The Right Technology for Financial Success: Unlocking Agility and Insight for SMBs

Technology adoption and platform modernization often become focal points as businesses prepare for growth. For small-to-mid-sized businesses (SMBs), leveraging the right tools can drive not only stronger financial performance but also enhance business agility—a crucial advantage in today’s fast-paced environment. As SMBs face increasing pressure to adapt and operate efficiently, these technology investments become essential. 

Studies show that 79% of SMB leaders believe effective technology solutions contribute to better financial performance, especially in uncertain times. However, the path to maximizing these tools involves aligning technology investments with business goals and ensuring operational readiness for long-term scalability. 

Gaining a Competitive Advantage

Agility has become a non-negotiable asset for businesses aiming to stay competitive. The ability to quickly adapt to market changes and leverage data insights can set SMBs apart from larger, less adaptable competitors, resulting in benefits like accelerated revenue growth and significant cost savings. Achieving these benefits requires a platform that unifies all business areas, such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Integrating financial, operational, and customer-facing systems provides SMBs with a comprehensive view of operations, creating an adaptable framework for growth.

Technology Alone Isn’t Enough: The Competency Gap

While technology is a critical factor in digital transformation, it is only part of the equation. Many businesses put all their efforts into bringing new tools online but overlook the importance of training their teams to use them effectively. In fact, 66% of finance leaders say there’s a growing gap between technology and the skills to use it.

Ensuring team readiness—through training and reskilling—is crucial to making technology investments work for the business. Comprehensive training programs should accompany new technology, preparing employees to maximize its potential and contribute to company success. 

Creating Agile Small Businesses with Microsoft Dynamics 365

BDO Digital has identified Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central as an effective platform for SMBs aiming to streamline operations. Adopting this platform typically delivers benefits including: 

• Improved Business Insights and Smarter Decisions: By unifying financial, operational, and customer data, businesses gain a holistic view of operations and can use embedded analytics and real-time reporting to make decisions.
• Increased Ability to Adapt and Grow: Market dynamics can shift quickly, but Dynamics 365 helps SMBs stay agile, including scaling to meet new demands, adopting hybrid work models, and leveraging emerging technologies like AI.
• Stronger Sales & Customer Service: Seamless integration with Microsoft Outlook means your team can manage the entire customer journey from a single platform, streamlining your customer experience and leading to better service and stronger sales.
• Greater Project Success Metrics: For businesses managing complex projects, Dynamics 365 helps with planning, resourcing, costing, and real-time tracking, ensuring projects stay on track and within budget.
• Effective Inventory & Supply Chain Management: SMBs in manufacturing or distribution benefit from real-time visibility across their entire supply chain, helping to ensure the ability to meet customer demand while keeping costs under control.

6 Key Considerations for SMBs Considering New Technology

Adopting a new platform involves changes across multiple areas. SMB leaders should assess the following considerations: 

Security

Data security is essential to safeguard your company and sensitive information from ever-evolving threats, especially during cloud migration. Prioritizing strong security measures helps ensure robust protection against today’s cyber risks.  

Compliance

Industry-specific regulations require companies to meet various standards, making it crucial for your technology to support and maintain compliance. Select technology solutions that align with your regulatory obligations to help ensure seamless adherence to industry requirements. 

Scalability

The platform should adapt as your business grows. Solutions like Microsoft Dynamics 365 are built with scalability in mind, making it easy to add features and capabilities over time to support evolving needs.

AI and Automation

AI and automation are becoming essential for boosting business performance. Seek solutions that integrate these tools to increase productivity, gain valuable insights, and stay competitive. Opt for platforms with built-in AI features to support efficient operations.

Work Location

In today’s remote and hybrid environments, it’s essential to choose a platform that supports your team’s flexibility. Ensure your tech solution enables employees to work effectively from any location while promoting seamless collaboration and maintaining strong security. Look for platforms designed to support flexible work without compromising security or teamwork.

Team Readiness

The effectiveness of technology depends on how well it’s used. Before investing in new tools, ensure your team is prepared to adopt and make the most of them. Successful implementation often requires thorough training, change management, and ongoing support to maximize the technology’s value.

The Role of Partnerships in Cloud Migration

Adopting new technology is often most successful with the solution provider. While internal teams can manage platform transitions, migrating to the cloud is often far more complex than it appears—especially when your team is already deeply engaged in day-to-day business operations.

Choosing BDO as your solution provider means leveraging our experience in change management and process development for a seamless migration. Beyond technology, success depends on how well it’s implemented and embraced. Ensuring your team is ready to adopt new tools, with a focus on training, change management, and ongoing support, is crucial to maximize the technology’s value.

Adapt Faster, Work Smarter, Perform Better

For technology decision-makers, the journey to improved agility and operational excellence is grounded in selecting the right platform and ensuring thorough implementation. By approaching technology strategically, SMBs can adapt quickly, make smarter decisions, and unlock greater performance.