Businesses, in particular SMEs, tend to encounter very similar software-related challenges on a day-to-day basis. As an SME ourselves, we have encountered the same issues faced by many of our customers.
For more than a decade, BOS has listened to our customers’ struggles and tackled our own challenges hands on.
These experiences have given us the insights and intuition necessary to make better recommendations to tackle your business challenges with you.
Common Business Software Challenges
1. Disconnected point solutions
There are several reasons businesses are discouraged from taking on too many software solutions.
Your team members become Jacks of all trades, masters of none
For one, your team members will have to get familiar with all the different applications being used. Learning how to use even a single application can be tough, much less learning how to use separate systems with different functions and interfaces.
Confused customers
Not all software is integrated either, so without a single source of truth, your employees will often be working with outdated data and differing information. This can lead to very confusing customer experiences while interacting with different representatives of your business.
Wasted resources
When your systems don’t communicate, a lot of time and effort – much more than necessary – will also be wasted on transferring data between systems and teams.
2. Your solutions don’t support growth
Not all solutions are expansion-friendly
Localised software may not be suitable for your business when expanding overseas – for example, can it support different languages, currencies, and region-specific tax regulations? Can you easily add on users and functions as needed, when your business grows?
Out of date software leaves you at risk
How often is your software updated? The recent ransomware scares really emphasised the importance of having your software systems protected and up to date. In fact, more could get hit by the WannaCry virus for failing to apply the latest patches available. It’s important that the software solutions you choose to use are frequently updated to keep your data protected.
The BOS Method
1. Initial Consultation
In order to fully understand your business challenges, we highly recommend scheduling a complimentary, no-obligation consultation with us. Don’t worry, you will never be pressurised or forced to sign up for anything you don’t want to.
During the consultation, we will discuss your current business processes, challenges, processes, software, infrastructure, and budget.
2. Demo
Once we better understand your requirements, we will prepare potential solutions to meet your needs, and meet you for a live demonstration right at your doorstep. One of our professional software consultants will be on hand to answer any questions you may have, technical and otherwise.
3. Proposal
Following the demo, we will prepare a proposal outlining the tools requested by your team or suggested by ours, along with terms of service, and a quotation of expenses and additional services that you may want to opt for.
4. Project Methodology
Once you have signed an agreement with us, our team of consultants and assigned project manager will work with you to develop a comprehensive business blueprint. A detailed project plan including the agreed scope of work and project milestones will be drawn up, to be referred to during the rest of the implementation phase.
Our principal consultant will go through your current business processes, suggesting potential improvements and assigning responsibilities to the future users of the system, aka your employees.
The plan will also include steps on importing your data, development of forms and reports, hardware configuration and installation, user training, and the Go Live process.
Growth Driven Enhancements
Seemingly based on the concept of Kaizen, Growth Driven Design is the concept of continuous improvements on your website as opposed to dramatic overhauls every few months or years.
Implementing a full-blown ERP system involves many working parts, and a whole lot of learning to fully make use of the various tools available. So rather than trying to cram every possible change into a few months, adopting Growth Driven Design with your ERP solution will help you to really benefit from your investment.
How we do it
Your launchpad
Our team helps you to create a strong foundation, your “launchpad site” being your SAP Business One implementation. We will address all your highest priority issues in the implementation phase, and as time progresses and you get more familiar with your system, you can always opt to refine your “launchpad” with new forms and reports or workflow redesigns.
This way, you can get started as soon as possible, so that you start seeing returns quickly. Your team can also get hands on experience with your new system earlier. Your launchpad is is supposed to be a work in progress, and the implementation process will be paced to meet your business objectives, budget, and expected business impact.
Continuous improvements
SAP Business One’s tools, particularly its analytical tools on SAP HANA, will also allow you to identify other aspects that may need improvements, refining your requirements along the way. With this design process, your SAP Business One implementation will have the flexibility to grow and evolve with your business.
Note: This story has also been adapted for publication in Steemit.
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