When should we buy software? The answer is really simple; you need software when the cost to continue on your current path exceeds the price of purchasing new software or you’re simply not satisfied with your current software solution.
As easy as it sounds, what is it that defines your current cost and satisfaction?
Assessing the true costs of business
When your staff is handwriting tickets at the counter, you may see the cost as nothing more than the paper and pen your employees use. But in reality, it’s important to factor in the time it takes your staff to accomplish these tasks by hand versus a computerized system with a barcode scanner and integrated credit card reader. This is, of course, because of the salary you pay your staff for their time. Or what about the cost associated with an office person who is still handwriting and recording paper checks instead of using software to electronically recordand print them in bulk on the office printer?
For that matter, are you doing all the business reporting in Excel by hand? Spreadsheets are great but tracking inventory, sales reports, and purchase orders is very time consuming and makes things harder than they have to be. And, since you’re performing repetitive tasks and applying similar formulas, the likelihood of making careless errors abounds. Just think of it, a single transposed number can wreak havoc on such a spreadsheet, causing hours of extra work and headaches.
Search for solutions
If you are planning to grow your business, will your current processes and procedures support that growth without negatively impacting your staff and customers? Implementing new software may help reduce or eliminate stressors contributed to business growth.
A business unhappy with one software program or support may want to migrate to another solution. Contacting current users of the software you’re considering a switch to is a good idea. Make a list of must-have features and ensure the new software solution can accommodate your needs. Be sure to inquire about the cost of training and support services to get the software up and running and for its continued maintenance.
Prior to researching solutions, it is important for business owners and managers to consider what they currently have and what they would like a new system to be able to do. Implementing software can improve efficiency, accuracy and save company expenses in the long run. Manage all business processes from sales to purchasing with the right software management solution — one that can collect your data in one system and provide you accessibility anywhere, anytime.
Learn more about different software solutions for your business.
