Last week I wrote to you extolling the virtues of IT - We discussed how when used properly IT can help you reduce your costs, increase sales and boost the productivity of your team. Now a number of you contacted me requesting further information as to how IT can indeed help them make more money - people like Jessica Faraday of Finger Foods Ltd who wanted to use the Internet as a way of increasing sales. Their new website www.fingerfoods-online.co.uk has since been launched and has already generated four new bookings in just under 2 weeks! Now that's the power of technology for you!
So back to today's subject - Off the shelf or Do It Yourself?
Carrying on from our theme of using technology to boost your business, I wanted to bring your attention a new trend in business today.
Some of you may be familiar with Goldmine, Sage, Sales Logic, Alpha Law and Eclipse Legal - If you already use these types of software you know how well they simplify otherwise tedious processes. Many of these "off the shelf" (OTS)software are designed to tackle many main stream processes such as invoicing, quotations, payroll etc. Sage for example processes your payroll, run full financial reports or pays your suppliers with just one click.
To a large extent the "one size fits all" approach of the OTS software packages meets the requirements of most businesses; but there are certain drawbacks. This includes the inability to customise the software fully to your business; licensing costs; upgrades (which need to be paid for) and lack of support. In many instances the OTS software may not tackle processes you need them to tackle. So if you do find OTS software not relevant for business what other options do you have?
BESPOKE SOFTWARE!
If you cannot find software that fits your business needs completely or you need to automate a process then why not get your own software designed?
Think about it. What processes today in your business takes up most of your time and if automated would eradicate unnecessarily human errors? It could be calculating quotes, sending sales letters, managing customer information or even logging staff competencies.
Our research into how businesses work has found that 99.9% of processes can be automated!
Let me give you some more ideas of types of software you can have developed:
- A Document Management Software - ideal for Legal Practices where all client information is stored in one central location.
- Print Management Software - ideal for Printing Companies. Past and present print jobs can be stored within the software allowing you and your clients to view their print jobs.
- Digital Asset Management Software - ideal for Marketing Agencies, web designers and Advertising Agencies to share media and brand assets across the organisation and with their clients.
- Staff Competency Software - ideal for Recruitment Agencies. No need to go through various CVs looking for the right applicant. Simply enter specific keywords and the software finds the right applicant for you.
- CRM Software - Ideal for Retail Businesses. Record your customers buying habits and spend frequency so you can target them with more tailored offers.
The list is endless and is limited only by your imagination.
I know what you are thinking. "Sounds good, but I bet it would cost me an arm and a leg". Look at the example I gave above for a CRM Software. We recently designed a similar software for a Beauty Salon and they paid just £149 for their own proprietary software!
The benefits of designing your own software include:
Automation reduces the time spent manually carrying out the process
Easier access to information
Get your quotes and invoices out to your customers quickly boosting cash-flow
Eradicates human errors and waste
Cost effective - you pay once for the software, no need to worry about yearly subscription or licensing costs and upgrades
The software is built around your business so it is easy for you and your team to understand and use
Better relations with your clients as you understand their requirements fully
Software Design has revolutionised the way many businesses work. If your business does not currently employ software to improve processes in all areas of the business you may be missing a trick.
A case study for you to read is at www.supremesystems.co.uk/client_law.html - this shows how we used Software Design to create a bespoke intranet site for a client.
I hope this has provided some food for thought. Why not see for yourself how easy it is to have your own software developed. Give me a call now on 0121 236 0065 or email me at angela.hart@supremesystems.co.uk and discuss your needs with me. You will be surprised at what the Techies can do.
Kind regards,
Angela Hart
Client Services Manager
Supreme Systems
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