For your business to grow and maximise its potential, at some point you will need to invest in new software solutions. For full potential to be realised the software will need to align with how your business operates, enabling you to streamline processes, ensure customer satisfaction and reduce risk.
There are many different types of software that can help businesses streamline their operations and the general running of the business. Deciding which one is best for your business will often depend on the size of the organisation and the particular needs of the business.
A few types of software that are commonly used in businesses are:
- Accounting Software
- Smart Facility Management
- Risk Management
- Task setting & management
- Payroll
So how do you decide what software your business needs?
It can be incredibly difficult to navigate what software to choose for your business as there are so many options available.
The first place to start is to assess what you are currently using. Sometimes the most difficult step, you don’t have to accept what you have now is the only way to work simply because you are used to it. Being open-minded will bring new opportunities that will boost your business performance.
Think ahead of what you want out of your business going forward so you can future-proof the organisation, helping you to stay competitive in a fast-moving world. What software may you need in the future?
Below are a few tips to help you decide what software will be right for your business.
1. Look at existing software & processes
The first step is to look at your existing software and processes. Are your current processes streamlined and clearly documented? With clearly defined processes the right software will help enhance productivity, without this you may discover weaknesses in your business operations.
It is important for you to have a clear idea of what it is your business needs. Make a list of the pros and cons of your current software, from this make a list of what you require from your new software. A good idea would be to categorise the requirements into lists like ‘unconditional’ and ‘nice to have’. This wish list will help you throughout the decision process.
Because all members of your organisation will be impacted by the new software including managers, IT, employees and your customers, ensure that all members that need to be are involved in deciding what software you choose.
Every member of your organisation that will be impacted by the new software should be involved throughout the decision-making process. Ask co-workers that will be using the software any features that they would like and how they will use them. Additionally, there are also some external people you should consult. Although customers wouldn’t be included in the decision-making as such they should be considered for all business decisions. Ensure that customers are informed of any updates when needed.
The importance of first assessing what it is your business actually needs is huge, you need to choose a software that fits in with your business and the way your business works. For example, if you have lots of risk assessments for your facility that need regular updating, software with a Risk Management app like OpsPal would be useful.
2. Budget
Money matters, therefore it is useful to set a budget at this stage. Make sure you consider not only the price of software but also the implementation, training, support, upgrade costs, and any hardware that may be needed. OpsPal can be used on non-specialised hardware, such as a tablet or smartphone and the internet. This will save a lot of money and has to be considered.
3. Research
It is important to take the time to research your options. Be sure to do this ahead of any current software subscriptions finishing 
so you aren’t pressured to make a decision quickly. Even in a digital world word of mouth is important, so speak to peers in your industry to see what software they are using. Have a look at reviews of software you like the look of. It can be a big investment so take the time to understand the way the application works before making decisions.
Looking at all options that are available means you will be able to justify your decisions with confidence. You’re more likely to make the right decision if it is better researched, and therefore less likely to switch again in future.
4. Seek Guidance
When you are wanting to introduce anything new to your business it is useful to seek guidance. This could be speaking to people from other companies in your industry, or your IT department for any suggestions. Speaking to the companies who provide the software, they are best placed to explain the details of the tool to you. It is worth noting a company that has experience in serving clients in your industry will have a deeper understanding of your business needs and will be better placed to advise you on the best solution.
It’s important to remember that most technology experts will advise against choosing the cheapest option purely based on price. Although you will of course save money in the short term, in the long term it could damage your productivity and functionality, impacting the service you can provide to your customers. Rather than concentrating on money think about the best and most appropriate tool for your company, with the aim being to boost productivity and effectiveness. If software can streamline processes then this in turn can be the most cost-effective option. OpsPal would be able to advise you on the cost of our software but also the value of the product.
Once you have shortlisted your software choices, research further by taking part in a demo or trial of the software. During this time you will get a better idea of what tool is right for your business.
1. Simplicity
For software to be cost-effective and successful for an organisation, it needs to be undertaken by all staff. When looking for software to help your business it needs to be easy to use and adopt for everyone.
2. Support
Before you decide what software you choose make sure the company selling to you has adequate support after you have purchased it. If you do have any problems you don’t want to spend hours trying to sort them out. For example, OpsPal has a full easy-to-access online knowledge base with support. OpsPal is always at the end of the phone for advice and support.
Ensure there is ample training provided for your new software, it is vital for your team to be able to use the new systems that you put in place.
What’s next?
Choosing the right software for your business is a big task, we here at OpsPal can help you decide what’s best for your business. For guidance about our smart facility management software get in touch at contact@opspal.com
