--- title: The Top 8 Tech & IT Trends for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses description: In 2022, Ontario-based businesses are settling into a “new normal”, and there are new challenges they’ll have to address over the course of the year. image: https://www.otgroup.ca/hubfs/Technology%20Trends%20eBook%20Blog.png --- [**](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://www.otgroup.ca/business-technology-insights/the-top-8-tech-it-trends-for-small-and-medium-sized-businesses&url=https://www.otgroup.ca/business-technology-insights/the-top-8-tech-it-trends-for-small-and-medium-sized-businesses&source=tweetbutton&text=The%20Top%208%20Tech%20&%20IT%20Trends%20for%20Small%20and%20Medium-Sized%20Businesses) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.otgroup.ca/business-technology-insights/the-top-8-tech-it-trends-for-small-and-medium-sized-businesses&title=The%20Top%208%20Tech%20&%20IT%20Trends%20for%20Small%20and%20Medium-Sized%20Businesses&summary=&source=https://www.otgroup.ca/business-technology-insights/the-top-8-tech-it-trends-for-small-and-medium-sized-businesses) [**](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.otgroup.ca/business-technology-insights/the-top-8-tech-it-trends-for-small-and-medium-sized-businesses) # The Top 8 Tech & IT Trends for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Posted on February 22, 2022 Topics: [Technology Trends](https://www.otgroup.ca/business-technology-insights/tag/technology-trends) ![The Top 8 Tech & IT Trends for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses](https://www.otgroup.ca/hubfs/Technology%20Trends%20eBook%20Blog.png) Keeping up with the latest IT trends and developments can be incredibly difficult, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses that don’t have the resources to truly focus on their [IT strategy](https://www.otgroup.ca/it-infrastructure/it-strategy-services). Yet when harnessed correctly, new technologies provide businesses with the opportunity to greatly increase internal efficiencies, improve productivity, optimize profitability and gain a competitive advantage over others in their industry. As we move into 2022, Ontario-based businesses are settling into a “new normal”, and there are new challenges they’ll have to address over the course of the year - including a slow turnaround on new technologies due to the chip shortage, price inflation, the transition to remote work and a significant shortage in workers. The thing is, the right IT strategy can help businesses address all of these challenges. That’s why we’ve created a free eBook that looks at the top IT and technology trends that can help businesses grow over the coming year. We take a look at some of the opportunities, technologies and IT strategies that will push your business into the future, including: - The importance of implementing an IT infrastructure that supports remote work - How companies can address the challenge of IT supply chain issues - Why cybersecurity is crucial in 2022, and why just antivirus isn’t enough - How today’s office technologies are changing - The transition to contactless office technology - How technology will be used to address the labour shortage - The unification of collaboration tools - Why companies will be more willing to partner with outsourced IT support providers You can download the eBook for free by clicking the image below, or for a quick summary of the points we cover in the guide please feel free to continue reading this blog. [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2073096/e91f9663-57e4-4d62-8c09-c13ad6f74b7b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2073096/e91f9663-57e4-4d62-8c09-c13ad6f74b7b) **#1 - The importance of supporting a ‘work-from-anywhere’ model** Flexible workforce models are here to stay for the vast majority of businesses in Ontario, with many organizations adopting remote work, hybrid and ‘work-from-anywhere’ models for their employees.  To ensure their team is productive, companies will need to use technologies and build [an IT infrastructure that supports their remote employees](https://www.otgroup.ca/en-ca/remote-worker-technologies) - no matter where they are working from. This includes communication technology that drives collaboration, project management software that keeps teams on track, as well as cloud-based systems that can be accessed from anywhere. **#2 - How businesses will look to address IT supply chain issues** [The IT supply shortage](https://www.otgroup.ca/business-technology-insights/how-small-businesses-can-adapt-during-the-it-supply-shortage) is set to be a serious challenge for small and medium-sized businesses, and is being driven by the chip shortage. Businesses will find it increasingly difficult to purchase new technologies, especially under short notice.  