Choosing The Right Business Software
SMEs - even with a smaller budget, limited resources and smaller IT department - can implement 'big-business' tools to help them automate business and financial processes more effectively.
Jump-Starting Your Data Migration
The benefits of a Migration Readiness Assessment (MRA) framework resonate throughout the migration process: improved planning and budgeting, better resource utilisation, and enhanced risk mitigation.
Choosing A Mobile Solution To Boost Your Company's Competitiveness
As the business world evolves, the way people work together - whether in the office or in the field - is very different today from even a couple of years ago. Today, there is even greater emphasis for companies to enhance the efficiency and productivity of its staff to boost its advantage over its competitors.
Why You Need A Migration Readiness Assessment
Sooner or later, many organisations will be involved in a major data migration project, either because of a system upgrade, a new application implementation, or perhaps a merger, acquisition or divestiture/spin-off. It is well understood that data migrations are difficult and risky undertakings. This article provides a framework to mitigate this risk.
Will New Software Really Add Value To Your Business?
If you are looking for ways to improve your business, there is a vast array of software available which can apparently cure every business woe. According to the software vendors' marketing departments, every system will transform your business in so many ways it makes your head spin - so how do you work through the hype to see what effect a new system will really have on your business?
Is Your Accounting Software Keeping Up With Your Business?
For new businesses, choosing accounting software is relatively easy. However, once your business outgrows these products, finding a replacement is far more complex.
Taming Technology
Few small business CEOs, principals, owners and managers feel that they have their technology entirely under control. The convergence of IT, communications and business has created whole new sets of challenges for the small business technology function.
How To Implement Your New Computer Software Successfully
The first step that should be taken immediately after the software contracts are signed is to define who will assume “ownership” of the new software installation.
How To Control Your Company's Hidden Costs
One of the major factors that contribute to hidden costs lies in the warehouse. A warehouse that is not automated can create hidden losses.
How To Choose The Right Software For Your Company
When I speak with CEOs and CFOs about buying new computer software, they often respond by saying “Our software works fine. We’ve had it for 20 years and never had any problems with it”. In other words, if it’s not broken, why fix it? But their system may be broken in ways they don’t realise.
Matching Your Data Systems To The Business Growth Needs Of Tomorrow
Fuelling the high growth rate for retailers, manufacturers and distributors is a flurry of mergers and acquisitions. In today’s world of mergers and acquisitions and heavy usage of the Web, companies are facing a new reality. Software that meets the company’s needs now will not be effective after a new acquisition takes place, or if sales substantially increase as a result of using the Web.
Maintenance - Outsourced, But Not Out Of Mind
Although there are many reasons that companies outsource, the trigger is often the realisation that a constant internal headache – such as managing maintenance – could potentially be dispensed with by seeking external expertise. In other words, getting rid of a problem process by paying someone else to manage it.
Virus, Spyware, Grayware, Malware
If a process or change to your PC setup causes lost time, loss of functionality, obscene displays or frustrating unsolicited advertising then who cares what category the problem fits into. We need preventative action and on occasions a cure.
IT Outsourcing - Selecting The 'Best' Infrastructure Model
Figuratively at least, CEOs are lying awake at night asking, "Is my IT infrastructure delivering what it needs to? In essence, are we doing IT right?" It is an age-old and important issue that causes CEOs considerable angst: "What is the best way to manage IT infrastructure?"
IT Infrastructure Outsourcing Options
There are different approaches to outsourcing IT services, depending on the types of services required.
In-house Software: The Dangers
While many businesses venture successfully into in-house software development at some stage, more often than not the costs and risks associated with doing so leave the business with an element of regret.
Is Latest Technology An Advance Or A Hindrance?
The rapid advances in technology can present challenges to organisations that aim to be at the ‘cutting edge’. Many feel compelled to incorporate the latest technology into their activities or services – for example, on their web sites in order to be seen as leaders, instead of making the changes because they have assessed the need for such updates, and identified benefits for users.
Choosing Business Applications - The CEO View
Choosing and implementing a new business application can be risky, with many organisations making catastrophic, costly and very public mistakes. However there is plenty of proven experience on the best approaches, to draw on. Learn how to select and implement a new system and avoid risk.
Business Technology Planning - The Executive View
So you think your IT just costs you money and doesn’t deliver much. So what have you invested in planning.
Building An Intranet That Delivers
In recent years, corporate intranets have moved from "nice to have" to "must have" status in virtually all industries. In many cases, they have evolved into information and knowledge sharing platforms that companies rely on to survive in a knowledge-driven economy. Designing, developing and deploying an intranet that is highly valued by the organisation can be a challenge. Nevertheless, certain strategies, when carefully executed, can simplify this process.
How To Get The Most Out Of Your CRM Vendor - 6 Easy Steps
I am often asked to assist companies in selecting software and the most suitable Vendor to implement the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution. There are many CRM Vendor's to choose from - some very professional, and a number to avoid. Always remember that selecting the right CRM Vendor is as important, if not more important than the CRM software itself. It is no use having a 'technically brilliant' solution if no-one can implement it or use it.
Your Network’s Basic Needs
If you have 5 PCs or less in your organisation you may not have a well-built network, as some businesses think that a solid network for such a ‘small’ office is a luxury. It depends on the type of business you have and how much you are able to spend. However, if you have any more than 10 PCs, the following are a must. They are not luxury anymore – they are necessities.
How Intranets Can Change The Way You Work
Does your business have an intranet? If not what are you, your staff and the business missing out on?
CRM Software Selection - Top Ten Tips
Most companies actually fail before they begin selecting CRM software because they have no real understanding of how the industry works, and secondly have only a vague knowledge of what their own business requirements are.
How To Choose An Accounting System
Learn the six steps required to correctly choose an accounting system for your organisation. Learn five common mistakes people make during this process.
Making The Right Decisions In Technology And Telecommunications
The decisions for information technology (IT) & telecommunications in today’s market place cannot be made in isolation without considering the strategic business direction of the company. This skill set of combining IT and telecommunications knowledge with business thinking to achieve the best outcome is not very common.