If you own or manage a company of any size, you probably rely on software to meet at least a few of your business needs. The term software has been around for quite a while now, and has evolved continuously since its conception. Basically, software is any type of program that helps a person make a computer do what he or she wants it to do. Individuals use software for personal use, while companies, or enterprises, use it for business purposes.
In the beginning, software was sold on a floppy disk that was packaged in a box the size of an encyclopedia and sold in retail stores that specialized in computers or office supplies. Later, when the internet had grown up a bit, software became available for download, saving people time and money. More recently, with the development of the cloud, much of the software in use today is simply accessed on an as-needed basis, with databases being maintained offsite, and is often referred to as an application.
So, what’s the difference between regular software and enterprise software? Basically, software that meets a particular business need is considered enterprise software. For example, online shopping carts and payment processing, document signature services, email marketing systems, customer relationship management, customer support systems, and human resource management are all enterprise software systems. Why should you be interested in enterprise software? The best reasons for making this type of investment in your company are outlined here.
A Better Bottom Line
At first glance, some enterprise software seems pricey. However, when you figure in the amount of time that it can save your employees, it may look like a bargain. Take, for example, internal database systems. Would you rather hire a person to manually enter changes to the database, or use software that can do it automatically, and without errors?
A better example might be online shopping carts and payment processing systems. Previously, customers had to place a phone call and talk to an employee when they wished to place an order for your product. Now, enterprise software makes it possible for them to spend their money with you in just a few clicks, freeing up your employees for other tasks. By using enterprise software to streamline your business systems, you can save on labor, sell more of your product, and watch your profits increase.
Better Information Sharing
Enterprise software applications can help enable the flow of information between systems within a company, and data collection efforts can be consolidated, which helps eliminate redundancies within the database. By integrating information collection and storage systems with enterprise software, data is able to be accessed by any employee who needs it, so less labor is spent searching for information. As a bonus, the information is often more complete and relevant than it would have been otherwise. Departments are able to collaborate more effectively with a system to share information, which helps a company stay focused on meeting their goals.
Ease of Use
Most enterprise software is designed to be easy to learn and use, which reduces the need for complicated IT support. Often, this type of software integrates previous systems into a single one, with just one interface, that is simple to utilize. Without the need for IT staff to install and maintain outdated systems, your company can save money.
The Personal Touch
Without enterprise software applications, it is virtually impossible to deliver a targeted, personalized online experience to your customers. From showing relevant ads to making suggestions based on a shopper’s preferences, specialized software makes it possible to sell significantly more product online than is possible in a brick-and-mortar store. Shoppers today expect to be able to look up their past order history, create a wishlist, and safely store their personal information on your website. None of that would be possible without enterprise software.
Better Collaboration
Some enterprise applications help companies and clients speed up the collaboration process. For example, document signature services allow multiple parties to sign lengthy documents rapidly, from the comfort of their own office, home, or any location by using the application on their computer or mobile device. Keith Krach, the chairman and CEO of DocuSign, works hard to make his company’s enterprise software relevant for all kinds of businesses.
Other types of collaboration that can be significantly improved with enterprise software include task management, hiring the best talent, and holding virtual meetings. Many businesses are able to save valuable resources by using specialized software for collaboration purposes.
Enterprise software is the result of decades of software development, brought to you by talented designers and engineers. With it, your business may grow faster, realize higher profits, and offer a better shopping experience to valued customers. Your processes may become more streamlined and efficient, which can save your company money and prevent wasted time. Enterprise software is poised on the leading edge of business efficiency models, and can be the answer that your company is looking for.
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