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Expert Answers to Biz Questions
Listen in! Pick up some expert advice to a reader's question that we selected from CyberSchmooz.
How to Vet Software Suites for Your Business
A good software suite is a valuable investment for a business. When the software matches the business perfectly, productivity goes up and the business can thrive. A suitable tool simply makes a task more effective and efficient.
There are so many software suites designed for business users, which is why choosing one that matches your business can be tricky. Worry not, because we have the tips and tricks on how to vet software suites for your business in this article.
Start with Your Needs
Before you start looking into options and business solutions, you want to take a closer look at your business needs first. What kind of software matches your workflow best? What learning curve are you expecting when transitioning to the new software? More importantly, what specific features and tools will your team members use (and benefit from) the most?
Starting with your specific needs is a must if your goal is finding a software suite that works for your business. Rather than adapting business workflows to match the software, you should always start with a business solution that matches your workflows as best as possible for an easier (and cheaper) implementation.
Set a Budget
Many business solutions are now available as a service (SaaS), which means you no longer have to invest big in the software itself. Instead, you pay a monthly service fee to keep the business solution running in the cloud. You only have a small monthly fee to worry about, so budget should not be an obstacle, right?
Well, not really. The small monthly fee can still add up to a substantial amount when you are not careful with your budget. The Adobe CC suite of software, for instance, may seem affordable at around $20 per user, but the cost of using the suite per user adds up when you start incorporating multiple apps into your workflow.
Look for Options
Trying to save money on the next business software suite you buy doesn’t mean you cannot settle for the best software on the market. There are times when spending more is actually better in the long run, mainly because you get so much value in return for the investment. You’ll also benefit from the higher productivity in general.
To understand these elements, you need to do your research thoroughly. Now that you have specific requirements and a budget in mind, you can start looking for options and comparing them. Review business solutions based on the features they offer first before you begin comparing prices and running costs.
Read User Reviews
It is also a good idea to read reviews of existing and past users before you go any further. Fortunately, this too is an easy step to complete. You have a wealth of user reviews from various sources, allowing you to get a clearer picture of what to expect when you do decide to invest in the software suite.
Upgraded Reviews is one of the best sites to visit for real user reviews. The site has reviews for everything, from gadgets and home products to the best business suites on the market. You should always check here first before you begin eliminating your options and continuing with your search for the right business software to buy.
Try Before You Buy
Last but certainly not least, always give the business software suite a try before deciding to commit to using it. Business solutions always come with trial periods, allowing you to test the features and how well the suite integrates with your existing workflow for free.
After completing these steps, you will have a great software suite to use as part of your operations. With the tips and tricks that we have discussed in this article, finding the right business solution to use is certainly easy.
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