Technology continues to be the key for small and midsize businesses (SMB) hoping to grow securely in 2026. Your business needs to be able to “punch above its weight” if you want to compete in the digital age, and new technology innovations can help.
SMBs that prepare to leverage evolving and emerging IT tools early gain a measurable advantage over those that do not. This article will detail some technologies that are gaining traction to help you plan smarter investments and get your business ready for the future.
Edge-first architecture
Edge-first architecture is moving from niche use cases into the mainstream. Instead of sending all data back to centralized cloud environments, edge computing processes data closer to where it’s created and used (i.e., local devices, sensors, or servers). As this technology becomes more available and affordable for SMBs, you can get faster response times, reduced latency, and improved performance for real-time applications.
Edge-first models are especially valuable if your SMB uses IoT devices or point-of-sale systems, or operates remote locations that rely on consistent uptime. Local processing keeps operations running even when connectivity is limited, and reduces bandwidth costs by minimizing the amount of data sent to the cloud.
But implementing this technology is not as easy as flipping a switch; you need a compatible network architecture. Contact your cloud services or managed IT services provider (MSP) to learn how to lay the groundwork for an edge-first infrastructure.
Infrastructure as Code
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) continues to gain popularity as businesses seek consistency and scalability in their IT environments. IaC allows you to define servers, networks, and configurations using code rather than manual setup, which reduces human error and speeds up deployments.
This is great for high-tech businesses, but even for the average SMB, IaC improves reliability and disaster recovery. If systems fail or need to be rebuilt, environments can be recreated quickly using predefined code templates. It also supports hybrid and cloud-first strategies by making resilient IT infrastructure portable across platforms.
Special expertise is required to implement IaC, but at this stage in the game, there are many qualified service providers who can assist you. Check for an MSP with the relevant experience if you want to leverage this tech in 2026.
Mandatory sustainable IT
Sustainable IT is no longer optional. Regulatory pressure, customer expectations, and rising energy costs are pushing businesses to adopt greener technology practices. For businesses of all sizes and sectors, sustainability will be a core requirement of IT planning rather than a nice to have.
Sustainable IT includes:
- Energy-efficient hardware, from servers to workstations
- Software-optimized cloud usage
- Smarter life cycle management of devices to prevent waste
- Virtualization of hardware to reduce power use
- Carbon impact monitoring
- Partnering with green data centers
Sustainable IT supports cost controls by minimizing energy consumption and extending IT lifespans so you aren’t constantly buying replacements. Beyond these direct benefits, sustainable companies are looked at more favorably by potential customers, business partners, and even regulators, improving profits and preventing bad PR.
Agentic AI tools
Agentic AI tools represent a shift from passive AI assistance to proactive, goal-driven systems that can perform tasks without human input. These tasks include:
- Analyzing data and generate relevant reports
- Making targeted recommendations based on collected data
- Executing operational and maintenance tasks based on observations instead of instructions
This may sound overly complex, but simply put, agentic AI helps SMBs automate repetitive tasks such as ticket triage, system monitoring, and resource optimization. They can also forecast customer and market behavior, then provide actionable business intelligence and recommendations without the need to hire sales consultants.
When paired with strong governance and security controls, agentic AI reduces workload while improving the collection and leverage of business data. These tools are more accessible and affordable than they have ever been, so most MSPs can help small businesses gain these capabilities once reserved for large enterprises.Ready to set your business up for success in 2026? Contact Liberty Center One, and our knowledgeable IT consultants will create a customized plan that helps your company leverage emerging technologies for a more secure and successful new year.