GBHJ GLOBAL: Countdown to 2016: 4 Reasons You Must Update Your Business Software

Series sponsored by Microsoft

Small business owners are always trying to cut costs—and, yes, budgeting is part of being a smart business. But are you being penny-wise and pound-foolish when it comes to your business software?

Sure, you may think you can get by with a five-year-old version of your most important software. But shouldn’t you aspire to more than just getting by? Whether it’s your essential word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation programs; your email application; or industry-specific software such as inventory or point-of-sale systems, relying on outdated software can put your business at risk. Here are four reasons why you should consider updating to the latest software:

1. It enables better collaboration. Working together—even when you’re far apart—is vital for business success today. The latest software takes team collaboration to new levels, whether you’re in the same building or working remotely. For example, Office 2016 let users co-author Word, PowerPoint, and OneNote documents; you can even see other people’s edits in real time. And with Skype in-app integration, you can talk, chat, or IM onscreen right inside your documents.

2. It saves time. In addition to all the productivity you’ll gain with enhanced collaboration, using cloud-based software ensures your team always has the most up-to-date applications available. No more IT time wasted installing patches or updates manually; no more putting company data at risk because some employees’ computers aren’t updated. With the latest cloud-based software, your applications update automatically in the background so you’re always up to date. And as your business needs continue to evolve, your cloud-based software evolves along with you, continually adding new features and new services to help you accomplish even more.

3. It offers greater security. Data security is becoming more complex—and more important—every day. For a small business, reliance on outdated software increases the risk that sensitive information can be leaked or hacked. When you subscribe to the latest cloud-based software, however, you know you’ve got the most current security measures on your side. For example, Office 2016 has built in data-loss prevention across Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook, greatly reducing the chance that any sensitive business or customer data will be leaked.

4. It’s meant to be mobile. You and your team rely on mobile devices to get your work done. Shouldn’t your software be built for mobility? Today’s latest software relies on operating systems, like the new Windows 10, that run across tablets, phones, desktops, and laptops alike. That uniformity means you can seamlessly shift from one device to another and still be able to access the same files, documents, and data, synced so that it’s all current and correct.

The world of work has changed, and your business software needs to keep up—or your business will fall behind.

Be sure to stay tuned for the final article in this special “Countdown to 2016” series: Hot Business Trends for 2016

Read the previous articles in the series:
Turbocharge Your Business Productivity
How Going Mobile Is Crucial to Your Business Success
How Cloud Technology Can Help Your Business Grow

About the Author

Rieva Lesonsky is CEO of GrowBiz Media, a media and custom content company focusing on small business and entrepreneurship. Email Rieva at rieva@smallbizdaily.com, follow her on Google+ and Twitter.com/Rieva, and visit her website, SmallBizDaily.com, to get the scoop on business trends and sign up for Rieva’s free TrendCast reports.