Is it important to try technology before you buy...?

I asked...The room of small business owners and managers were nodding.  Quite simply the answer is, Yes!   In today's modern world, customers want to touch, feel, see...and most importantly believe in their purchase.

You wouldn't buy a car without sitting in the driving seat and seeing if your hands suit the steering wheel.  You wouldn't rent office space without checking that all the facilities work (and that your favourite mug looks good on that desk ;)) So why should you buy any technology without giving it a spin first.

For small business owners, managers, IT teams, employees etc, it is critical to test that the technology you have been eyeing up for the last few months does exactly what you expect it to do.  Whether you're a one man band or 250 employee strong business, and whether its a 30 day, 60 day or 90 day trial, this allows you to make an executive decision based on your experience, not to mention a time period where you pay nothing for your technology - who doesn't love a freebie?

A wide range of Microsoft products and services offer free trials, evaluation periods and even virtual labs where you can work with them first-hand. In each case, these options help ensure that the solution that you choose works for you and your business.

When testing technology there are a few things you should think about to help make a good decision:

• Does it allow you to work anywhere?
• Does it help safeguard your business?
• Will it help grow your business?
• Does it enable you to easily connect with customers?

If all the answers to the above are yes, than you can safely make a decision that will future proof your business.