There are a huge array of software providers out there that claim to solve many pain points for businesses, including increasing productivity, collaboration, profit and many other buzz words.
We’ve written previously about how to choose the right technology for your business, so now you’ve got the hardware setup, it’s time to select the software!
Before you start madly installing things on your computer (do you want viruses? Because that’s how you get viruses) ask yourself these questions.
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Can it service your business?
This question seems super simple but it is surprisingly one that is often forgotten about. Sure it has a flashy website and amazing features, but can it actually do the core task you need it to?
There’s no point buying a coffee machine that can regulate the temperature, use AI to select the grind and connect to the internet, if it can’t actually make a coffee.
One example we’ve seen lately is the discussion around the Reckon APS buyout from MYOB and the attention it’s receiving from the ACCC. The ACCC have extended the time they need to consider the purchase as there has been an unexpected finding regarding the competition between Xero and MYOB.
Commissioner Roger Featherson of the ACCC has been quoted stating “Xero itself admits that its HQ modules lack the functionality and sophistication to meet the requirements of the larger firms” and therefore is not seen as a true competitor to MYOB.
If you were a 30 employee Accounting Firm you would be forgiven for thinking that Xero can offer you a product to fully service your business. This highlights the need for a business to do it’s homework before committing to software and make sure it can deliver on its promises and service your business.
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Is your data safe?
This question is one that we often pose to our readers, and with the recent Mandatory Data Notification Laws now in full swing, it’s more important than ever.
While the rise of public cloud is making it easier and cheaper to get into the cloud, the big problem is now data and cyber security.
The vast majority of software is now cloud based, which is fantastic and allows for increased productivity and collaboration, but some attention needs to be paid to where it actually lives. Even if data is stored in the cloud, it needs to actually live on servers and those servers need to be housed somewhere in the world.
So ask the software provider where the data is hosted, what is their privacy policy, do they have access to your data and can they use your data? You may be surprised at the answers.
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Does your IT partner understand the software?
There’s nothing more frustrating than going through the sales process, buying the software, implementing it and then finding out your staff can’t use it and your IT provider doesn’t know how to fix it.
Avoid this situation by making sure your IT provider has the knowledge and skillsets to not only fix issues when they arise, but to understand your industry and how your company works.
Your IT partners should be just that, a partner. They should be helping you to make strategic decisions about the technology you’re implementing and how it will help you achieve your business goals.
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