Marcus Richards
Starting a new business brings with it a whole host of challenges – from purchasing new equipment and software to hiring the right people to help drive your dreams. Of course, the additional challenge with small startups or solo entrepreneurs is that you may not have the resources or staffing available to carry out all the tasks required, even with the option of outsourcing. So, with this in mind, here are some essential technologies that can help to bridge this gap.
Optical Character Recognition
Optical character recognition (OCR) is a system that is able to take an image of a live scenario or document and convert it into data that is able to be read and interpreted by a computer system. This software has long since been utilised in applications such as online casinos to promote fair play. For example, when playing blackjack online at Paddy Power Games, OCR technology is used to record the cards that are drawn by the live dealer, which can then be displayed on the screen for the players to see. The results are then recorded so that the players and dealers alike can better keep track of the game.
In businesses, OCR has promising results in financial and HR applications. In both HR and financial sectors, OCR can be used to read documents needed for compliance and onboarding of both clients and employees, automating right-to-work, ID, and signature checks. OCR can also be used in conjunction with more comprehensive financial automation software, extracting data from receipts, invoices, and ingoing and outgoing payments to ensure that they all match up. Further to this, OCR can read applications, bids, or contracts from aspiring employees or suppliers, which can then be sorted based on certain criteria to slim down the number that needs to be manually reviewed and processed.
Voice over Internet Protocol
Despite most things being online nowadays, data from Statista shows that 39% of worldwide consumers still interact with companies using offline channels, such as via phone. Though it is admittedly not as high as the 61% of interactions that took place online, this is still a large chunk of consumer-company interactions that need to be considered. With this in mind, it is still necessary to ensure that your startup has a suitable telephony solution. Now, just because these are known as ‘offline’ channels, this doesn’t mean they can’t be digital – and this is where Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) comes in.
VoIP is a way of making and receiving phone calls through a cloud-hosted platform. This means that calls can be handled on any device that has internet connectivity – be it a PC, laptop, tablet, smartphone or handset with internet access. A VoIP platform can also mask the location of where call centre agents take the call, making it easier to outsource customer services where necessary. As there is no need for physical hardware installation, it is also scaleable for when your startup begins to take off, and, as BT Openreach plans to switch off physical phone lines in 2025, VoIP is more future-proof, too.
VoIP can also be available as part of a comprehensive Unified Communications (UC) platform. These platforms combine voice calls, instant messaging, emails, video calling, live chat, and more into one platform, making it easier to keep track of customer interaction, and eliminating the need to purchase several different communications platforms.
