The SME Guide to Business Uncapped Wireless Solutions

For businesses moving towards digital transformation, access to the internet is non-negotiable. Business grade internet connections such as Business Uncapped Wireless Solutions, allow entrepreneurs to take advantage of advances in technology that are available today.

Digital transformation opens huge benefits for small businesses. By leveraging new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, the Internet of Things (IoT) and next-generation robotics, businesses can achieve greater productivity, efficiency, and innovation. Consequently, small businesses are able to compete with larger, more established companies through the development of new products and services, reduced costs, and more efficient operations.

Research has shown that small business owners that use technology to run their businesses more efficiently, achieve greater results. An independent study found that small businesses that prioritised digital transformation outperform their peers and have eight times higher revenues than those that did not prioritise digitalisation.

Poor internet connectivity holds small businesses back from taking advantage of new technologies. Access to reliable, fast internet access continues to be an issue for many South African small businesses.

The biggest challenges that have been identified are high costs, as compared to other countries; limited coverage, especially in remote areas; undeveloped infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, townships, and informal settlements; and slow internet speeds. These factors make it difficult for businesses to access the internet.

The advantages of technology can only be maximised when small businesses have reliable and affordable internet connection. South African businesses have a number of internet connection types available to them, including ADSL, fibre, satellite, 4G/5G and wireless internet connection.

Wireless internet connection is an increasingly attractive option for the South African market. It uses radio waves to transmit data and is available in South Africa through mobile networks and Wi-Fi hotspots. This type of connection is ideally suited for urban, township, and rural communities that don’t have access to fibre but need robust, seamless connectivity at faster speeds. Compared to other connectivity options, uncapped wireless solutions are typically easy to set up and do not require the installation of additional infrastructure or cables, which can be time-consuming and costly.

An increasing number of providers now offer business uncapped wireless solutions which  are internet plans designed to provide businesses with unlimited internet usage, without data caps or restrictions. These solutions use a wireless network to deliver reliable, cost effective and fast internet connections.

Here are some of the biggest advantages business owners can expect from uncapped wireless internet connection.

Reduces operational costs and improved overall efficiency by increasing mobility, reducing costs, providing flexibility, improving collaboration, and reducing IT support costs.

Provides remote workers with the flexibility, mobility, and collaboration tools they need to work effectively from anywhere with an internet connection. This can improve productivity, reduce costs, and enhance work-life balance for both employees and businesses.

Can be scaled for growing businesses that may need to increase their bandwidth to accommodate more users and devices. This can be achieved by upgrading to a higher-speed internet plan or increasing the number of internet connections.

Provides reliability and uptime compared to wired solutions. Wireless internet providers often have multiple data centers and backup power systems to ensure high availability and uptime. This means that even in the event of a power outage or other service interruption, the wireless network can continue to operate without interruption

Has security benefits that can be used to protect business data. There are several different techniques that serve to improve the security of a wireless network. The most common techniques include: encryption, firewalls and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) .

Easy to install and manage. Many uncapped wireless solutions come with plug-and-play installation, which means that businesses can easily install and set up their wireless network without needing technical expertise or specialised equipment.

Wireless internet solutions enable businesses to perform a number of key business activities, such as uploading and downloading large files, video conferencing, and accessing cloud-based applications. That’s why it’s important that business owners carefully consider their options and choose an internet plan that suits their needs.

The most important factors when choosing the right wireless solution  for your business are quality of connection, speed, constant connectivity, and cost.

Quality of connection – This refers to the accuracy, completeness and success of information being sent and received over your connection. The quality of connection ensures the performance of critical applications. Poor quality connection can hinder your business operations and result in revenue loss.

Speed – Internet speed (also known as bandwidth) refers to how much data can be uploaded or downloaded in a second and is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). How fast you need your speed to be will depend on the number of people that will be using the connection your business and your connectivity needs. For example, online browsing, research, email have much lower speed requirements compared to frequent cloud computing, video conferencing, and data backups. Most wireless solution providers offer various speed tiers to accommodate different business needs and sizes – these range from 10Mbps, 20Mbps, 50Mbps and 100Mbps.

