subject: Software Systems For Running Your Small Business; Your Options And Why You Should Use Them [print this page] Small businesses can afford a good software system for running their business and it's worth it. What are the options and why should you invest in this?Ten years ago most small businesses had much less real choice with selecting a good software system. The good systems were very expensive and usually the domain of much more established businesses. These systems did and still do cost a lot to install and to cover their annual maintenance fees.The next alternative was to have something custom built with a technology like dBase or Microsoft Access. This option could be very costly as well. Though the advantages of having a system that's tailored to your business processes is huge. The down side of this solution is that as time goes by it can become a bottomless pit of costs and when a major technology change comes, like a new version of Windows, you could be stuck with a system that needs a major rewrite. It's usually a pretty bold business owner who takes this choice.Next in the list of options is the dreaded spreadsheet. This can be the worst choice you could make. This costs virtually nothing to get going, so it's very easy to go this way for a lot of people. However, the fact is that spreadsheets aren't databases. They can't be accessed by more than one person at once and it's very easy to accidentally delete or incorrectly sort the entire spreadsheet, making a big mess of it. Spreadsheets also tend to create lots of duplicate data, because they don't easily link and update and that means more mess and time to maintain them.Finally the tried and trusted, handwritten paper form. Just don't go there. You'll either end up re-entering it into some other software system or you'll have a huge amount of data that can't be easily compiled and reviewed.The good news is that during the past decade a lot of systems have become available based on the online rental model. At first I was very much against this because over time they do end up being expensive, but the fact is that cash flow is critical and if this model means that your small business gets a good system sooner rather than later, then you'll be well ahead.The large, fully integrated ERP, MRP or CRM software systems that run on your equipment in your office and cost a large amount every year is certainly apprpropriate for a larger organisation, but the web based systems can be fantastic for the small business.
Software Systems For Running Your Small Business; Your Options And Why You Should Use Them
