V online or stream the first season of Orange is the New Black on Netflix. But a connection that slow would struggle if it had to power today's business-critical applications, like CRM systems and HD videoconferencing. Now, consider the tech your business will depend on in a decade.    

Technology is constantly evolving. And with it, the need for high internet speed is increasing. 

And we've listened, which is why we've reduced the price of our high-speed business nbn® plans (100/40 and above). But that's not all; we've also added a suite of support inclusions, such as proactive fault monitoring and an enhanced Service Level Agreement (eSLA) as standard on those high-speed plans. Now, enjoying the business benefits of high-speed internet has never been more affordable. So, if you want to instantly boost your business's capabilities while getting ahead of emerging tech trends, now's the time to upgrade to high-speed internet. 

Always-on connectivity 

If you depend on the internet to run your business, you'll know downtime comes at a cost. But with the increasing amount of always-on connectivity options available to businesses, there's no excuse for being hamstrung by internet issues in 2024. 

Adding 4G backup and mobile broadband will help solve connectivity issues before they happen, providing a reliable backup internet solution. 

4G backup is an add-on to our business nbn® connections. When using your business nbn® connection with eligible hardware, 4G backup will automatically kick in if your business nbn® connection goes down. It's a convenient solution as it means your devices stay connected - you won't need to connect to another network manually. 

Although, since 4G backup is connected to your nbn® modem, it won't work if your power goes out. That was something Victoria State Emergency Services Nillumbik (VICSES Nillumbik) experienced as they battled the impact of power outages on their emergency response efforts. VICSES Nillumbik relied on the internet for applications crucial to efficient, effective emergency response. But their busiest and most critical times (such as storms) often coincided with power outages. Desperate to maintain internet access, they added mobile broadband to their network. Now, they can confidently carry on their essential work, knowing they'll stay connected when it matters most. Read our VICSES Nillumbik case study to learn more about how mobile broadband is helping them stay effective in a high-pressure work environment. 

But always-on connectivity is more than just having redundancy measures in place. Robust connectivity requires business-grade levels of support. Business-grade support offers businesses a set of guarantees, including An Enhanced Service Level Agreement (eSLA), seven days a week support, fault monitoring, additional support appointment windows, and access to business-dedicated support technicians. 

Business-grade support is now a part of our high-speed business nbn® plans*. To learn more about the features of business-grade nbn® support, check out our guide to business-grade nbn® plans. 

Fully integrated hybrid work 

Since COVID-19 forced many businesses to work remotely, many employees have gotten used to hybrid work models. 

But, as big businesses (particularly those with commercial real estate interests) encourage and even force staff to work in their office, they’ve started a trend that other businesses look set to follow. As such, 2024 will be the year of "Return to Office". And like WFH before it, it's even got its own acronym/buzzword: "RTO". 

A study by Resume Builder found that 90% of companies plan to implement a return-to-office strategy by the end of 2024. But, aside from a (possibly vocal) minority, these strategies won't tell everyone they need to be in the office five days a week. Instead, return-to-office plans must include a hybrid working model. 

You can't tell your employees to come to the office without a realistic view of the office's role from now on. The office of the future will shift to become a space primarily for in-person interaction and collaboration. 

However, collaboration and interaction between office-based and remote staff still has to happen. While we've become accustomed to working individually at home (where many of us feel more productive), the collaboration aspect still needs to be improved. If you've ever joined a meeting remotely, you'll know it takes a little more energy to get to the floor and make your voice heard. You also don't have the same handle on non-verbal language and the "vibe" of the meeting room. 

That's why you must invest in the technology to effectively blur the lines between the in-office and remote working experience. That might mean upgrading your meeting rooms with the latest tech and investing in high-speed internet to power 4K video conferencing. 

Speak to a business tech expert 

Want to boost your business's digital capabilities but don't know where to start? Speak to our 100% Australian-based team of business technology experts. They'll get to know your business and what you hope to achieve this year and beyond. Then, they'll help you implement the tech you need to reach your goals. Give them a call on 1300 480 905. Or, if you prefer, get in contact via our website.