subject: Using Online Business Webware [print this page] Using Online Business Webware Using Online Business Webware
Running your eBiz back-office with online business webware can be a good and practical move. Regardless of what you're selling, a product, a service or combination of the two, you need to have a back-office that runs efficiently in order for you have a successful business. However, it can be rather costly to run an efficient back-office since it requires using complicated accounting and order-entry programs with steep learning curves. Hiring people to do specialized job adds to the cost. In addition, the set up often requires networking several computers.
Just because an efficient back-office costs a lot doesn't mean you shouldn't have one if you can't afford it or if you are just starting out in the business. You can still have an efficient back-office by using online business webware (also called web services) that are easy to use, instead of using expensive and complicated software.
Some online business webware can include order-entry, inventory tracking, invoicing, billing, reporting, customer management and other financial functions. Two examples of popular webware are JAYA123 and the Oracle Small Business service.
By using online business webware you do not have to purchase and install large or complicated programs to your hard drive. Some of these are very hard and time consuming to learn and actually use. Many vendors now sell online services you can use to run your back-office. You pay a monthly rate to use these web services the same way you would pay your monthly cable TV subscription or ISP.
More and more small and medium size businesses are using online business webware. Among the many advantages of using webware are:
1. Monthly fees or subscriptions to web services are inexpensive.
2. You don't need to install anything since web services can be accessed online using a web browser.
3. You can use any computer you want to use as long as it has a browser installed. In fact, there are web services that you can access on Palm Pilot-like devices.
4. When you use webware, you don't have to worry about doing regular back ups for program crashes.
5. You can access web services and manage your business anywhere.
So should you use online business webware to run your back-office? The answer is based on different factors. For instance, the traditional set up (e.g., multiple networked computers and programs) is recommended if you have a fairly large business or if you deal with thousands of clients and customers. If you have a small business or you're on a budget, it may be more cost-effective for you to use web services.
If you run your business in remote locations or you deal with vendors (e.g., fulfillment houses) who may need to have access to your data, using web services is advisable. You can go with web services that will let you create "read-only" accounts that you can make available to employees, vendors or anyone who may need to view data. These people will only be able to view data but not modify anything.
The great thing about webware is you can test drive various packages before you pay for the services. In addition, you don't have to download and install programs and then deal with removing them later on if you find that they are not what you need. Demo versions of online business webware gives you an idea of what the features are and how they work.
Every successful online business has a well-oiled back-office. When you have an efficient back-office, whether you're using a traditional computer network set up or web services, you are able to concentrate on the business end of taking orders, working with the customers, making professional invoices, paying appropriate taxes, and creating accurate reports.
Many online business owners find that Internet fax services are a great convenience.
