What software does my SME need?
by Startacus Admin
What software does my SME need?
For the SME anything is possible; there are literally tens of thousands of applications and programmes available that can be downloaded instantly and put to work soon after. But does a florist need the same applications as an accountancy firm? Does a marketing agency require the same assistance as a restaurant?
Surprisingly, the answer may well be yes in many cases. Office productivity, accounting software, HR packages, email and perhaps social media are all parts of the SME package in the 21st Century, and while they might cost they will make life much easier down the line.
Here are four examples of the software that your company could use.
It’s almost impossible to believe that any company can survive without some form of email presence. And not just for dealing with customers directly; sending out mail with news of new products or invitations to open events/business events are two other uses that are good for new business (consider MailChimp if you wish to send out regular timed messages).
As for which account is best, Google Drive solves several problems at once, in that it is also a storage facility for documents, sheets and slides; a calendar that integrates with mobile technology, and easy-to-use but incredibly useful products such as Google Hangouts. However, there are many other account providers that could be equally useful – such as Outlook (see below).
Social media
Not all companies use social media, but it can give you a real advantage. At the very least, LinkedIn can help you find and gain endorsements from useful connections and industry news that may be of value, even if you contribute little as a writer, while showcasing work of which you are proud. That said, Facebook and Twitter accounts are a swift way to engage with customers and deal with any complaints, while promoting products, new/replenished stock and opinions. 
Office
The Office suite of applications and services, available in Business Essential, Business and Business Premium monthly packages, comprises Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint, for both desktop and web. Licences can cover several devices at once and, while only the premium service gives you a HD conferencing facility, all three services give you 24/7 phone and web support.
You might not need all of these, but Word will allow you to quickly create anything from letters to invoices, and Excel will help you run your projections correctly. Using these cloud-based apps will help you work on the road, and create insights from data that could boost productivity.
HR
HR Payroll software will help you implement your payroll procedures and manage the employee life cycle, and generally organise your entire business. Should a restructure be needed as you scale upwards, a dedicated HR system can relieve the burden. It will also help you in the process of attracting and recruiting new staff if and when the need arises – and these various programmes make your venture a success!
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Published on: 10th November 2016
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