Whether you’re in the startup stage of launching your next great idea or trying to grow your existing small business, there’s a lot to consider to keep everything running smoothly. Ariel and Harvey, two experts from tech support service Geeks2U, are here to provide small business owners like you with their answers to your burning business tech questions. 

Find out which devices can help make the day-to-day running of your business more efficient, the new tech worth investing in to keep you in touch with current trends and how to find the right digital solutions for data protection and to give you seamless backup options in the event of an outage. ‍

Geeks2U tech support experts Harvey and Ariel standing side by side in an Officeworks store. They are smiling and looking at the camera.

What are the must-have pieces of tech for running a well-connected small business?

Ariel: “The five things I consider must-haves for running a small business are:

  1. A solid cybersecurity system to avoid any possible theft of information. 
  2. Videoconferencing tools, such as cameras and microphones for presentations and meetings.
  3. Payment platforms to be able to transfer money securely online or physically. 
  4. Cloud storage, so you and your colleagues can work as a team from anywhere.
  5. Reliable internet connectivity, via Wi-Fi boosters in the office or portable modems.”
An assortment of products for running a well-connected small business, shown on various brightly coloured backgrounds. Products include things like webcams and Wi-Fi extenders.

What to Try:

Two people standing in a cafe setting, smiling and looking at a digital tablet together.

What are some useful tech skills I should learn as a small business owner?

Ariel: “I’d recommend learning some basic cybersecurity for protection of personal information and data handling and knowing what to do with devices when travelling, both locally and overseas, such as how to use a virtual private network (VPN) and how to track your devices. Plus, developing healthy habits such as understanding the correct body position when you’re working for long hours in front of a computer, or how to position your head when you’re working from a smartphone.”

SEE ALSO: How to Create a Movement-Friendly Home Office Setup

Why is it important to keep your business’ operating system up-to-date? 

Harvey: “It’s incredibly important to ensure you are using machines that have current security updates so that hackers do not gain access to your systems through vulnerabilities discovered after an operating system is no longer being supported. For example, Windows 10’s update support life is set to end in October this year, so if you haven’t yet upgraded your systems to Windows 11 yet, you still have time to do so.”

What to Try:

An assortment of Wi-Fi mesh systems to help small businesses create a reliable network, shown on various brightly coloured backgrounds.

Why is having a reliable network critical for a small business owner?  

Harvey: “Because it directly impacts everything from day-to-day operations to customer satisfaction and financial transactions. Wi-Fi can be a huge sticking point for many business owners no matter what industry you’re in, from black spots with no connection or purely having connection issues because you’re too far away from your modem. A Wi-Fi mesh system can be hugely beneficial as you can set up many Wi-Fi points around your business to provide a seamless internet connection no matter where you are.”

What to Try:

Two uninterruptible power supply products for helping to protect small businesses from power outages, shown on various brightly coloured backgrounds.

How do I protect my business from power outages?

Ariel: “Ideally, you need an alternative power source known as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). You plug your device into this, rather than directly into the main powerpoint. Then, you connect the UPS to the powerpoint instead. These regulate the voltage coming into your device and provide short-term backup power in the case of surges and other abnormalities. Using cloud-based tools will also mean you can work on your documents from any device, and back-ups are performed in real time with your internet connection, so you don’t have to worry about manual backups.”

What to Try:

An assortment of laptops with AI technology that can be used for small business, shown on various brightly coloured backgrounds.

What are the benefits of investing in AI technology like Copilot for my business?

Harvey: “There are lots of benefits to using an AI system like Microsoft’s Copilot, such as summarising meetings and documents through to assisting with writing emails, reports or helping to automate tasks to reduce the human cost on the business. It’s a constantly evolving system that has only gotten better over time.”

What to Try:

SEE ALSO: An Expert Answers Your AI Questions

An assortment of products to help with hybrid working, shown on various brightly coloured backgrounds. Products include things like portable modems and 2-in-1 laptops.

As a small business owner, I need a portable device for hybrid working. What is the most flexible type of device and why?

Ariel: “I recommend a tablet mainly because of its portability and it can easily be connected with a keyboard and mouse to work like a laptop. You can also include a portable modem to work with high-speed internet from anywhere, in case the tablet does not have access to a SIM card or eSIM. And a cover to avoid breakage in case of a fall.”

What to Try:

Which tech systems are best for tracking environmental impact or improving sustainability practices?

Harvey: “There are several pieces of software for this, including Microsoft Sustainability Manager, which tracks carbon emissions, water usage and waste. EcoPortal offers environmental, health and safety management software tailored for Australian organisations and provides a centralised platform to streamline processes, such as incident management, risk assessment, audits and compliance reporting, aiding in effective environmental management.”

SEE ALSO: More Sustainable Business Practices Owners Are Embracing

An assortment of products to help with managing inventory, shown on various brightly coloured backgrounds. Products include things like card readers and POS systems.

What are the must-have technology tools for managing inventory and supply chains efficiently as a small business?

Harvey: “This requires the right technology tools to streamline operations and reduce errors. Essential tools include inventory management software like Zoho Inventory for real-time stock tracking, POS systems such as Square to sync sales with inventory, and shipping solutions like ShipStation for automated order fulfillment.”

What to Try:

What are the tech support tasks I should invest in a professional to help with?

Ariel: “I’d recommend enlisting the help of a professional when it comes to things that are more complex. These include:

  • In-depth cybersecurity, cloud storage and setting up ecommerce for your business. 
  • Security, to prevent data theft and increase security on all customer accounts. 
  • Cloud storage, to find out which option is the most suitable depending on your job and your business.
  • Ecommerce support for the installation of credit card readers and synchronisation with your accounts.”

SEE ALSO: Small Business Tips: How to Prepare for Peak Season

What emerging technologies should small businesses keep an eye on in 2025 to stay competitive?

Harvey: “Everyone’s favourite buzzword is AI, and for a good reason. It can be immensely powerful if used in the right way, whether it’s for helping to increase your organisation’s security using endpoint detection and response software such as SentinelOne or CrowdStrike, or using an AI-driven voice assistant for enhancing customers’ experiences through companies such as Genesys or Yellow.ai. I’d recommend you experiment and find what is right for your business.”

Need further assistance with your tech problems? Call Geeks2U on 1300 725 420 or visit geeks2u.com.au