Finding the software solution that’s right for you and your business
We know that no two business are the same, whether small and perfectly formed, or medium and growing, the requirements of one business will always differ from another, and finding the right solution can be like finding a needle in a haystack.
Implementing a business management software (BMS) will initially take time and resources, but once you’ve chosen and integrated the right solution into your business you’ll wonder how you ever did without one!
So, how do you start? What questions should you be asking? How do you know which solution is right?
In this blog post, we’ll address the key questions that you, as the Head Honcho, need to ask yourself when selecting the right software solution for you and your business.
Locating the issue
You may not necessarily be looking for a solution to a problem, but you may have a slight chink in the armour of an otherwise smooth-running process, one of the first steps is to identify the issue. It could be anything from a process that would be better automated, to forecasting and planning further ahead than current tools allow.
Assessing the current situation
It’s key that at the beginning of your search for a BMS, after locating any concerns and problems, you assess the current processes in place within the business.
It is vital that all processes are looked at before choosing the right solution, you may find gaps or problems with your current processes that you don’t want to transfer to the new system. Talk to your teams about their processes, discuss what works and what they feel needs improving, after all they are the people implementing them every day, it’s crucial it works for them. Questions to think about could include; How do you track your daily activities? Who manages all your business information? Who has access to that information? It’s important to access every aspects of your current workflow.
Evaluate what you need
Companies such as D365 Experts provide solutions that are built around our client's needs. A pivotal question when selecting a software solution should be – does it align with my business needs? Take this time to access which parts of the business can be managed with the new piece of software and what problems from your earlier list it can solve. You should end up with some detailed comparisons that will help make your selecting process easier.
Are there further requirements?
As well as your current requirements, you need to think about what other parts of the business need integration, now and in the future. For example, Microsoft Business Central can integrate seamlessly with other Microsoft products such as Office 365. Integrating Office 365 automations help provide a seamless sales and customer service cycle throughout your whole business.
Include team feedback
It’s important when investing in a new solution that you included and discuss feedback between your team. After all, they’re the ones that will be using it every day. If you go ahead and select a solution that team members haven’t had the opportunity to share their views on, who could face a potential pushback further down the line.
Have a budget in mind
In conjunction with the above, you need to think about how much you’re willing to spend. With business management solutions such as Microsoft Business Central, pricing is often available in either one upfront cost or smaller monthly payments. The beauty of this being there’s often a package to suit both your budget and your needs.