Small businesses usually have doubts on how tech investment will bring in more results to them. While the idea that it provides solutions like automation and quick monitoring to effectively handle increased workloads, more expansions, and in pursuing new markets, there is definitely more than what meets the eye of such investments.

Technological investments, however, are not created equal. Some of these tech solutions will provide the necessary advantages. For the year 2017, the following tactics can be used to spruce up your tech investments and enjoy more promising results and returns.

From data acquisition, advances in computer technology have shifted to “data-curation.” Data collection will finally become more interactive and intuitive delivering a certain level of a collaborative environment without sacrificing privacy. Web optimization or having a strong online presence will continue to become a major player in small businesses. Project tracking in terms of expenditures, cash flow, transparency, and so on will become more advanced and usually done in real time. Cloud-based solutions will continue to provide more insights but will become largely encrypted leading to more freedom yet more private data communication. With this, small businesses must learn to gain key focus on the business and the right tools to generate more productive results.

Streamlining business cost is one of the most important achievements of outsourcing. Small businesses can put expertise as well as economies of scale to good use without having to create “costly” ancillary departments. By outsourcing specialized services like IT, HR, accounting, and customer support, you spend less time on these matters and put more focus on your core competencies and processes. Aside from convenience and cost saved, outsourcing also allows you to innovate more and find a new niche in the market. Finding a reliable business outsourcing partner, however, must be dealt accordingly to ensure positive results.

Mobile technology is the team to beat in the years to come. It’s no longer just mobile tech but SMART mobile technology. Intuitive and interactive, smart mobile technology will continually impact business communications, sales, logistics, marketing, and other business tactics. Smartphones and tablets, as well as hybrids, will continue to utilize promising mobile technologies. Interfaces will become more simplified. Connections will be faster and more wide-ranging while maintaining more privacy.

Small business will be powered by more sustainable sources like solar, wind, water, or biomass. This will echo the growing needs of the environment due to continuous decline. While global warming is heavily debated, more and more small business will engage in tech-savvy sustainable energy to ensure cultivating a culture of accountability and co-existence.

Innovative technology has a strategic role to play in the rise of small businesses today. These tactics will help deliver them to another level of growth without having to overspend. In the end, technology and other innovations will keep pushing them to become more competitive.