By Nathan Wisniewski

I recently had the pleasure of joining Rohit on the Vector Art Podcast to talk about how SMEs Can Grow Smarter Using Technology to streamline operations and drive real growth. If you missed it, you can listen in here:

• YouTube
• Spotify
• LinkedIn

Here’s a summary of the key insights I shared, plus why working with an experienced partner can make all the difference.

The Biggest Challenges for SMEs Today

Most SMEs I meet are still running their business on spreadsheets or disconnected tools. That’s fine at first, but as you grow, it starts to hold you back. The main pain points I see:

• Lack of visibility: Teams in sales, ops, warehouse, and finance all work in silos.
• Knowledge stuck with individuals: If someone’s off sick, nobody else knows where the data is.
• Slow customer response: Manual admin eats up hours every week.
• Risk of errors: Re-keying data means mistakes and missed opportunities.

Tech can solve these, but only with the right approach.

Getting More from What You Already Have

Many businesses already have systems in place, but aren’t making the most of them. I’ve lost count of the “Can my system do this?” moments where the answer is yes, but nobody asked! My advice:

• Talk to your provider: You’re probably paying for features you’re not using.
• Ask questions: Providers want you to get value from your investment.

Automation & Integration: Buzzwords That Actually Work

Automation can save time and reduce errors, but only if your manual processes are solid first. Most modern systems have open APIs or standardised databases, so they can “talk” to each other via tools like Make, Zapier, or n8n.

Integration philosophy:

• One system doesn’t have to do everything.
• Use best-in-class tools for each area CRM, accounting, production, and connect them.

eCommerce & ERP: Getting the Connection Right

Scaling online? Make sure your eCommerce platform integrates cleanly with your ERP or CRM. Critical data to sync:

• Product, customer, order, and stock data
• Support for product variations and artwork uploads (for print/promo)
• Tax management, payment providers, delivery logistics, and (if needed) punchout capability

Tip: Map your whole workflow before choosing a system.

The Future: AI & Beyond

AI isn’t just about chatbots. Integrated into your ERP, it can:

• Analyse customer data and suggest new products
• Flag operational inefficiencies
• Automate quoting and invoice processing

Future-ready businesses:

• Keep data clean
• Choose systems that can adapt and integrate
• Stay open to new ideas

Why Work With Me?

I’ve spent 15+ years helping SMEs move beyond spreadsheets and manual admin. Every project is personally managed no hand-off to juniors, and advice is always practical, honest, and tailored to your business.

If you want to grow smarter, let’s talk about how the right tech can transform your operations.

Ready to streamline your business?

Contact me today or connect on LinkedIn.