Thu Feb 28

A Guide to Tech for the Not So Tech Savvy Entrepreneur

Written by Kyle Moore

Many of today’s millennials are pretty tech savvy - they’ve grown up with technology and can explain in fairly fine detail the meaning of specific tech jargon. Not only are they knowledgeable about various technological domains, they also understand how to navigate their way through tech issues and are aware of the precautions they need to take to steer clear of danger. (Hint: If you’re an entrepreneur, especially a not so tech savvy one, you know the value of hiring millennials!)

For the rest of us, however, finding our way through this tech driven world is a minefield. Since technology is ever-evolving, there is always more to learn and this reality can make many of us feel like we’ll never be able to keep up, so why even begin to try. This mindset can limit many individuals. Aspiring entrepreneurs who are not tech savvy can often feel overwhelmed by their limited technological ability and knowledge, and contemplate discarding their idea because of it, in fact, some do.

The truth is, understanding the basics of technology, or at least the most important bits, is all you really need to get by. You don’t need to be a guru, but you do need to understand the technologies that can make your business operations easier, and those which will protect it.

Without further ado, let’s dive into the basics of tech, for the not so tech savvy entrepreneur:

IT

IT stands for Information Technology and encompasses the entirety of computer operations and networks including applications, operating systems, hardware, databases, storage, servers etc. An organisation’s IT infrastructure is a critical element of the business, without it, a business would be extremely hard to run and will likely have a hard time achieving success. This is why, when there are IT issues within a business, people become worried - it can cause great damage, over and above the fact it’s incredibly inconvenient. Seek out managed IT services Perth to ensure you are just one call away from help, should you have IT related problems. There is no problem that cannot be fixed, but when it comes to IT there are indeed problems that are too complex for just anyone to fix.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing, in simple terms, is a storage solution. Basically, implementing cloud computing means you do not rely on servers and on-site software or tangible storage solutions which are bulky and take up space. Instead, you save your data in a ‘cloud’. What’s great about this, is you and anyone else authorised to access the cloud, can access it from anywhere, at any time. It is also the safest way to store important data and files, and by far the most efficient. So say goodbye to storage cabinets, expensive software and unreliable servers, and make use of cloud computing.

API

API stand for ‘Application Program Interface’. To put it simply, API makes it possible for you to interact with your software. The software’s API makes it possible for you as the user to create requests, and delivers the ‘message’ to the provider, which then carries out your request. It works as the middle man between the app provider and the user (you), and is also the middleman between the provider and other apps.

Now if you don’t fully understand what software is, you most certainly wouldn’t have understood API. So, let’s get your head around software. The word ‘software’ is pretty broad, but the easiest way to understand what it is, is by thinking of the important elements you’d like a computer to have in order to fulfil your business or personal needs seamlessly. Software is any program, application or operating systems which allow a computer to work, and which offers you the opportunity to carry out various tasks - whether its word processing, accounting, presentations etc. Without software your computer would be not be of value to you, because you wouldn’t be able to carry out any tasks.

Cyber Hacking

Cyber hacking is no buzzword, it happens all too often, and it can cause huge destruction especially within a business - and especially within a start-up. Cyber hacking is carried out by super strategic hackers, most of which have years of experience hacking. They can steal your files, your money, your database - there really is no limit to the amount of damage the can do. This is why it’s essential that you protect your business from hackers. Just some basic ways to achieve this is by regularly changing your passwords, updating your anti-virus and making sure your ISP has built-in security features.