Enterprise IT and its impact on SMBs

Enterprise IT refers to the various types of software and hardware that are typically used by larger businesses and corporations.

Large enterprises constitute a very small fraction of global businesses, by number. But they are among the largest and most lucrative businesses in the world.   For example, both in the US, and globally, more than 80% of businesses have fewer than 20 employees.  Whereas enterprises constitute less than 1% of global business by number, they usually have between 100 and greater than 1000 employees, giving enterprises oversized economic, political, and technological impact.

Traditionally, enterprises  have multiple physical locations.  Post-Covid, in the work-from-home era, this definition is not as accurate any more.  But having multiple teams of people in multiple locations determines many Enterprise IT management challenges and technology solutions.  These technologies let multiple, far-flung teams collaborate, track products and services and share information resources globally.  Enterprise IT technologies are vital for standardizing products, services, and internal processes like messaging, management and HR.

Small Business Impact:

It is important for small business owners and managers to keep abreast of developments in the Enterprise IT market. The reason is that many of the technologies that enterprises use today will be adapted to- and adopted by- small businesses in the future.  This is an example of technologies going “downmarket”.  Often by the time they reach the medium to small sized businesses, they have been fully tested, easier to use, and much more affordable than they were (priced) for enterprises.

A good example of this is the firewall, or the keystone of a businesses’ perimeter security.  In the late 1980’s and 1990’s, firewalls were adopted as standard equipment by all enterprises.  There were just two vendors, Cisco and Digital Equipment. Twenty years later firewalls were standard equipment for virtually all businesses, with dozens of manufacturers and models, at a fraction of enterprise prices.  .

In this blog post, we will take a look at 10 of the most common types of enterprise technology that you will find in most Fortune 500 companies. We’ll explain what each one does and why it’s so important for businesses of that size.

What Is Enterprise Technology, and Why Do Big Businesses Rely on it so Much?

Before we dive into the 10 types of IT for enterprises, let’s take a moment to define exactly what it is and why businesses rely on it so heavily.

Simply put, enterprise technology refers to any type of software, hardware or system used by large organizations with more than 100 employees. This could include anything from customer relationship management (CRM) software to big-data applications.

These software and enterprise applications are essential for larger companies as they allow them to manage their data, operations and business processes more efficiently. Enterprise technology helps them gain insights about their customers, maintain tight control over key areas of their internal processes and deliver a better product or service to their clients.

The 10 Main Types of Enterprise Technology in Use Today

Now, let’s dive into the myriad big business applications and management systems that comprise the current state of enterprise systems for IT that are most in use today by businesses all over the globe.

1. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software: ERP software is designed to help large companies manage complex processes such as payroll, inventory management, accounting and customer service in one unified system.
2. Big Data Applications: Big data applications allow businesses to gain insights about their customers by collecting and analyzing large amounts of data from multiple sources.
3. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software: This type of software helps big companies organize customer information in one centralized database, providing a bird’s-eye view of customer relations at any given time.
4. Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: BI tools provide businesses with real-time analytics regarding their operations, allowing them to make better decisions on how to improve their products and services.
5. Network Security Solutions: Big businesses need robust security solutions in order to protect their sensitive data from malicious cyber attacks, viruses, and other online threats.
6. Collaboration Software: This type of software is essential for large companies as it allows teams to communicate and collaborate with each other from different locations.

7. Cloud Computing Platforms: Cloud-based platforms allow large organizations to store and access information quickly and securely without having to invest in expensive hardware or software licenses. This can include cloud apps, data storage and even content management and generation platforms.
8. Supply Chain Management (SCM) Systems: SCM systems are used by big business to track the movement of goods through their supply chain networks in real-time, ensuring that deliveries are made on time and under budget.
9. Enterprise Mobility Solutions: These solutions allow large businesses to give their employees access to company data and applications from anywhere, at any time.
10. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technologies: AI technology is used by big companies to automate mundane tasks such as customer service or data entry, freeing up resources for more important operations.

Overall, enterprise technology is an essential part of how big businesses operate today. With the right tools in place, these organizations can stay competitive and maximize efficiency in a rapidly changing market. In short, enterprise technology is one of the most important investments that any big business can make.

Making Smart Use of Enterprise IT With Power Consulting

At Power Consulting, we understand the importance of IT for enterprises in today’s business environment. Our team of experienced IT professionals can provide your company with customized managed services that fit your unique needs and budget.

 
We specialize in:

• IT management for enterprises
• ERP Software installation, configuration and integration services
• Cloud computing solutions for businesses of all sizes
• Network security solutions to protect sensitive data from threats
• Business intelligence tools to track KPIs and improve decision-making
• AI Technologies for automating mundane tasks
• And more

Contact us today to learn more about how our IT consulting services can help you make smarter use of enterprise technology in your organization.