Nowadays, it is a palpable reality that Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) is increasing its functionalities and decreasing its cost. Currently, we carry this technology in our pockets and use it in any mobile operation. Artificial Intelligence is already present in our homes and vehicles through voice assistants, and we also activate it when we do a Google search. Therefore, we are not exaggerating when we say that AI is within reach of SMEs and that they can take advantage of it.
As we will see below, AI applied in small and medium-sized companies can be used to improve customer service and automate routine tasks. Implementing time management systems with this technology and streamlining marketing strategies is even familiar.
Importance of Artificial Intelligence In SMEs
One of the primary purposes of implementing Artificial Intelligence in a company is to obtain competitive advantages, regardless of the field or department in which it is applied. Both in ecommerce and the industrial sector, in human resources, administration and accounting, customer relations, marketing, etc.
AI solutions tend to increase the company’s overall performance, increase sales, reduce operating costs, automate customer management, save time, reduce failures, and boost data capture and processing.
Available AI Solutions And Their Functionality
There are accessible systems on the market in the form of software as a service ( SaaS ) with multiple functionalities capable of covering and interconnecting different business areas. We find CRM ( Customer Relationship Management ), ERP ( Enterprise Resources Planning ) and other marketing automation resources. As well as the well-known and diverse administrative and HR management systems. It is feasible to streamline processes such as supply chain management, logistics, and internal operations through these. More in detail, these solutions can perform some every day but time-consuming tasks, such as scheduling meetings, responding to common customer requests, and other charges.
However, the applications of Artificial Intelligence in companies go beyond offering comfort. Those solutions focused on marketing and analyzing data from various sources to measure the impact of campaigns and communication on the audience. They even evaluate the interaction with the content shared on different online platforms and even customers’ purchasing behavior.
In essence, the primary objective of AI services is to provide flexible, adaptable and interactive solutions according to the requirements and purposes of the users. However, the decision to incorporate these cloud-based tools should be part of a well-structured digital transformation plan. It must include investment in equipment training, hardware and, in particular, in proven powerful and effective connectivity solutions.
Perspectives of Artificial Intelligence
Gartner’s prestigious consulting firm predicts that Artificial Intelligence will help recover 6.2 billion hours of productivity throughout 2021. It also estimates that this technology will generate 2.9 billion dollars in the value of companies when associated with human intelligence.
Considering these perspectives, SMEs and large corporations should point to the incorporation or strengthening of AI as a priority option. Furthermore, according to a study called the State of Artificial Intelligence for Enterprises, close to 80% of companies have already invested in some form of AI today. At the same time, 30% plan to increase their investment in the technology at hand over the next three years. Other than that, organizations that have invested in AI solutions expect high ROI over the next three, five, and ten years.
Also Read: Benefits of The Consulting Service For SMEs In Purchasing
How Can SMEs Take Advantage of Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial Intelligence can intervene favorably in various processes of SMEs. Let’s look at some of the most relevant aspects that such technology can improve.
Streamline Sales and Improve Customer Relations Through CRM
The primary purpose of incorporating AI into a business is often to streamline sales processes. Customer relationship management ( CRM ) solutions with AI integrations capture customer data through various interactions and communication channels. In other words, the technology can collect on and offline sales information, email messages, phone calls, and reactions and comments on social networks to automate and favor sales processes.
This knowledge allows you to manage interactions with captured and potential customers and schedule person-to-person contacts to close the sale under critical circumstances. To top it off, AI can evaluate customer sentiment on social media posts, recorded conversions, and feedback across any channel.
Marketing Automation
Artificial Intelligence-supported marketing increases efficiency and effectiveness in this area by focusing efforts on the right customers. AI solutions help manage marketing activities through various strategies, such as email marketing, social media marketing and positioning supported by SEO or SEM.
In this sense, the technology we analyzed automates bids for paid slots and tracks marketing investment. But in addition, it is excellent support for content marketing. In this regard, AI is a resource often used to create content from data collected about audiences to offer them personalized, valuable and relevant content.
In this sense, there are already artificial intelligence tools capable of helping marketing teams to produce specific content. Even SEO -oriented AI automates keyword research, link building, and other time- and effort-intensive tasks.
Customer Support Via Chatbot
At this time, the controversy over the possible dehumanization of the customer relationship is minimized thanks to the effectiveness of AI chatbots. This resource can solve common user problems and connect with specialized personnel only when necessary. According to recent studies, customers increasingly prefer an interaction with brands that allows them to solve problems through intuitive solutions.
Optimize HR Management
Human resource management through Artificial Intelligence is undergoing exciting development. Currently, procedures such as payroll, contractual benefits and even training programming are carried out with the intervention of AI solutions. Furthermore, the personnel selection processes are very agile and reliable with the support of this resource. In the same way, by analyzing communication in different media, it is possible to analyze the state of mind of team members and predict whether they will leave the company. This allows the HR team to spend time on other tasks that improve the employee experience.
Greater Efficiency in Production Processes
AI integrations in ERP software automate most of the business practices related to the operation and productivity of companies. In the same way, these resources centralize and facilitate the data of each area: production, suppliers, logistics, finances, purchases, etc. With this, they help optimize and improve management and decision-making processes.