Data allowances – Uncapped wireless solutions offer businesses the flexibility to increase their internet usage as needed without incurring extra costs. This is particularly useful for businesses that experience high internet usage during certain periods or for short-term projects.

Constant connectivity – Continuous connectivity is critical.  Internet disruptions as a result of sluggish or underperforming can result in loss of productivity, diminished staff morale and even operational failure.

Cost – Uncapped Wireless Solutions can be more cost-effective than traditional wired connections, particularly for small businesses that don’t have the resources to invest in expensive infrastructure. This can allow businesses to access high-speed internet at a lower cost, freeing up resources to invest in other areas of the business.

The biggest benefit of uncapped wireless internet is, undoubtedly, the opportunity it offers businesses to make use of digital tools such as cloud services and e-commerce.

According to Xero’s latest ‘Time To Build’ report, adoption of digital tools such as cloud accounting has surged in South Africa, going from 13% of SMEs using it in 2017 to 61% in 2020. This number was expected to go up as more businesses go online post COVID-19.

Cloud computing is the most widely  used tech among small businesses. Research reveals that the portion of small businesses that already use cloud (44%), report significant benefits. Of those that use cloud technology, 70% say the main benefit is time savings – with almost half (48%) stating that they have claimed back more than ten hours per week. A further 52% also say that cloud technology has saved them money.

Businesses can use cloud technology for a wide range of operations, including:

Accounting- Cloud-based accounting software makes it easier for businesses to access financial data, make collaborations and complete financial reporting. The technology provides businesses with greater flexibility, this is because data can be accessed from anywhere. Businesses also enjoy greater efficiency by automating key business calculations of tax and payroll. This saves businesses both time and money and takes the hassle out of tax compliance.

HR/payroll –  Businesses can now automate the entire process of managing employees with cloud-based payroll software. These solutions streamline the many processes associated with payroll, including managing employee records, performing payroll calculations and issuing payslips. The software is also able to generate compliance reports and handle all employee tax matters. All data is accessible at any time and on any device.

E-commerce – E-commerce has transformed the traditional retail business model of a brick and mortar store and has taken it online. Cloud-based ecommerce enables businesses “to manage and scale data storage, hosting, and digital commerce applications such as virtual payments, inventory management, and product information management.”. E-commerce technology has increased efficiency and profitability for businesses as they now have the opportunity to scale their business and reach a wider market. For consumers, online shopping has introduced greater convenience, allowing them to shop from anywhere at any time.

POS Systems – A point-of-sale (POS) system that is cloud-based enables businesses to manage and utilise their POS software through any device that is connected to the internet. These systems are usually offered on a subscription basis with a range of features included. The benefits for businesses range from increased convenience for customers and 24/7 access to data, to better sales insights that support informed decision-making.

Customer service – Cloud-based customer service software enables small businesses to provide a better customer experience by offering faster internet speeds and improved connectivity. This can enable businesses to offer more digital services, such as online ordering and customer support, which can improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Digital marketing – By using digital marketing tools, businesses can advertise their products and services and communicate with customers across the world. Some of the online marketing tools that business owners can take advantage of are social media, SEO and email marketing. These tools can help small businesses stay ahead of the competition and attract their ideal customers.

Payment solutions – With cloud-based payment systems businesses can accept and process payments via the internet. Examples of the different types of payment solutions available are payment gateways, mobile payments and Point-of-Sale (POS) systems. These online payment-processing methods have many benefits for businesses, they are fully flexible and can be scaled to meet changing business needs. The data stored on these cloud-based systems is also more secure than data stored on physical systems.

Business Uncapped Wireless Solutions enable small businesses to take advantage of more digital opportunities  by improving internet access, increasing mobility, reducing costs, and improving the customer experience. This can ultimately lead to increased revenue and growth for the business.