Businesses throughout the UK are turning away form traditional, paper-based methods of project work and office interaction in order to reduce costs, boost productivity and improve their capacity for strategic thinking and action. Here are some the principle innovations in digital technology driving that sweeping move towards efficiency, which in turn are creating exciting, new prospects for UK SMBs.

1. Cloud-based Technology

The cloud. No one can explain it, but it’s changing the way we store and access our most personal digital items, and it’s revolutionising file sharing and project management. By allowing companies to store and share an unlimited amount of documentation, businesses can now conduct a huge number of their daily activities at a fraction of the cost. Furthermore, this has given rise to online project management platforms, which are further allowing businesses to make use of this facility for streamlined project work.

2. Handheld Devices

Access to the wealth of information and collaborative project work that cloud technology enables is further enhanced by mobile phone accessibility. Without the need to even open a laptop, team members and leaders can access key information, exchange ideas, approve assignments and assign tasks.

3. Web-based Platforms

Project management tools and collaboration software are increasingly allowing for remote teams and flexible working. As a result, businesses themselves are infinitely more flexible and more scalable, no longer reliant on large office space, and with access to an enormous talent pool.

Also, such platforms offer a central repository for file exchange and storage, making far more efficient the processes centred around documentation and data. Instant retrieval and high security are two key benefits, here.

4. Tools for Collaboration

Likewise, the move away from email chains allows for conversations to be accessible by all team members, for those information exchanges to be focused, relevant and managed with quick links.

5. File Versioning

Importantly, with such a focus on files and the documents and date therein, file versioning means that any team member can be sure of what version of the document they are working on at any given time, whether it is the latest version of that document, what other people have viewed or edited it, and with the ability to access and edit a previous version should that be required.

Online workspaces and other tools for project management and collaboration, fuelled by innovations in cloud technology and web-based platforms are changing the way businesses operate, and vastly improving their opportunities for future success.