Is your data quality accurate, and have you considered all the IT risks? Or do you not actually know exactly what's being asked? We too are quite happy to throw around various terms that are worth knowing regarding business software. However, the best 10-point check is useless if you don't know exactly what's actually being asked. Therefore, here's an explanation of the most common „must-haves“ for your business software.
IT infrastructure for business software
The IT infrastructure is basically the big picture, or the in-between. Cryptic? Think of a city whose infrastructure is its processes and dynamics. To live effectively in your city, you need to get to work on time every day. Roads and public transport are therefore part of the infrastructure that ensures this. But if, for example, more people use this infrastructure, you have to adapt it. It's the same in IT. Here, the infrastructure must remain just as flexible and be able to develop. This is the only way to ensure a secure basis for your business software.
Scalability of the business software
The same applies to scalability. Does the business software cover both qualitative and quantitative requirements? Does the software want to answer questions that nobody has asked it? Or does the system simply not cover some processes, which is why these can be outsourced? The scalability describes the testability that leads to the answering of these questions and thus promotes an increase in performance.
User-friendliness of the business software
In the era of „tap and swipe“, we've become very accustomed to user-friendly software applications. Anything that doesn't explain itself is tossed aside and disappears into the depths of the app store. Business software is usually a bit more complex, though, as consistent solutions need to and must reflect a few more processes than the typical app offerings. However, user expectations are naturally the same. Therefore, we must always work towards a good „usability„so as to ensure user-friendliness.
Data quality
As already mentioned in the first two points, data is an important basis for efficiently utilising and expanding system processes. However, this data must be of good quality. This means, for example, that it is not duplicated in the business software or outdated.
Mobility through business software
„Mobile Solution“is naturally a fancy thing in the age of digitalisation. Being able to access everything from anywhere suddenly seems attractive. Nevertheless: Is it relevant for your company? Mobility can be advantageous for service providers, for example. Or for on-site customer support. In most cases, this is then assisted by appropriate system applications, which has the advantage of not having to push everything into the cloud.
Business software security
And that brings us to the next point: security. Many users are particularly sceptical about data on the Internet. However, the more professional the security management, the more freely you can act with the data. Because if the security of the data can be guaranteed within a certain framework, it is freely available within this framework.
Competitive advantage
The competitive edge is crucial in such a fast-paced Industry like IT, of course. Nevertheless, if all the points mentioned so far are implemented consistently, your company will see an increase in performance. The more efficient organisation of processes leads to savings and investments in the right places.
IT risks
IT always harbours risks, primarily in terms of security and protection. In business software, both have a lot to do with up-to-dateness and back-up. Updates and data backups are therefore a good basis for healthy risk management. Otherwise, regular data maintenance and a watchful eye on the system are helpful to avoid mishaps.
Sustainability
In this age of digitalisation, we often worry whether our systems will be able to keep up in the future. As already mentioned: the industry is dynamic and constantly evolving. What you need to ask yourself is: how important is it for your company to operate at the same pace. While the system should be flexible enough to be able to „grow“ with you constantly, many solutions can luckily guarantee this as standard nowadays. But otherwise, you can ask yourself: What is „nice-to-have“ and what do you actually need to lead the company successfully into the future.
more on the subject:
Standard ERP: Advantages and disadvantages
The standard usability of ERP systems in 9 points
ERP as standard - what does that mean?
Integrated ERP approach or special software for financial management?
Standard still trendy
