It is all too common for businesses to choose the first software solution they find. While going for the most well-known software solution might seem like an obvious choice, it can be hurting your business in ways that you don’t yet recognise. Adopting any new technology will require a certain teething period where staff get used to unfamiliar technology, but to ensure that this period is as contained as possible and that you are receiving the highest return on your investment, you need to find the right software solution for your business needs. This guide is here to show businesses how to find the right software solution for them.
Define Your Software Requirements
Before you begin your search, it is a good idea to outline a list of software requirements. You should begin by outlining why you need this software and what will it be for. Even if the new software is free to use you should always see adopting a new software as an investment. This is because the right software has the potential to benefit your business processes, and at the very least you will have to invest time learning how to use new software.
Once you have defined your reasons for needing to use a new software it is time to turn your attention to your software requirements. You should set out the pain points that your software will solve, the value it will offer to your business and the processes it will aid. Topics that you might want to consider when defining the requirements for a software include:
- Usability
- Technological preferences
- Budgetary constraints
- Scalability
- Security
- Functionality
- Compatibility
Once you have a clear understanding of the purpose it is time to begin searching for your new software.
Search for Solutions
With a clear understanding of why you need this new software and the requirements it needs to fulfil, you can begin your search. Remember that companies pay to be listed higher in Google Search rankings, so a high ranking might not be an indication of popularity. Say, for example, you are looking for a communication software, the first software solution you will learn about is likely Slack, but that does not mean Slack will meet all of your requirements. Searching for an alternative to Slack is a good way to become familiar with the different types of programmes that are available. You can make a list of all the contenders and then narrow down your search by selecting the software that best fulfils your criteria. It is also a good idea to try some past customer reviews to learn a little more about the functionality of a software.
Conduct a Trial Period
Most business software allows prospective customers to partake in a trial period before they purchase. Partaking in a trial can help you to learn more about how a software functions and learn other valuable information before you commit to making a purchase. You don’t need to run a trial throughout your entire workforce. You can select a limited number of employees to partake in your trial and then roll out the software later if it is found to meet your requirements.
