• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Services
    • SEO
    • PPC Management
    • Digital Marketing
    • Digital Strategy
    • Fractional CMO
    • Analytics
  • Industries
    • Healthcare
    • Fintech & Financial Services
    • Ecommerce
    • Professional Services
    • Education
    • Manufacturing
    • Government
    • Legal
  • Case Studies
  • Resources
    • Marketing Insights
    • White Papers
    • Webinars
  • About
  • Call Us:
    (888) 846-5382
  • Contact Us
Home
Resources
Articles
How to Future-Proof Your Business Software
Business Software
Marketing & SEO
December 13, 2022

How to Future-Proof Your Business Software

Avatar for Pranjal Bora
Pranjal Bora
Pranjal Bora is the Head of Product Management at Digital Authority Partners. After working at Sam's Club, Sears and...
Read more

Get in touch with Pranjal

Software Development
1519 views
Avatar for Pranjal Bora
Pranjal Bora
Head of Product Management
Pranjal Bora is the Head of Product Management at Digital Authority Partners. After working at Sam's Club, Sears and Ricoh Americas for the last decade, Pranjal brings a wealth of experience to our team in ecommerce, SaaS and manufacturing digital transformation. Expertise: Product Management, Mobile App Development, Web Development, Digital Transformation, Website Ada Compliance, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence.
Read Less

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

Stay up to date with the latest digital trends.

There are no two ways about it – the importance of technology within every business will continue to grow. Soon, all companies will offer a product or service reliant on business software. Depending on your business and its needs, investing in software can be a costly and time-draining experience – when done correctly, this process sees organizations setting themselves up for continuity, growth, and meticulous processes. However, too many business leaders and managers merely look at the short-term vision without considering if the software they choose best serves them in the future and the present.



Let’s take a look at ways you can future-proof your business software, ensuring your investment is worthwhile and business benefits in the long run.


Watch this video to learn how Digital Authority Partners designs software that works for your business!


 

Predict The Future Of Your Business

Firstly, it’s imperative you have a vision for the future of your business. Alternatively, if you aren't in a C Level position, you need to speak to someone that knows the direction and plans of the company. With no understanding of where the business is headed, you can’t make decisions that will benefit the company in the long run. 

Once you are privy to this information, the real work of choosing business software can begin. Now you are able to make an informed assessment as to whether the packages you’re looking at are going to be suitable for the business in 5-10 years. Yes, you can’t say with 100% certainty that they will, but if you can prove that the business software you have chosen has all the features and functionality you need right now, it will also fulfill the needs of the company should it hit its growth targets, then you’re on to a winner.

Why is it important to consider so far in the future? If the software you’re evaluating is integral to business operations, it can be incredibly difficult to switch to another system later down the line. All employees will be familiar with how the package works, they’ll be thoroughly trained, and importantly, you’ll have spent a lot of money.

Choose Reputable Providers & Developers

Do thorough background research on software providers and developers. There’s nothing worse than investing hefty amounts in creating the perfect system, only for the company that built it to go out of business. In that scenario, you’re left with an incredibly sophisticated system that will never be supported or upgraded, leaving you to find workarounds for bugs, or worse, with a system that doesn’t work at all.

Things to look out for are how long they have been operating, what projects they have completed previously, which businesses in your industry have they worked with, do they provide ongoing upgrades and support, and will they provide you with reference companies for you to speak with directly.

It can be challenging to assess the potential future of a company that isn’t your own, but you must try because choosing the right provider will make or break the success of your project. 

Bespoke VS Off The Shelf

A big dilemma and discussion amongst many decision-makers are whether to go for a fully bespoke system or opt for an off-the-shelf pre-packaged program. There is no correct answer here – it’s completely dependent on what suits your business best. However, points 1 and 2 will be vital in your decision-making here.

Both bespoke and off-the-shelf come with pros and cons. For example, a bespoke system can be built exactly as you need it, completely unique to your business, working around your existing processes perfectly. However, they can be costly and time-consuming projects, and if you choose the wrong provider, you may never end up with the system you envisaged, and only a handful of people will ever be able to provide you with support. On the other hand, off-the-shelf systems provide less customizability but they do offer the guarantee of regular updates, bug fixes, access to customer support, and are relatively low cost.

Trial The Software

If you can get your hands on either a free or paid trial of the software, do it. Test it out with a core group of employees, people who will give open and honest feedback, and you’ll be able to envisage how it will fit into your business. A month or two of trailing can save you a lot of time, effort, and money wasted on a package that doesn’t deliver on its promises.

If the software doesn’t fit your needs now, it’s unlikely it will in the future. However, if you think it seems too feature-rich and too elaborate for what you need, refer back to point 1. Yes, it may well be too much now but will these in-depth functionalities serve your business better in the future?

In Summary

In an age where there is an abundance of choices in the business software market, choosing the right one can be incredibly difficult. Ultimately, it comes down to knowing the direction you want your business to take, researching the market for providers, and testing out the services they offer. If you follow those steps, you’ll end up with a system that brings benefits to your business for years to come. Remember, the software you choose should fit your business, not the other way around.



If you’d like a helping hand, our San Diego software development agency is on hand to guide you and answer any questions you might have. Alternatively, if you’re a marketing professional and would like to discuss the systems you use or how software adoption can improve your business, head over to our San Diego digital agency.

Want to meet with our team?

Book a meeting directly here

Like what you just read? Share this article with your network and friends.
Tweet Share Share Send

Related articles

seo partner_Shot of smart business people working with plans while talking of their new design business in the office
Marketing & SEO
Mar 27, 2023
Conquering the San Diego Market With a Great SEO Partner

San Diego is a vibrant city, home to competitive industries like health and medical, sports and active lifestyle, and...

Digital Authority Partners
Marina Turea Content Project Manager
Read Article
ROI_ROI Return on Investment Finance Profit Success Internet Business Technology Concept.
Marketing & SEO
Mar 27, 2023
Why Hiring a San Diego SEO Firm Is Best for Your ROI

Marketers use various metrics to evaluate the success of campaigns. One of the most straightforward ways to gauge pro...

Digital Authority Partners
Marina Turea Content Project Manager
Read Article
san diego boat rental_San Diego, CA USA - July 9, 2022: View of the SeaWorld Marina from the Bayside Skyride gondolas at SeaWorld San Diego.
Marketing & SEO
Mar 27, 2023
Hire San Diego Local SEO Firms for Top Sail Boat Rentals

The demand for sailboat rentals in San Diego is on the rise. With more people taking up boating as a hobby, opportuni...

Digital Authority Partners
Marina Turea Content Project Manager
Read Article
Digital Authority Partners
The next-gen digital partner for today’s makers & doers.

Digital Authority Partners
420 West Huron, 1st Floor
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 820-9893
[email protected]

Resources
Services
Case Studies
Insights
About
Industries
Locations

One newsletter, once a week Today's top digital insights delivered straight to your inbox.

Thank you, you're all signed up! We'll be delivering you valuable newsbites to your inbox soon!

FacebookTwitterLinkedinYoutube
Digital Authority Partners | Copyright © 202s2 All Rights Reserved.
X

Contact our team

This field is required.
This field is required.
The email address you entered is invalid.
The phone number you entered is invalid.
X

Thank you!

One of our consultants will get back to you within 24 hours.


OR


Call Us:
(888) 846-5382