In this competitive and turbulent landscape, having streamlined and accessible systems and services is crucial to keep your operations running smoothly. It also allows you to meet the needs of your employees, customers, clients, partners, and other stakeholders. Because of these needs, many businesses and other organizations are relying on innovative methods and technologies to revolutionize their overarching processes and procedures.
Organization is key to running, well, an organization. No matter what type of work you do or in what industry you do it, efficiency is critical to your success. That's why many organizations of all types are turning to enterprise software to meet their needs and solve their problems.
Just what exactly is enterprise software and how can it help you improve your organization as a whole? There are many key benefits. Below are 9 important advantages for you to take into account as you consider implementing enterprise software. But first, let's see what hides behind that name!
What Is Enterprise Software?
Also known as enterprise application software (EAS), enterprise software is essentially a system that is able to serve the needs of an entire organization, rather than single individuals or departments. There are many different types that can facilitate service in areas including:
- Accounting
- Automated billing
- Business intelligence
- Business process management
- Customer support
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Database management
- Email marketing
- Enterprise asset management (EAM)
- Enterprise resource planning (ERP)
- Forecasting
- Human resource management
- Online payment processing
- Payroll
- Product lifecycle management
- Project management
- Scheduling
- Security
- Supply chain management
- Treasury management
Ultimately, an EAS streamlines services that are core to the organization and essential for it to function capably, productively, and efficiently.
Enterprise software is used for many different types of organizations, not just businesses. For example, government agencies, hospitals, societies, clubs, schools, and other groups often use these tools as well. No matter what type of enterprise you're running, enterprise software can probably offer you solutions.
It is important to remember, however, that an enterprise usually refers to a large organization. Because the software is intended to serve many departments, individuals, and other segments of your business, it's not necessarily the best choice for smaller organizations. Instead, these companies often turn to alternative models, such as software as a service (SaaS).
Now that you know what enterprise software is, let's see how it can aid you.
9 Key Benefits of Enterprise Software
Why should you use enterprise software for your organization? There are many benefits. Here are just some of the most notable ones.
1. It Provides You with a Centralized Location for Information
The main purpose of enterprise software is to store all your pertinent services and information in a single location. This offers a number of advantages. Your members and employees can access myriad files, services, systems, and more without hunting for them on a hard drive or even in various cloud storage locations.
You'll also be able to see and review the data being generated in real-time. You won't have to wait for weeks or months to review the information produced by your organization and its various departments and segments.
Instead, you can quickly evaluate the information you're storing in this single, streamlined repository. This means your strategy will be better informed, given that you'll have quick access to data. You'll also be able to make decisions more quickly, thanks to the information you can access immediately.
This is because many types of enterprise software come equipped with graphs, reports, and other immediate data, including data visualizations. Its algorithms will even conduct real-time analyses of this information, revealing important insights about how you're performing, what's working, and what's not.
2. It Can Save You Money
Many organizations are concerned about the cost of installing enterprise software. While it's true that an EAS can be costly in the beginning, it's important to think about the money you'll end up saving after paying an initial one-time fee to set it up.
For one, you'll be able to replace other software you're currently using. It's likely that multiple separate systems for accounting, human resources management, customer relationship management, online payment processing, and more will cost more in total than having a single repository for everything.
Moreover, you may be paying for software you're not even using - or at least not using frequently - and putting an EAS into place will prompt you to take stock of what you need and what you don't. And don't forget that some of your systems may be incompatible with one another - enterprise software will address this challenge.
Remember that you'll also be reducing - if not altogether eliminating - redundancies when you use enterprise software. Any overlaps in your systems that are contained within a single EAS will be removed.
3. It Saves You Time
Having enterprise software will save everyone a significant amount of time since employees or members of your organization won't need to search for specific information. They can simply go into the EAS and know that the information they're looking for will be there.
Don't forget about all the countless hours people normally need to spend on entering data, too. All the information is automatically stored in one single system, meaning you don't need to pay anyone to manually input information into various accounts and systems. A vast majority of your most pressing tasks can be automated, which will save you a significant amount of money and time. You won't need to pay new employees to enter this data, after all - it will all be done for you by the EAS.
Plus, you're eliminating the need to enter information multiple times across multiple systems. For example, if you have separate systems for departments that deal with payroll and human resources management, you'd need to enter data twice. When you have an EAS, however, that won't be necessary. This, of course, reduces the time needed and increases overall efficiency.
