Looking For a Business Management Software? Here are 4 Factors to Consider

When businesses expand, it gets difficult to handle things manually. It leads to wastage of time and resources. To avoid such issues, managers often opt for a business management software that is designed to keep the company running smoothly. These software have different modules such as HR, inventory and purchase, that help automate business processes and reduce the chances of any errors. To help you make an informed buying decision, the post discusses some factors you must consider before you put your money down. Take a look.

1. Scalability

Invest in a tool that has the ability to scale with your business. Make sure the software is scalable and can meet the expanding needs of your business as the organization grows. So, if you have major expansion plans for your company, but are using a dated software, start looking for a software that can cater to the expansion needs to your business. Make sure the provider offers updates and other service supports and can help you customize the software according to your business needs.  

2. Security

Data security is one of the biggest concerns of businesses today. To avoid data breach issues, look for a software that can track logged-in and logged-out users, and password hacking attempts. To avoid unauthorized access, use a software that offers digital signatures. The software must not allow the same person to both authorize transaction and release the payment. Look for a tool that can track users responsible for different transactions. Most importantly, opt for a software with scalable security features.

3. Ease of Use

Look for a software that has a simple interface and is easy to understand and use. To help users avoid confusion and save time, make sure the software has few icons on top of screens. Look for a Microsoft Office software, if your team members are already using an MS office suite. If the software is complex you will have to invest time and resources for training your employees to use it.

4. Cost        

There are two ways you can get a business automation software- 1. either you can buy the suite or 2. You can subscribe it.  If you go for the first option you get to own the software. If you go with the second option, you get the license to use the suite and the provider will offer regular updates and upgrades. To continue getting these and other service support benefits, you will have to pay a regular subscription fee. To determine which option is best for your business, consider the time for which you intend to use the software and compare the cost of one time purchase with the total subscription expense.

Conclusion  

Business management system software include various tools that ease the work of different teams managing different functions. When purchasing a tool, consider the factors discussed in the blog. Enquire about specific hardware or operating system requirements that you may need to run the software. Last, but not the least, make sure the provider offers comprehensive business automation software services and provides round the clock support.

Buying a Marketing Automation Software? Here Are 5 Factors to Consider

Marketing Automation is the use of software and web based services to perform repetitive marketing tasks that were earlier performed manually. Marketing automation, not only helps eliminate the monotony and make the marketing process more easy, but it also helps streamline. Not every marketing management software, however, is the same, which is why it is important that you know the finer lines before making a marketing automation tool buying decision. To help, the blog post discusses five factors that can help you make an informed decision.

1. Features

One of the most important things to consider is the features of a marketing management software. Choose a feature-rich software that is not only simple to use and administer, but also helps you scale your marketing needs. Keep in mind that your goal is to streamline the marketing processes and efficiently utilize the marketing resources. Look for basic features such as advertising management, planning and budgeting, campaign management, vendor management and activity management.

2. Integration Capabilities

If your business is to establish a cohesive marketing and sales process, you need to factor integration capabilities when choosing for a marketing automation tool. Most marketing automation solutions offer a seamless integration with CRM, other third party tools and even social platforms. Buying a marketing automation tool that integrates with your CRM not only helps in streamlining lead management, but also helps make sure that the existing workflows are not disrupted.

3. Marketing Needs

Every business is different from the other in some or other aspect, and so are their expectations from a marketing automation tool.  Though marketing automation tools on the market offer a few similar and basic features, make sure they are aligned to the needs of your marketing department. For that to happen, you need to adapt a data-driven approach to assess whether a marketing automation tool can streamline existing processes and practices.

4. Deployment and Transition Time

Though a marketing automation software simplifies and streamlines the existing processes, the transition requires time and can’t happen overnight. Deployment and transition time also play an essential role in deciding whether the software can deliver up to your expectations during the expected timelines. Choose a marketing automation tool that takes little time and technical expertise to setup or better, go for a software that can be deployed within seconds to use.

5. Pricing

Though you can easily get entry-level packages when purchasing a marketing management module; however, consider your current and projected marketing needs when choosing. Remember that your business will scale and making shifts to marketing automation can be challenging and costly. Choose a subscription plan depending on the number of users, number of contacts and number of domains you want to track to ensure the software doesn’t become an overhead.

Wrapping Up

After you buy a marketing automation tool, the job is only half done. The next challenge is to educate your employees about the importance of automation, especially the ones with little to no technical background who will be directly using the software. Conduct regular training sessions across departments that would help in getting them accustomed to the new software. After a period of training, get started and soon you will observe a sizable improvement in productivity and ROI.

6 Verticals You Can Streamline through Business Process Automation Services

Business process automation (BPA), has been around for quite some time, helping enterprises save time and money. The several benefits of BPA software propel it into one of the most vital elements for organizations. From automating manual compilation or distribution of reports to easing the otherwise complex onboarding and offboarding processes, BPA application goes a long way in streamlining business processes. If you are unsure on how availing business process automation services can benefit your organization, we discuss how the right tool can organize 6 diverse business verticals. Take a look.

1) Sales

The primary goal of the sales team is to improve sales figures. Introducing an automated and configurable application can help sales professionals find and retrieve vital information quickly and easily. The information empowers the sales team to effectively analyse, manage, and target both, new and existing customers for better returns. Not only that, the application also enables the sales team to process order, generate invoices, and forecast future sales, all of which augur well for organizational development

2) Inventory

Inventory management is demanding work. An automated application can support inventory officials with product management, item classification, transfer orders, and price list management, resulting in improved productivity. Inventory management enables the team to find and retrieve vital information quickly and easily, analyse the processed data, and manage the inventory system.

3) Finance

Managing the finances of an organization is an uphill task requiring proficient task makers at the helm. Even then, there are chances of errors in the manual management of finances. This is where an automated application comes into picture. It takes care of core accounting functions, including general ledger, general journal, chart of accounts, and bank reconciliation, addressing every accounting and reporting need of the organization. The application also manages the bank reconciliation process and TDS calculations.

4) Human Resources

We tend to take human resource management lightly, although it plays a significant role in the functioning of an organization. Introducing an automated application can help streamline day to day activities and provide end-to-end solutions with expense reporting and payroll tools. It also assists HR professionals with job posting and application handling, interview process, training & development, complaints, leave, and payroll management. 

5) Marketing

Marketing is an integral part of organizational performance and success. An effective marketing strategy can help business reach new heights. Incorporating an automated marketing management application helps in effectively tracking the different marketing strategies, resulting in better planning and decision making. Additionally, automating marketing activities helps track the right customers, eliminates paperwork, improves campaign management, and lowers the associated costs & time.

6) Project Management

Effective management and timely delivery of the projects is what drives companies to succeed. Automated applications enable project managers to maintain project related information, including project schedules, plans, budget, and status, allowing them to identify and resolve potential discrepancies, if any. Having access to project information helps project managers improve their delivery standards, ensuring maximum customer satisfaction.

Final Words

Business process automation application has become a necessity in today’s competitive environment. It is an efficient, secure, and robust tool that synchronizes different organizational verticals to provide maximum benefits to all stakeholders. Business process automation services are suitable for organizations that want to leverage technology to grow their business, without the hassles of building a large IT infrastructure and team.