Efficiency in Small Business Software

Ideally, one small business software application will encompass all of the necessary operations for a business. Small business software should have the capacity to expand and 'add on' corresponding functions as the business grows. Integration of software is one of the most critical and least considered necessities in large as well as small business.

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'Penny wise and pound foolish' is the business who accepts the lowest bid on an 'upgrade' to their small business software application, instead of realizing the problems that will arise from systems that will not 'talk to each other'. Any systems or business analyst that is worth their 'salt' will have as the first priority, the ability to have a smooth interface between old and new systems.

Basic needs that should be included in a small business software suite, are financial accounting (profit and loss, tax accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, invoicing, asset management), inventory control, business planning and development, project planning and management, document management, customer service, desktop publishing, collections, contact management, personnel (training, benefits, helpdesk, payroll, timekeeping, internal communications), regulatory compliance, computer network management, advertising and marketing. Other niche industries will have additional needs to be considered when purchasing small business software.

The key to any organized, well-run business is centralization. The adequate small business software package is the center of all other operations. For instance, let us use the concept of a 'relational database'. Few companies use this facility to its full capacity and thereby sabotage their efficiency and productivity. In other words, if one were to have the luxury of building the business from scratch AROUND the
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