Tangled in technology? How to remove growth blockers.

In the last decade, we’ve seen the rise of cloud computing, the advent of generative AI and the increasing importance of data analytics. Technology is constantly evolving and organizations that fail to keep up will be left behind.

Technology has the power and potential to revolutionize businesses, but only if it is used effectively.

This is where technology optimization can empower you, your leadership team and your operations. By optimizing your technology, you can gain a competitive advantage, improve efficiency and boost innovation.

Strategy drives tech optimization

Technology optimization is the process of aligning an organization’s people, processes and technology to achieve its goals. It involves identifying gaps in your digital roadmap, cybersecurity essentials and business intelligence and data analytics usage.

When every part of your organization is in sync, it operates in a state of prime. And when it comes to technology, organizations in prime are those that have optimized their technology by untangling legacy systems, building strategy first and buying technology second, and using technology to be more responsive to customers.

Optimized technology will:

• Improve efficiency: Automate tasks, streamline processes and improve communication, freeing up employees to focus on more strategic and value-added work.
• Increase productivity: Get more done in less time, leading to improved profitability and bottom-line results.
• Enhance customer service: Provide better customer service by producing real-time information, tracking customer interactions and resolving issues more quickly.
• Improve decision-making: Make better decisions by providing access to data and analytics, identifying trends, spotting opportunities and avoiding risks.
• Increase innovation: Innovate using new tools and resources by developing new products, services and business models.

But how can you practically achieve these benefits?

Untangling legacy systems

Legacy systems can be a bottleneck for your organization. They are often patched together over the years and can become inefficient and cumbersome. Start by conducting an audit of your existing platforms to evaluate their effectiveness. Ask questions like:

• What were the applications designed to do, and how are they currently being used?
• Are there workarounds that employees have created to fill gaps?
• Do you have outdated or unsupported software?

Once you’ve assessed your legacy systems, you can start planning to modernize or replace them.

Finding a platform that fits strategy

Identify the specific requirements for your business processes, workflows and data elements. This will help you find a platform that aligns with your organizational strategy. Look for a unified data platform that can offer transparency across various departments, making management and client interactions more efficient.

Enhancing responsiveness to customers

Customer relationship management (CRM) systems can be a game-changer in how you interact with your clients. A good CRM system captures important elements from client interactions and ties them to their account, making it easier to provide personalized service. Make sure your CRM is flexible enough to integrate with other applications like marketing analytics software for a more cohesive tech stack.

Prioritizing cybersecurity measures

In an age where data breaches and cyber threats are increasingly common, cybersecurity can’t be an afterthought in your technology optimization strategy. Assess the security protocols of your existing systems plus any new platforms you plan to integrate. Key considerations include security audits, compliance standards, employee training, multi-factor authentication and regular updates.

A cohesive tech stack for better insight

A cohesive tech stack provides leadership with better insight into its organization’s operations. This enables more informed decision-making and helps identify areas for further optimization.

By taking these steps, you can move closer to achieving an optimized technology environment that not only meets your organization’s goals but exceeds them.

How Wipfli can help

Wipfli’s Prime Growth System helps companies reach and maintain Prime. We know optimizing your technology can feel daunting and cumbersome. With our prime rapid assessment, we can assess your technology, and six other key performance areas, and provide solutions on your path to prime. Sign up for a rapid assessment today or learn more.