If you run a modern business, you know technology is key to staying competitive and fueling growth. But with so many software options out there, how do you choose? Getting the right tech tools in place can streamline operations, boost productivity, and take your company to the next level. Read on for tips on finding software that tackles your pain points and scales with your entrepreneurial visions.
Assess Your Needs First
Before even looking at options, carefully analyze where your business is lacking. Pinpoint problem areas that could run smoother with the right solutions. Accounting? Inventory? Field service coordination? Document and prioritize what to tackle first. This step is essential for narrowing down your search.
Here are some tips for assessing your business’s software needs first:
- Take stock of current systems and processes. Document workflows to see where there are inefficiencies or bottlenecks. This will help you identify areas for improvement.
- Interview key stakeholders in different departments. Get their input on pain points and where they see needs for better tools.
- Make a list of challenges and issues you want software to solve. Rank by priority. This will form the basis for your requirements list later.
- Audit existing software platforms in use across the company. Look for redundant systems, analyze costs, and see where consolidations could help.
- Consider future goals and company growth projections. Plan for how software needs may change in 1-3 years. Anticipate needs scaling.
- Research options in areas you’ve identified as priorities before getting too far ahead. This will help frame realistic expectations of what solutions can achieve.
- Create a request for proposals (RFP) document outlining your objectives, must-have features, and nice-to-have capabilities.
The key is aligning software with clear operational and business objectives rather than just chasing “hot” tech trends. Approach new tools as a solution for reaching your goals rather than as an end unto themselves. Thoroughly assess first, and you’ll ask vendors the right strategic questions later.
Vet Options for Compatibility
Nothing wastes money like new software that won’t sync with your current systems. Thoroughly research potential platforms for integration abilities before buying. Many offer free trials so you can test compatibility before paying. Making sure new tools play nice with existing infrastructure will ensure smoother adoption across your company.
Here are some tips for vetting software options for compatibility with your existing systems:
- Make a list of all critical business systems and software currently in place. Note details like platforms, servers, programming languages, databases etc.
- Ask vendors pointed questions about integration capabilities with your infrastructure. Ask for specific examples from clients with similar stacks.
- Request API documentation, data exchange formats, and connectivity options to gauge how easily their solution can sync with your tech environment.
- Find out what types of authentication protocols they support and whether they can integrate with your network security tools like SSO, MFA, etc.
- Evaluate their support for any compliance standards you rely on – HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOX, etc. The product should uphold the same levels.
- Ask what third-party apps and legacy systems they’ve integrated with successfully. The more overlap with your environment the better.
- Schedule product demos to see integration and data sharing in action rather than just take vendors’ word when it comes to compatibility claims.
- Ask existing users of the product about their experiences with two-way data flows to other business systems. Check reviews as well.
Taking these proactive steps will help ensure any new software doesn’t turn into just another silo. Tight integration paves the way for greater return on investment.
Also read: Unlocking the Power of Data Dictionaries for Project Management
Keep Scalability in Mind
The solutions you need today likely won’t be the same ones your high-growth business requires in 5 years. Opt for scalable and flexible systems that allow for easy expansion. Cloud-based SaaS options are great for allowing more users and functionality as your company evolves. You’ll save money by avoiding constant platform migrations.
Here are some tips for keeping scalability in mind when evaluating software platforms:
- Ask about maximum users/transactions per second the system can handle. Make sure there’s ample headroom for growth.
- Look for cloud-based SaaS platforms that allow seamless upgrades. This provides more flexibility vs. on-prem software.
- Check if their pricing model scales smoothly (per user, tiered, etc.) without large cost jumps. Granular pricing enables aligning costs with growth.
- Consider if it leverages expandable cloud infrastructure – multi-region availability, swappable databases, etc. This supports scaling underlying resources.
- Evaluate if APIs and automation capabilities allow integrating additional modules over time or connecting other apps. This expands functionality.
- See if role-based permissions and configuration settings support adding teams and custom processes later. More configurability means less disruption.
- Look at extensibility of built-in workflows and business logic templates – can they serve more complex needs down the line?
- Ask current users about how the platform has kept up with their firm’s rapid growth phase. Gain real world insights.
By planning ahead for expansion scenarios now, you can avoid platform churn down the road. A bit of future-proofing will pay dividends as your company grows.
Also read: How to Transform Your Great Idea into a Business Success
Leverage Available Resources
Implementing new technology has a learning curve. Lean on available training resources to get managers and staff up to speed quickly. Most software companies offer things like knowledge bases, online courses, webinars, and support forums. Take advantage of these built-in tools for smooth onboarding.
Here are some tips for leveraging the resources available to help implement new software:
- Take advantage of onboarding resources like implementation guides, training checklists, and setup wizard tools on the software provider’s site. These will walk you through best practices.
- Attend any free introductory training webinars and read through help documentation to build knowledge before launch. Having staff educated ahead of time leads to smoother adoption.
- See if the provider offers onboarding consulting packages to help handle initial heavy configuration lifting and train administrators. Consider signing up to ease burden.
- Identify online courses, certification programs, and instructor-led virtual training available both pre- and post-launch to develop expertise.
- Setup the support portal and become familiar with knowledge base articles and troubleshooting tools to tap as needed without waiting on the vendor.
- Explore potential integrations with other complementary apps through marketplaces and partner ecosystems for additional features.
- Check if there are local meetup groups, conferences, or user forums to engage with peers, share experiences, and have questions answered.
- Request customer references that recently onboarded onto the platform to get advice. Set up user group networking.
- Provide ample internal training and backfill for staff to free up time to get fully immersed in the new system’s capabilities.
Leveraging all aspects of a software provider’s ecosystem will help smooth the transition, accelerate proficiency, and unlock more value faster from your investment.
The Bottom Line
Adopting the right software can be transformative for a growing business. With a methodical approach to assessing needs, vetting options, planning for scale, and leveraging help resources, you’ll end up with technology that takes your entrepreneurial endeavor to the next level. The effort to pick the perfect platforms puts the digital wind at your back.
