It's a scary climate for small and mid-size businesses. Besides economic, many growing businesses also experience problems and frustrations when it comes to data management and business software integration. Sage has introduced an eBook, On the Hotseat: How Your Peers Are Tackling the Questions That Matter Now, that provides insight on how other businesses are handling these problems.
OONN TTHHEE HHOOTTSSEEAATT
How your peers are
tackling the questions
that matter now
Fortune Business Leader Council
Research conducted by Time Inc.
Research & Insights
Brought to you by SageIntroduction Common software problems Software integration Why integrate? Lack of IT support ConclusionPAGES 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10 11-12 13-14 15-16 17-18 19-20
Section 1: Introduction
LET'S FACE IT.
It's a scary climate out there for small and
mid-size businesses. There are more than enough
uncertainties to keep you tossing and turning
late at night.
TABLE OF CONTENTS JUST A FEW UNCERTAINTIES INCLUDE:
I. Introduction
. Is customer information as current as it needs to be? II. Common software problems
. How can I eliminate data entry in multiple locations?III. Software integration
. How do I make software updates less traumatic? IV. Why integrate? . Can I afford customized software? V. Lack of IT support
VI. Conclusion . Can my IT infrastructure be streamlined?
YOU'RE NOT ALONE. Time Inc. Research & Insights division conducted 306 online interviews among small and mid-size business owners and decision makers on the Fortune Business Leader Council between January 30 and February 4, 2009. Our goal was to learn more about the pressing business and operational concerns of today's small and mid-size busi-nesses. The study had a response rate of 18%, and as it turns out, we discovered most growing businesses are experiencing a lot of frustration and inefficiency when it comes to data management and business software integration.
SO WHERE DO YOU FIND THE ANSWERS? We'll start by exploring some of the general software issues many small and mid-size businesses encounter. We'll look at the direct impact on the businesses surveyed. Then we'll examine the solutions businesses like yours can put in place to improve operations, simplify processes, and increase profits.
1 2
1 2Introduction Common software problems Software integration Why integrate? Lack of IT support Conclusion1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10 11-12 13-14 15-16 17-18 19-20
Section 2: Common Software Problems
What are the greatest software
challenges facing small and mid-size businesses?
OVERWHELMINGLY, CUSTOMIZING APPLICATIONS RANKS AS THE MOST IMPORTANT CONCERN.
Customizing applications for your particular needss 63%
Duplicate data entry points 32%
Coordinating software updates 32%
Managing data imports 26%
Knowing how/where to get support 23%
Reliance on Excel 21% Source: 2009 Fortune Business Leader Council Research/Time Inc. Research & InsightsAccess to or finding information 20%
Difficulty with network installation 8%
Other 11%
Customizing applications is obviously on many people's minds given the overwhelming response. But eliminating multiple points of data entry is also a major issue. When you combine the responses in related data categories - duplicate data entry, managing data imports, and access to or finding information - most survey respondents consider these issues major software challenges as well.
What's the best way to overcome these challenges?
START WITH A COMPLETE SOLUTION THAT MEETS CURRENT NEEDS BUT CAN GROW WITH YOUR BUSINESS. Many small and mid-size businesses are utilizing contact management and accounting software, but most don't have a solution that provides visibility and insights from data. And they're finding that customization and data management across different systems can be very challenging.
3 4Introduction Common software problems Software integration Why integrate? Lack of IT support Conclusion1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10 11-12 13-14 15-16 17-18 19-20
Section 2: Common Software Problems
A WORD OR TWO ON APPLICATION CUSTOMIZATION. KNOW YOUR SUPPORT OPTIONS.Before you analyze custom applications, make sure you have the basics covered As 23% of respondents mentioned support as a major software issue, it's important in key areas like customer relationship management, sales management, and to make sure any software implementation comes with comprehensive support operations management. Demand flexibility in your solutions. Gravitate toward options. Consider companies with a strong local presence, including an ecosystem of applications that give you o... [download for more]
