The purpose of Business Management software for Startups& SMEs is to help them have efficient operations, reduced costs and do away with paper processes. It also helps measure productivity levels and makes employees more resourceful.
Business Management software can either be desktop based or web based applications. Desktop software generally has richer functionality than web-based tool as it works well with your operating system and can have more storage. But on the other hand web based applications often are less expensive and should be preferred when there is no issue of internet connection.
With advancement in Software as a Service (SaaS) and on demand applications most of the Business Management software can be accessed through web based applications.
The most useful categories of software for Startups and SMEs are used for the functions like accounting, Office suite, collaboration and scheduling.
Companies may also choose to use tools and software for Business intelligence, enterprise resource planning, CRM, Human resources and supply chain management but these may not be for smaller companies as it can add substantially to their costs.
Let’s discuss how each of these can help smaller businesses.
Accounting Software: Small business accounting software has many advantages over manual systems. The software performs most of the functions that a manual system does like billing, invoices and payroll much faster and the calculations are more accurate. The software saves the data in such a manner that it is easy to search. For example if you lose an invoice, its details may still be found in the software. Instead of checking huge bundles of papers, you can see the information that is stored in an organized way. Some accounting software also provides a way to measure business performance data like sales, costs and profits which will allow you to carry analysis on your numbers and observe trends and patterns in your performance.
Office Suite Software: Most businesses use Microsoft office and its tools Word, Excel and PowerPoint for their office tasks but there are lower cost options like OpenOffice available as well. It is the basic necessity in all offices nowadays as its productivity levels are incomparable to paper filing and handwritten notes, ledgers and lists.
Collaboration Software: Also called Groupware software, this category of software is extremely useful in team environments as it facilitates teamwork, and increase efficiency of business process .Some of the functions that can be accomplished with ease are online conferencing, online chat, interactive voice mail, documentation revision control, electronic faxing etc. These tools can either be used through intranet and internet and help to facilitate real time electronic communications and improve resource outputs.
Scheduling Software: Tasks scheduling is a major concern for most of the small businesses. Whether it’s booking customer appointments, scheduling work hours or arranging team meetings it’s difficult to rely on pen and paper in complex business environments. Scheduling Software helps you seamlessly manage your time schedules.
Running a Startup or an SME can be very demanding and it is essential that the business owner has the means to run the systems and processes of the business efficiently; otherwise a business may start to lose important customers and this will lead to multiple problems. Business management software for small businesses can really help to make the difference and help in its effective and efficient running.
