The sole justification why any business owner wouldn’t run a virtual/digital machine on their business website is that they don’t wholly understand what the machine is, or what it can do for their business.
Try to imagine a business that wouldn’t be enabled by the use of a virtual machine, or may even be affected by running one. And at the end of this post, you’ll have possibly changed your stand.
‘But wait a minute, my website is just for a small business.’ That doesn’t matter. You still require a digital machine.
Before handling why running a digital machine is important, let’s look at how to run the machine on your business website.
How to Run a Virtual Machine on Business Website
The retail business industry is certainly big; in the US alone, there are 3.8 million retail businesses, providing 42 million jobs and a $2.6 trillion total GDP impact. It employs more Americans, as compared to any other industry. Running a prosperous retail business in such an expansive and competitive industry needs excellent organization and management with the assistance of instinctive technology like a virtual machine.
Now here’s how to run a virtual/digital machine:
Once you decide on a DM/VM app and get it installed, setting up a DM/VM is quite simple. We are going to go through the basic procedure in VirtualBox, although most apps build a DM in the same manner.
Open up your DM/VM app then click on the button to create a new Digital machine.
You’ll be led through the procedure by a wizard that first asks which OS intends to install. In case you type the name of the OS in the “Name” box, the app will automatically assign the type and version for the OS. Just in case it doesn’t or it guesses wrong, you can select the items yourself from the dropdown menus. Then, click on “Next.”
Depending on the OS you choose to install, the wizard will preselect some default settings for you. But you can always fix them over the next screens.
You’ll then be asked how much memory to allocate to the DM. In case you don’t want the default, you can change it here. Otherwise, just click on the “Next.” And don’t have to worry, because you’ll still be able to change that later if you have to.
The wizard will likewise create the virtual hard disk file to be used by the Digital Machine. Unless you already have a virtual hard disk file you need to use, simply select the option to create a new one.
Moreover, you’ll be asked whether to create a dynamically allocated or fixed-size disk. With a dynamically allocated disk, you’ll have to set a maximum disk size, but the file will only grow to that size as it has to. With a fixed size disk, you’ll also have to set the size, although the file created will be that large from its creation.
Creating fixed-size disks is highly recommended because, while they occupy a little more disk space, they also perform better. Making your DM/VM feel a bit more responsive. Additionally, you’ll know how much disk space you have used and you won’t get shocked when your DM files start growing.
You will then be able to set the virtual disk’s size. Here you are allowed to go with the default setting or switch the size to suit your needs. Immediately you click on “Create,” the virtual hard disk is created.
Subsequently, you will be taken back to the main DM/VM app window, where your new DM should show up. Ensure the installation media you desire is available to the machine. Always, this involves pointing to an ISO file or real disc through the DM/VM’s settings. You can then run your new DM/VM by selecting it and clicking on “Start.”
Why is Website Services Automation Important?
Automation of website services comes in handy because it:
Reduces Human Mistakes
When people perform mundane assignments over and over again, errors are bound to arise. It might be work orders not being accurately updated, contractor names being misspelled, or inaccurate budgeting information. All these mistakes can be expensive for the business team.
With service automation, you can simply incorporate your existing processes and data into a secured dashboard. The technical team can set up the service automation platform so that it simply feeds in your existing data, Making sure that nothing is lost.
Then, you can access all your data from one cloud-based dashboard and FMs can enter facility maintenance requests directly into the system at any given location, and work orders are accurately routed to the appropriate contractor.
Better Visibility In Spend And Reporting Insights
Service automation technology can offer retail business managers insight into impactful, visual-based analytics prepared for historical, current, and predictive views of business operations. Simple access to important insights is particularly helpful for retail companies with multiple locations, as reports can present information from all facilities in one dashboard.
Retail business managers can use reporting insights to get an understanding of their service spend across all trades, categories, locations, and contractors. Then, retail FMs can simply answer questions and make effective, data-backed decisions targeted at reducing FM spend.
For instance, a service automation platform could evaluate a retail location’s spending over the past six months and realize that a big amount of money is being delegated to HVAC maintenance, with the least outcomes. The service automation platform could then offer these insights to the retail FM, who can now go about utilizing a more cost-effective solution. This service automation feature was used by one global retailer who later experienced a 30% reduction in facilities spentd.
Ensures Compliance
Making sure that contractors are compliant is a crucial way to mitigate operational risk because compliant contractors are always up-to-date on their certifications. Service automation gives tools that retail facilities managers can utilize to help them manage contractor compliance. Including, tracking credentials, financial status, certification expirations, insurances and licenses, and much more.
With service automation, retail FMs can view contractor profiles, download their W9 and sales tax reports, have a look at their rates, and see their insurance information. Retail facilities managers can also be able to view the compliance statuses of service providers and send notifications to those who aren’t compliant. Having a quick way to ensure contractor compliance saves time, which busy retail facilities managers always lack.
Increases Operational Efficiency
Service automation simplifies processes, allowing for time and cost savings in many ways. Firstly, service automation takes up duties that once needed daily attention, such as work order management, off of retail facilities managers’ desks.
By automating regular tasks and establishing more efficient workflows, facilities managers can concentrate on those tasks that truly require their attention, directly influencing the operational effectiveness of the team.
Preserves the Brand
Retail businesses bank heavily on brand uptime. Meaning brand appearance and experience are incredibly crucial to retail customers. The state of retail facilities has a big impact on branding, helping to form how consumers perceive brands and directly influencing their shopping experience. Therefore, retail FMs must have all the tools necessary to help them keep retail facilities in optimal condition.
By standardizing and automating work order processes and providing planned maintenance scheduling features, service automation helps facilities managers make sure that retail spaces are in the best form. Hence, service automation supports customer experiences, establishing loyal customers and strengthening brands.
Lowers Costs
Utilizing service automation can help your company reduce overall costs since you won’t be paying for the services of extra employees. To do administrative tasks such as doing manual work orders and invoices. With less time spent on entering data and processing, facilities staff can spend more time doing work that will enable them to achieve internal goals. You’ll be using limited resources to run a leaner and more efficient team.
Improves Customer Satisfaction
Given an automated work order system, facilities can ensure that pressing requests are completed quickly. Facilities managers will get automatic alerts throughout the process concerning the progress of the work order – for instance, whether or not a contractor has been assigned to it, if the work is in progress, or maybe it has been completed.
Service automation enables easier communication between facilities staff which translates to satisfied customers. It makes sure that the work is done in a high-quality and timely way and customers don’t encounter any interruptions that would entail their in-store experience.
When employees feel freed of mundane tasks and have modern tools such as digital machines at their disposal, team morale improves leading to higher-quality work and an increase in satisfied customers.
Now, Here’s the Good News
Like with any pain point, there is always a way to solve it. If you keenly follow and implement the contents of this post, you’ll be able to personally run a virtual/digital machine on your website. And enjoy the benefits that come with it.
Just in case you can’t do it yourself, don’t worry. You can always get this done by the professionals in the field.
