The right software is the backbone of your business – software refers to any and all technology programs that operate on your computers. It’s important to find the right one for your business; not only do you need it to do the job, but it needs to be the right fit for you and how your company works.
The important thing to remember when shopping for software is not to jump the gun and go with the first one that sounds good. As with anything you need to shop around and discuss your business with the different companies. Some programs can be customized, and some just won’t work well. An image based program isn’t the best fit for an accounting firm, for example, but would be perfect for a graphic design studio.
Using a comparison site to find things such as IT asset management software will help you narrow down the list of potentials, but don’t go for the top result straight away. Contact a few, and you may find that one of the others can offer you a more appropriate package that will best benefit your business.
Any software you use needs to be able to integrate into your life, and your office, with ease. You don’t want you to lose precious work hours because your team needs to spend days training on a new program. If you think that it may take time to adjust, then perhaps roll it out gradually, by introducing it to one department at a time, or start at management level and then work down the ranks.
It also needs to work with any other programs your team uses. You don’t want the link broken between files or projects, or anything getting lost in hyperspace because one program isn’t compatible with another.
If you’re not a technology expert, there is no shame in asking for the advice of someone who is. If you have an in-house IT person – then perfect; they already know the pulse of the company, how it works and what it needs. If not, then hire a freelancer to come in and have a detailed look at the way everything works and your prospective list.
They will also be more up-to-date on tech news and will know which companies to avoid, which is growing in success and who are the old reliables you can trust.
The same as if you were buying a new phone or a car, you want to check out the reviews for each company. They may look fancy and shiny on the face, but look at the reputation they have gained through similar businesses, keep an eye on their track records as well – you don’t want to start using a program that is lovely but doesn’t get you the results you need.
