by Carl Bunton 4 years ago 
Technology can be used in all kinds of ways to help a business, which makes it incredibly valuable. The trouble with technology is that it is constantly improving and developing, especially in recent years. This might be just one of the reasons why the government would offer tax relief for businesses that are constantly developing new technology or products, such a company would be able to speak to this R&D tax claim research and development accountant to see if their business can claim for tax relief due to continuous development cycles. This means that businesses are constantly having to make improvements and upgrades in order to stay current and keep pace with the competition, which can be a constant challenge and often requires investment (although this can usually deliver ROI) however, this is the incentive for saving money by relief opportunities provided by the government. So, what are a few of the best upgrades to make this year? Read on for a few smart tech upgrades to consider for 2021, which could help your business in a few ways.
1. Cybersecurity Upgrades
One of the most important areas to address this year is cybersecurity, especially if your business has switched to remote work during the pandemic. Making sure you have done the appropriate tests, such as pen testing, for your software will allow you to know where the problems are in your devices and how to solve them. Being aware of any vulnerabilities in your software is really important when combatting cyberattacks. While remote working can bring a range of benefits to all parties, it can create vulnerabilities, which has seen a sharp rise in cybercrime since the pandemic started. This is why businesses need to look into cybersecurity upgrades that will help to protect important company data.
2. Remote Tools
Leading on from this point, it is also worthwhile investing in the best remote working tools in order to maximize remote performance. Some companies have struggled to adjust to remote work, but tools such as videoconferencing, team chat apps, screen sharing software and cloud computing can be used to overcome the challenges that remote work can bring and could help you and your team to embrace this way of working. It’s so important for businesses to stay in contact with their employees, so being able to communicate and collaborate with them is so important. Perhaps some businesses should consider looking into other remote working solutions to make operations run smoother.
3. Website Redesign
Websites can look incredibly dated after a few years due to web design trends quickly changing and the fact that people tend to visit so many websites each and every day. You do not want your site to look dated as this could put off a potential customer, which is why a website redesign courtesy of a specialist like https://www.altagency.co.uk could be a smart upgrade this year. This will ensure that your website is fresh, attractive, engaging and responsive, which should help to increase conversions and improve your brand reputation.
4. Green Upgrades
Businesses should also be looking for green upgrades that they could be making, which could help to reduce your environmental impact and improve how you are perceived by an incredibly environmentally-conscious consumer base – many upgrades could also lower your bills too. A few of the best upgrades to consider include switching to alternative energy, remote work, energy-efficient equipment and LED lightbulbs.
5. Software Upgrades
Business owners should also review their software and see if there are any upgrades that can be made. Software is another area where there are constant improvements being made, so you may find that you are able to upgrade and automate or streamline a process that can make a big difference to the daily running of the company.
These are all upgrades that are worth looking into in 2021 and could help your business in numerous ways. It is challenging when tech is always developing, but the above are all worthwhile upgrades to make over the next 12 months.