To address this challenge, companies in 2022 will need to proactively think about their IT strategies to maximize the use of their existing office technologies, as well as thinking of new ways in which they can fulfill their IT requirements. **#3 - Antivirus alone is no longer enough to protect companies from cyber threats** Small businesses are now target number one for cybercriminals. They have plenty of customer information ⁠- like credit card numbers, email addresses, and insurance details ⁠- that are enticing to cyber criminals, and these businesses are typically lacking [cybersecurity strategies](https://www.otgroup.ca/it-service-provider/cybersecurity-for-small-to-medium-sized-businesses). While antivirus software is an important aspect of keeping a business secure, it’s not longer enough on its own. Companies will recognize that in 2022, and focus on implementing a robust cybersecurity strategy. **#4 - Office technologies are changing dramatically** With fewer people in the office than a couple of years ago, we expect to see some pretty significant changes when it comes to office technology over the course of the year. We anticipate that technologies such as [VoIP](https://www.otgroup.ca/en-ca/cloud-based-voip-internet-phone-communication-systems), smaller desktop printers and bring-your-own-device policies will grow significantly in popularity. **#5 - Office’s will begin to shift to contactless technologies** The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we think about touching shared surfaces. As a result, the office of 2022 will be characterized by a transition towards [touchless technology that reduces contact](https://www.otgroup.ca/business-technology-insights/touchless-printing-how-to-limit-contact-on-shared-devices). One of the most popular office technologies that this will focus on is printing and copying. To do this, companies will move towards printers and copiers that use swipe cards, mobile print release technology or voice recognition to reduce contact on these shared devices.  **#6 - Businesses must find ways to use technology to mitigate the impact of the labour shortage** The labour shortage, which has been dubbed ‘The Great Resignation’, is set to continue throughout 2022. With job openings more difficult to fill than ever before, we expect that businesses in Ontario will increase their [use of technology in a bid to fill labour gaps](https://www.otgroup.ca/business-technology-insights/how-small-bsusinesses-can-use-tech-to-solve-labour-shortage-challenges). Technologies that companies will turn to include: - Automating business processes for more efficient teams - An infrastructure that supports remote work, so they can access a larger pool of talented workers. - Technology that helps upskill existing employees **#7 - The unification of collaboration tools** Good communication and collaboration is more important for the current workforce than ever before, especially when considering just how many employees are now working from home. That’s why we expect spending on [unified communications and collaboration (UC&C)](https://www.otgroup.ca/business-technology-insights/what-are-the-benefits-of-unified-communications-uc) software to increase in 2022. By unifying all communication in one platform, businesses can benefit from streamlined processes, improved collaboration, increased business agility and reduced costs.  **#8 - We expect to see a greater willingness for organizations to partner with outsourced IT support providers** It’s not uncommon for small and medium-sized businesses to have no in-house IT support. Instead, technical problems and IT decisions are handled by the most tech-savvy person in the company. This can work for a short amount of time, but it’s certainly not a sustainable practice.  Over the course of the year, we expect to see more organizations have a greater willingness to partner with an [outsourced IT support provider](https://www.otgroup.ca/business-technology-insights/the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-it-outsourcing) for all of their technology needs. The benefits can be huge! Are you interested in learning more about what technologies can drive business growth in 2022? [Get in touch with the OT Group team of experts today](https://www.otgroup.ca/contact-us). We’d be pleased to answer any questions that you have. [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2073096/f9de9072-bb5c-47f0-bb19-d6a6c9ac61cf.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2073096/f9de9072-bb5c-47f0-bb19-d6a6c9ac61cf) ![OT Group 2023 Trends eBook COVER-2](https://www.otgroup.ca/hubfs/2023%20Trends%20eBook/OT%20Group%202023%20Trends%20eBook%20COVER-2.png) ### Your Ultimate Guide to the Top Business IT Trends in 2023 In this new OT Group guide, we take a look at the hottest IT trends that will help Ontario-based small and medium-sized businesses grow over the coming year. [![Download Free Guide](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2073096/dca98013-ac6b-4651-b087-156d21463b3a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2073096/dca98013-ac6b-4651-b087-156d21463b3a) ### Related posts Technology Trends - February 02, 2023 #### [The Top 5 Office Technology Trends of 2023](https://www.otgroup.ca/business-technology-insights/office-technology-trends-2023) Technology Trends - July 14, 2022 #### [The Top 5 Current IT Consulting Trends](https://www.otgroup.ca/business-technology-insights/the-top-5-current-it-consulting-trends) ![What is Outsourced IT (1)](https://www.otgroup.ca/hubfs/What%20is%20Outsourced%20IT%20(1).png) #### Is your company ready to reach new growth, and overcome the IT challenges that have been holding you back? 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