Macro Systems Blog

You’ve probably heard the saying "work smarter, not harder". It usually describes the use of technology to bring time-and-money-saving advantages to the table that human workers can’t produce on their own. As good as technology is at enhancing productivity and efficiency, it only works if you are able to get your employees engaged. 

While the allure of shiny new gadgets and cutting-edge software is undeniable, the real magic happens when these investments directly translate into tangible productivity gains, transforming how we work and propelling businesses forward.

The point-of-sale (POS) system has evolved from a simple cash register into the dynamic hub of your business operations. Beyond that satisfying sound it makes (if you turn on that feature) it now handles inventory, customer data, and more. Your POS is working harder than ever, but is it working smarter for you? As a mission-critical system, choosing or upgrading your POS isn't just about processing payments; it's about future-proofing your success.

Video conferencing has become a mandatory tool for businesses, especially after the rise of remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It used to feel like something from science fiction, but now it's a key part of how we work together. Video meetings are not only more reliable and easy to use, but they've also become a lot more accessible, helping people connect no matter where they are. Listed below is a look at some of the ways video conferencing has improved:

Businesses can’t ignore the advantages that technology can bring to their business.  One of the primary benefits is the ability to automate routine tasks, which saves time and reduces the risk of human error. By utilizing technologies that work to make processes more efficient, small businesses can operate more efficiently and focus on strategic initiatives that drive growth. Listed below are four of the most valuable technologies small businesses can utilize today.

Projects are a big part of the small business model. Whether they are projects to enhance organizational efficiency or productivity or projects that are completed for customers, strong project management is extremely imperative. Scope creep happens when a project becomes less efficient because the demands of the project keep changing. Listed below: a definition of scope creep and how to prevent it from being a problem for your business.

There's a lot of pressure on (usually understaffed and overworked) internal IT teams to manage and maintain increasingly complex systems. For businesses noticing signs of strain on their IT staff, seeking assistance from managed services providers (MSPs) could be the remedy. Listed below are tips an MSP like us can use to alleviate the pressure and contribute to workplace wellness for all.

There are several reasons to use a form to collect data for your organization: from customer impressions and service requirements to employee feedback about internal matters as a means of collaborative decision-making. The trouble comes when it is time to compile all the responses… unless you know how to use the tools at your disposal.

Listed below is the process of creating a form that self-populates a spreadsheet using Google’s toolkit.

Collaboration is a vital component of any business, and in the modern remote and hybrid work environment, it’s even more imperative than ever. Technology can facilitate collaboration in amazing ways, particularly for growing businesses that are quickly outgrowing their current accommodations.

We write a lot about the cloud, and for good reason: it is one of the most utilized and valuable technologies available to business. The cloud plays a key role in elevating mobile productivity, providing diverse services and features that empower users to access, collaborate, and efficiently execute tasks. Listed below are three critical ways in which the cloud contributes to mobile productivity.

Microsoft created the Teams platform with the aim of enhancing collaboration among individuals. The rise of remote collaboration has been ongoing for several years, and the COVID-19 pandemic solidified its place as a standard feature in business operations. Recently, Microsoft has introduced several enhancements to the platform to further augment its functionality.

Small businesses increasingly rely on technology to drive their operations. If your business is considering allocating its capital wisely, the following digital tools can significantly contribute to achieving both short-term and long-term goals.

How does your organization handle communication? Does it struggle to properly use its technology and collaboration tools? If so, we have some tips that can help you avoid the most common collaboration mistakes, especially those related to data security. Read on to learn how you can ensure you’re not putting your data at risk needlessly with inappropriate collaboration security mistakes.

For a business to be successful, you need to stay on point. From managing projects to enhancing communication and automating tasks, technology has become an indispensable asset for businesses of all sizes. Listed below is a look at some of the best tools to help a business be the best business it can be.

It’s critical that you are able to communicate with the people you work for, with, and over; a large part of this is ensuring that your points are heard. Listed below are a few strategies and techniques that can help you ensure that those around you are apt to listen to what you have to say.

With collaboration remaining a vital component of any successful business, it’s imperative to foster productivity and innovation through strategic implementation of technology solutions designed for this express purpose. Listed below is a discussion of some of the aspects of collaboration you need to know to do it more effectively, as well as technology that facilitates this process.

As the boss, you’re in a position to offload many of your business’ responsibilities to your employees. That’s more or less why you have employees in the first place. That being said, there’s more than one way that you can delegate tasks, depending on your personal style of management and the work style of each of your employees.

Meetings are a common hold-up for getting things done in the office, an idea that is certainly not unfounded. Research supports the premise that meetings impact productivity. Consider what the numbers say and how you can work to ensure meetings don’t influence your organization’s productivity in a negative way.

Our blog last week covered how patience is an imperative part of the most successful and productive employees’ arsenal. This week, we want to cover how you can help your employees be more patient. If you know someone in your office who could take things down a notch, this is just the blog for you with four suggestions that might do the trick.

Business has changed dramatically over the last ten years. Costs have been rising. That means that businesses, just like everyone else, have to pay more for everything. This creates a situation where they may need to scale back on some things and not be as aggressive as was once possible. One way that most businesses can get around this is by investing in collaboration. Fortunately for them, technology has been getting more collaborative. Listed below is a look at three ways collaboration has found its way into business.

Saving on capital expenditures is the successful business owner’s superpower. A lot of the strategic cost-cutting that is being done these days is via collaboration. When you increase the productivity of your staff, you can do more with less. Let’s look at some of the tools being used by successful organizations to enhance their productivity.