December is not too late to begin your 2026 tech stack preparation. Many companies use this month to review their systems, clean up data, and plan improvements that will set them up for a strong Q1.
In fact, December is one of the most important months of the year. The work you do now sets the tone for Q1 and determines how quickly your company can move when the new year begins. You do not need to rebuild your entire tech stack before January. You only need to take a few smart steps that position your business for faster execution, stronger revenue visibility, and healthier operations in 2026.
Here is how organizations can make meaningful progress in December, even with limited time, and how Rithom Consulting can help.
1. Start With a Quick Evaluation of Your Current Systems
When leaders start their 2026 tech stack preparation, the first step is understanding what is and is not working. This does not require a long workshop or a technology overhaul. A simple evaluation can reveal where the biggest gains are waiting.
Ask yourself and your teams:
- Are we duplicating work across multiple systems?
- Do Sales, Marketing, and Operations see the same data?
- Is important information still tracked in spreadsheets or side systems?
- Are we unable to automate processes because of disconnected tools?
- Are we paying for products that are not being used?
A rapid diagnostic in December helps you understand whether your existing CRM, ERP, marketing tools, service tools, and integrations will support your 2026 goals.
Rithom often uncovers quick wins for companies in this early review, especially where Salesforce, Odoo, HubSpot, Zoho, or custom tools are working in isolation rather than together.
2. 2026 Tech Stack Preparation Priorities
Organizations do not need a massive digital transformation to begin the year strong. Instead, leaders should identify two to three meaningful improvements that will remove friction right away.
Examples include:
- Cleaning and organizing customer data to create a single source of truth
- Consolidating tools or replacing outdated systems
- Connecting platforms so teams stop manually re-entering information
- Introducing a CRM or ERP foundation for better visibility
- Planning a CPQ to Revenue Cloud transition
- Building simple automation that saves hours each week
These focused priorities give your teams momentum and give leadership a clear roadmap without overwhelming internal resources.
3. Resolve Data Problems Before They Affect 2026 Reporting
Bad data is costly, and it becomes even more visible at year-end when companies are building forecasts, preparing budgets, and reviewing sales performance.
December is the perfect time to get ahead of issues like:
- Duplicates
- Incomplete records
- Inconsistent picklists
- Data stored across multiple systems
- Manual spreadsheets that hide risk
A clean data foundation is one of the fastest ways to improve accuracy in Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, Revenue Operations, and Finance.
Rithom performs data health checks for CRM and ERP environments and helps teams remove blockers so they enter Q1 with confidence.
4. Fix Key Integrations That Slow Down Operations
The quickest way to improve efficiency in Q1 is to eliminate unnecessary manual work.
Often, disconnected systems are the source of:
- Double entry
- Lost information
- Delayed invoicing
- Incomplete customer records
- Frustrated teams
This is where integration becomes a powerful accelerator. Whether you use Salesforce, Odoo, HubSpot, or a combination of platforms, integrations give your teams real-time visibility without toggling between tools.
Rithom specializes in integrations that immediately reduce operational friction. Recent examples include syncing Salesforce with cieTrade, FastField, LMS platforms, Fishbowl, QuickBooks, and other niche tools that originally lacked APIs. These types of projects create lasting time savings and operational clarity.
5. Build Your 2026 Roadmap Now So You Can Hit the Ground Running
December is not about doing all the work; it is about setting direction.
A strong roadmap should answer:
- What problems do we need to solve first?
- What systems will support the next stage of growth?
- What should we implement early in the year versus later?
- When should we re-evaluate CRMs, ERPs, integrations, or AI tools?
- Where do we need outside expertise?
A clear roadmap allows internal and external teams to align quickly when January arrives.
Rithom helps companies build technology roadmaps that take into account current systems, strategic goals, budget constraints, and growth opportunities.
6. Take Advantage of December’s “Quiet Window”
Many businesses slow down in the second half of December. This creates a rare opportunity.
Leaders can use this time to:
- Review proposals
- Meet with vendors
- Ask questions without feeling rushed
- Plan timelines for Q1
- Lay the groundwork so projects begin as soon as teams return in January
This is one of the best periods of the year to make informed decisions.
7. You Do Not Need to Do It Alone
Technology decisions can feel overwhelming, especially when multiple systems, vendors, and internal stakeholders are involved. Rithom’s consulting and implementation teams help simplify these decisions and guide companies toward platforms, integrations, and data strategies that match their long-term goals.
Companies partner with Rithom because we bring:
- Strategic ecosystem guidance
- Deep expertise across Salesforce, Odoo, HubSpot, Zoho and SuiteMaster
- Experience integrating niche industry tools
- A consultative approach that helps teams make confident decisions
- Flexible engagement models that meet organizations where they are
The goal is not complexity. The goal is clarity.
Final Thoughts
Even though the year is almost over, December is still one of the most valuable months to prepare your business for 2026. You do not need to implement everything before Q1. You only need to gain clarity, set priorities, and build a roadmap that positions your team for success.
Small steps taken now will create momentum in January and help you make smarter technology decisions throughout the year.
If you want support evaluating your systems, reviewing your tech stack, or planning your 2026 roadmap, the Rithom team is here to help.
Ready to start 2026 with a clear technology plan?
Schedule a complimentary Tech Stack Review to identify quick wins and build a roadmap for the new year.