Choosing the right software for your SMEs

Featured article by Mary Ann Keeling

We are living in a world that is increasingly IT dependant, and this is particularly true of the business environment. Finding the right software for your SME is a crucial step to putting your business on the track to success. Only a decade ago, businesses had a very limited number of software options to choose from; mostly big brand names such as IBM and Microsoft. Today, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to business software, and the true challenge is finding the software solution that best suits your business. This is why it is important to fully understand the tech needs of your business before you start your search. The following are a few recommendations to consider before purchasing any software for your SME.

Price tag

Let’s face it, if you are running a small business, the price of the software will play an extremely important part in your decision. The price of various software solutions can vary greatly, from the cheap to the exuberant. A high price tag does not automatically mean that it will be the best option for your business and current situation. Conversely, there is a wide array of open source products that you can download free of charge, and that might just do the job you need. The perfect solution will most likely be somewhere in between these two extremes. Going over budget for your business software might have extremely detrimental consequences, so try finding the solution that fulfils your needs without breaking the bank.

Streamline

Before you even start looking for software, think about what features you absolutely need, and what features you can do without. Every business has its own unique software needs, meaning that one software product may do the job perfectly for one business while being useless for another. It is common for managers to be impressed by the versatility and multiple capabilities of software without actually addressing what the direct needs of the business are. This can result in over-paying for a software solution that has functions that will never be utilised. Making sure it can get the job done, while eliminating unnecessary extras is the way to go.

Vendor

The world of business software is an unforgiving one, and vendor reputation is of paramount importance. A proven track record is a vendor’s strongest guarantee of quality and customer service. It would be extremely inconvenient if your vendor goes out of business or discontinues updates for a software package you have purchased. If a software package looks too good to be true- it probably is. Be sure to look into the reputation and background of a vendor before making your final decision.

Integration

You might have purchased the best possible software for your business, but it will be next to useless if you cannot implement it efficiently and effectively. A worst case scenario is that bad integration or a lack of compatibility with existing systems can actually make operations more complicated. The first step of assessing integration potential is making sure the software you chose is compatible with the operating system you use. While the software does not have to completely match your operating model, it does have to be similar enough to be seamlessly integrated into your operations.

Customisation

Just as important as software’s functions and capabilities is its adaptability. A dynamic business environment results in constant changes, and your software needs to be in step with these changes. Ask yourself how the software will be able to adapt to changes, both external and internal. If your business grows, industry trends change or you modify your company processes, will the software be able to adapt? Ease of customisation is where open source software really shines, and is the preferred choice for businesses that need to be agile and highly adaptive.

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