Making a firm-wide software change can be a pain. Investing your time and money into choosing and implementing a new program may feel arduous, but the long-term benefits of using the right software for your business’s needs are well worth the hassle. But how do you know you’ve chosen the right software? Answer the questions below to vet your top candidates and pick the program that is right for you.
What do you like or dislike about your current software?
Auditing your current software to find out what features you like and dislike is a great place to get started. Since most modern software is updated on a regular basis, this is also a good way to make sure you aren’t missing out on any new features or integrations that might make you fall back in love with your current program.
What will your firm look like in a few years?
It’s important to choose a software that will grow with your company. Looking at how you expect your solutions to look in the next few years will ensure that you pick a program that will fit into your business’s long-term plan.
What extra features might you need?
According to Accounting Web, many software options include extra features such as workflow, version control, resource allocation tracking, and reporting tools. Deciding which of these features would be most beneficial to your day-to-day operations may help you narrow down your choices.
How does your team feel?
Meeting with your team on a regular basis can help you keep tabs on what they like or dislike about your current software and enlighten you about new features that they would find helpful. Since your team members will likely spend a lot of time interacting with the program you choose, picking one that is easy to use, meets their needs, and increases productivity is essential.
What are your peers using?
Attending networking events, tech conferences and panels, and webinars can give you a good idea of what the industry standard is and what is working for other people in your line of work. Getting reviews from people who have firsthand experience with the software you’re leaning toward can shine a light on any pain points you might have missed or inform you of helpful features that you hadn’t considered.
When you’re satisfied with your software choice, you can breathe a sigh of relief, but you’ll also want to be thorough in your implementation process. Have your less tech-savvy team members test the software to ensure you can properly instruct your staff on any difficulties they run into and meet with anyone who isn’t sold on your choice to listen to their doubts and gain a new perspective. Don’t forget to ask your vendor for their expert advice on how to best utilize your new software, and schedule time a few months after implementation to sit down and make sure that you are using all of the program’s features to their fullest.