4. It Improves Your Security
You probably know the risks of having weak or nonexistent security measures in place. Hackers could infiltrate your systems and introduce malware, personal consumer and employee data could be exposed, putting individuals at risk, and more. Even if you have robust security for some of your software and systems, remember that you're only as strong as your weakest link. If you've overlooked one application, your entire enterprise could be at risk.
Enterprise software will add a layer of security to your operations and their various components. You can, for example, add measures like password protection, two-factor authentication systems, and more.
Furthermore, you can impose a zero-trust policy, meaning only people who need to access certain sensitive information or tools will be able to do so. Therefore, only the people who need to be able to use systems or view data will have access to them - think of it as "need to know" only. Depending on the individual's status, department, or title, you can change their level of permissions, enabling them to view the information they need. Besides, this policy will monitor all behavior within the system, flagging anything suspicious or potentially harmful.
5. You Can Scale Your Efforts as Needed
No matter how large or small your organization is right now, chances are it won't look exactly the same in the future. You need an enterprise-wide system that will change with you. An EAS will grow or condense as your operations change.
Many types of software, including cloud applications and other tools, can exceed the capabilities and capacity of your current hardware systems. You can scale your enterprise software up based on your needs as your business grows. Should you find that you don't need all the space and tools you have at your disposal with your current system, you can also scale down as necessary.
Flexibility is key here. An EAS will adjust to meet your needs. You can also add or remove certain capabilities and services as your organization evolves, enabling you to only spend money on what you're actually using and what's helping, rather than hindering, your efforts as an enterprise.
6. It Streamlines Your Collaboration and Communication Efforts
You know that your organization can't function without solid collaboration and communication efforts and structures. Departments and people must be actively working with one another. Enterprise software makes this all the more possible.
Employees, partners, and colleagues will be able to look at the same data at once. They'll be able to access the same tools and files, so you won't need to deliver point-by-point instructions on how to open a particular application or document. You won't have to send passwords and login information through insecure means like email, either.
Furthermore, using tools that are meant for collaborative work is easier than ever, thanks to the single system you have at your disposal. You'll ensure that everyone is looking at the same draft or version and that edits are integrated accordingly.
7. Everything Is Standardized
It's easy for things to get chaotic when different departments and individuals are using different systems. As a business, organization, and brand, you need to ensure that everything is standardized. Enterprise software does just that - it ensures that everyone is using the same tools and applications to perform the same responsibilities and tasks.
This will go a long way in helping you not only keep everyone on the same page internally but also deliver a satisfactory customer experience. For example, when you have a CRM, one of the most-used types of enterprise software, in place, you'll be able to keep track of existing consumers and make sure they're all receiving the same level of attention and courtesy.
8. It Can Reduce Human Error
Inputting data manually can introduce errors in your data and work, even when the most diligent employee is doing it. Some errors can wreak havoc on your entire organization and cause disruptions in efficiency, productivity, and workflow.
With enterprise software, you'll reduce the instances of having to manually enter information. Many systems are automated, which greatly reduces the number of errors that occur. It also lessens the amount of time you'll need to check and recheck your data for accuracy, ultimately improving overall efficiency.
This is not to say that errors can't occur when you're using enterprise software, of course. But using it does eliminate many of the mistakes that humans naturally make as a result of, well, being human.
9. You Can Address Performance Issues Immediately
With a centralized system, you'll be able to spot any hiccups that might be holding you back. Perhaps customer orders aren't being fulfilled as quickly as they should be or there's a lag in terms of response time to queries. Whatever the issue is, by using enterprise software, you'll be able to spot organization-wide hangups and take steps to rectify the problem.
This can apply to anything that concerns your organization as a whole, from internal communication to employee performance to outward-facing marketing and promotional materials. An EAS will give you a broad overview of any errors or mistakes you might be making or even issues that are caused by external factors. Once you know what's going on, you can address the problems immediately.
No matter what the sector - from finance to healthcare to government - any large enterprise demands a streamlined, organized system to handle functions and tasks such as customer relationship management, payroll, and more. Not only will you standardize processes across your organization, save time and money, and reduce the potential for human error, but you'll also improve your relationships with your customers and clients.
If you're looking to implement enterprise software at your organization, there are many existing solutions from major brands such as Salesforce, Oracle, Intuit, SAP, Adobe, and others. But you can also work with a software development company to create a bespoke EAS to meet your unique needs.
This type of software is highly customizable, and if you outsource your development or have an in-house team design it, you'll ensure that it addresses your demands as an organization. You can also have the team adjust it as different demands and needs arise. Whichever option you choose, you'll be sure to vastly improve your operations and reap the rewards.
