To buy or not to buy

used with permission by HP Technology at Work

With new technology being released on what seems like a daily basis, it’s understandable that businesses have a hard time keeping up. The next new this and the next new that might seem like a great addition to your business, but how do you know when to immediately embrace new technology or when to wait for the next release?

Often there’s no clear-cut answer. For consumers, adopting a new technology is usually a low-risk behavior. If they buy something they don’t like, they’ll simply replace it with something different during their next purchase. It’s a lot trickier for businesses, though. Rarely do they buy just one product at a time, so their purchases need to benefit the employees and the company as a whole.

Does it make sense to be an early adopter? Here are five questions to ask:

1. Does the technology provider have a good reputation?
2. Will you be guaranteed reliable product support?
3. Will the industry view your business in a favorable light (example, more cutting-edge) if you implement the technology sooner rather than later?
4. Is this a good time for change?
5. Will it be easy to use or will you need extensive training?

In some cases, like with software, it’s sometimes a good idea to wait before diving in headfirst. New releases mean new bugs to iron out, so waiting for the next update or patch can benefit you in the long run. But when it comes to technology like notebooks and tablets, there are often benefits to being an early adopter.

Just what the doctor ordered

One industry that’s typically the first in line for new technology is healthcare. As computing devices get smaller, more powerful and more dynamic, workers in the healthcare industry are quick to implement them into their daily routine. The HP ElitePad is one such device. Using tablets means that healthcare professionals are no longer tied to their desktops or notebooks, which can be difficult to carry around from room to room.

The HP ElitePad is light enough and secure enough to give users the ability to keep up with demands while on rounds or in the office. This newfound freedom has opened the doors to improved patient care, as doctors and nurses are able to pull up files and find answers to problems faster than ever before.

Closing the deal

Real estate is another industry that’s always on the lookout for new ways to increase efficiency. Since Realtors® are often out looking at properties and not in their offices, they need a way to stay connected at all times to give their customers the most up-to-date information.

Products like the HP Revolve offer up the benefits of a notebook, with the flexibility and convenience of a tablet. Tasks that once required a trip back to the office to complete can now be taken care of on-site. The unique tablet functionality of the HP Revolve makes it easy to receive documents electronically, review and annotate them–with a digital signature–and send them on their way. What used to take hours, or even days, can now be completed in a matter of minutes without ever leaving the property—something that was unheard of even a few years ago.

Adopting new technology means managing the drawbacks while maximizing the benefits. Choose the wrong product to jump on board with, and you may never hear the end of it from employees or even your customers. Users are typically open to learning how a new product works, so long as they can see how it will help them perform their job in the long run.