How to Choose the Right Software for Your Business
Make the most of your tech tools
You know we love a good software tool. It’s our philosophy that creating efficiencies for our clients is the best way to operate, even if it means they need less of our time. Getting stuff done faster and with less hassle just frees everyone up to do bigger and better things.
Choosing the right software for your job management is one of the most important things that you can do to make your business run more efficiently. There are a plethora of great platforms out there, each with its own unique features and strengths. In fact, we’ve reviewed a few of them on the blog recently—check out our experienced VAs’ thoughts on ServiceM8, Fergus, SimPRO, and WorkflowMax to get you started, or take a look at our job management software section over on the FAQs page.
Another thing we love is seeking the advice of experts! Who better to give advice about choosing the best job management software for your business than Anna from Free Up?
This talented lady is an independent tech advisor who has helped more than 50 businesses transform the way they work with job management apps.
With that, let’s get started. Here are Anna’s tips for finding the best job management platform for you.
1. Identify where you need the most help.
A good job management software will solve your problems—so first, decide what those are! Where are your administration systems breaking down? What are the current pain points?
You might be in need of some serious scheduling help, or seeking to avoid quoting and invoicing errors. Maybe you need to keep better track of your inventory or streamline customer communication. Figure out what you need most and then seek out a JMS that caters to that task.
2. Think about your goals
If you are planning to grow your business, you’ll want a system that’s easy to scale when you need to. Can you start off on a cheaper plan and move onto a more comprehensive one easily when the time comes?
3. Consider what existing software you’d like to integrate
Many trades businesses already have some digital tools they’d like to speak to their job management software—for example, an accounting software or an inventory database. Knowing whether you can stack your apps and integrate your existing systems might make the decision-making process easier. For example, integration with Xero will be a must for most Kiwi businesses. WorrkflowMax is great for this as they are sister companies, but most popular platforms will integrate with Xero and MYOB.
4. Make sure it fits the industry
Software can be aimed at a broad or narrow target market—for example, Fergus is a homegrown company aimed directly at Kiwi tradies, while WorkflowMax is a more general job management system with a wider industry scope. Deputy is strictly for scheduling. Do your homework to ensure that the platform you pick has the capabilities you need for your line of work.
5. Consult the experts
Committing to a job management platform is an important decision—and there is help available! Free Up helps trade businesses to not only choose the right app for their operations but to optimise their use of the chosen platform to get the most out of it. Their advice helps tradies to increase efficiency and boost profits with tech. Take a look at this free guide that FreeUp have made available called “5 Steps for Choosing the Right Software” for some advice on the house.
We wish you the very best in your journey to the perfect software fit—and if you need a human touch to maximise your efficiency even further, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Released team! Job management systems are our specialty, and we can match you up with a VA experienced in your chosen tools.
