Have you ever worked with technology that doesn’t quite fit your needs? You play with it, trying to get it to function “your” way. You Google it. You watch FAQ videos. You look for workarounds to get what you’re ultimately trying to do.

And at the end of the day, you realize it doesn’t work. It’s never going to work the way you desire. That’s life with third-party systems.

That’s life when you piecemeal your systems together. Wouldn’t it be nice to have the right-size technology for where you sit today? Something that does everything you need it to do?

Given that most practices buy into a solution and stick with it for at least a few years, it’s a good idea to move into each decision with a plan. Each decision needs to address a wide variety of components beyond “Is this affordable?” and “Does it solve my problem today?”

Cultural fit and growth potential should also be on your checklist.

Question #1: Does this technology offer solutions today and provide growth opportunities?

One of the easiest traps to fall into is approaching every technology purchase with today’s needs in mind. You go into each transaction with a narrow scope, looking for the easiest fix.

But what happens when you turn it around and look for ways it can help you in other areas of your business? What can it offer you to help you grow? Does it allow for expansion? Can you see yourself growing into the next level of services?

While not every piece of technology has to function for years into the future, with big-picture thinking, you can sometimes use it to help with future planning. It can open you up to ideas you never thought to incorporate into your practice before.

Question #2: Why are our current systems failing? 

Have you ever taken a step back and looked hard at why the current system isn’t working? You might be frustrated with individual pieces, but what about as a whole?

Sit down and create a pro/con list for your current systems. What works? What doesn’t? This can give you a list to go “shopping” with. It may also lead you to discover other add-ons to help your current systems work better.

This isn’t the time for self-serve. If you haven’t talked with experts, now may be the time to partner with technology assistance to create the right path to set your technology up correctly.

Question #3: Is it possible to repurpose existing systems with little effort? 

Most businesses don’t give much thought to finding technology specifically suited for their size and function. It matters.

It’s easy to go with a large company, figuring they are technology experts. Yes, they have experience. But if you’re a small fish in a big pond, you’ll likely receive the lowest level of customer care. You may have trouble fitting in with low-level care as you work through your issues.

Going with a small technology offering isn’t always the best choice either. If you fully utilize the technology today, how will you grow? Will you be bandaging technology together to try and make it work? Chances are you’re already there.

Sometimes workarounds work. If you rely on technology experts to help you create efficiencies in your practice, you’ll have a system that works today, and know it will be there for you tomorrow. Win-win.

Question #4: What happens when we think long-term?

Do you have goals to remain small and offer superb customer care? Do you have dreams of opening multiple practices all over the city? Two separate dreams require two separate approaches.

This is the perfect time to partner with a technology expert.

You don’t know what you don’t know. And that can cost you down the road if you fall into systems that don’t perfectly align with our goals.

Before you take the next step and jump at technology that may not work for you, let’s have a conversation instead.

For IT Strategy, Cloud Conversion, or Help Desk Services reach out to us at Silver Linings Technology 360-450-4759.