Tackling tangled tech
If you’re like many of the small businesses we surveyed, you may be using a variety of tools to keep up with growing commerce trends. While 76% said they’re using one to four tools at a time, 24% say they’re using upwards of 10 or more just to get by.
Maybe you started with a simple solution at first, then needed more tools to manage new parts of your small business. Maybe you’ve rationalized the need for a larger tech stack to stay ahead of the game.
Whatever the case, tech sprawl is a slippery slope toward diminishing returns, and SMBs are feeling the heat. One major pain point of overcomplicated tech is the time drain that comes from switching between all the tools each day just to stay afloat.
We found most SMBs spend upwards of three hours managing systems, while another 30% lose anywhere between four to 10+ hours to these tasks. That’s valuable time better spent interacting with customers, innovating and more.
37%
less than 1 hour
33%
1 to 3 hours
30%
up to 10+ hours
It’s not just a convenience problem — it’s a growth problem
Out of all of our surveyed small businesses, around 80% said their systems are mostly separate or somewhat integrated. Only 11% could confidently say they were operating with fully integrated systems, while a few SMBs weren’t even sure.
Adding even more tools to avoid duplicate data entry, automate inventory and reduce manual mistakes may sound like a convenient solution, but just getting through the day isn’t enough to propel your business forward.
You need time to dig deeper into customer insights to make experiences more personalized. Time to attend that can’t-miss conference that will take your strategy to the next level. Time to reinvest into your business. Time to breathe. When there’s only 24 hours in a day, how do you do it all?
SMBs are craving a better solution
Our survey results made one thing very clear: SMBs across all industries want more functionality with less complexity.
Around 86% say they find a single platform more appealing, with 60% in agreement switching between systems steals valuable time. We also found the biggest factor when making the decision to switch to a fully integrated provider is the total cost to value ratio, with trust coming in a close second.
Making every minute count
Today’s small business needs more than just a commerce solution, or just an inventory solution. It needs to tackle every aspect of the business at all times. Invoicing, payments, point of sale, CRM, inventory management, employee management, loyalty programs… the list goes on. It’s why there’s such a strong pull for SMBs to keep adding bells and whistles to their tech stack.
More value for the money
The hard truth? Paying for and managing disparate systems starts to add up fast. You need a solution, not more bandaids. Although there’s no magic solution for tool sprawl, there is a more cost-effective solution to consider — a unified tech stack. By integrating systems, you can manage everything from one place, with a single provider.
Why choosing the right provider matters for your small business tech stack
An all-in-one platform provider for your small business should save you time, money and headaches. You need someone in your corner who understands your business needs and has the capabilities to back you up wherever you are on your journey. And the benefits speak for themselves.
Make it a combo
Bundling your tech with one provider makes it easier to see the big picture— no more juggling contracts and surprise fees.
Do more with less
Manage your customer-facing and back office operations from one platform.
Get back more time in your day
Less time spent juggling disparate systems means you can spend more time doing what fuels your business.
Grow how and when you want
When you’re ready to make your next big move, an all-in-one provider can add the right functionality without compromising efficiency.
Taking the final tally when it comes to your small business tech stack
At the end of the day, a big question is: What would you do with more time back in your day? But that’s not exactly the right question. Chances are, you already know exactly what you’d do with extra hours. Around 42% of our surveyed SMBs said they would reinvest primarily into marketing, 39% into equipment and upgrades and 27% into innovation.
Another survey we recently conducted revealed SMBs leveraging unified tech saw 10 hours and $2k saved weekly, with 55% seeing better cashflow. So, the real question is: Are you ready to take the next step?
Want to learn how to tap into all-in-one efficiency?
Source: Global Payments survey
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