Tailored solutions

Uncategorized

Speaking to a small business owner last night, he told a tale of woe about his accounting system. Running a small specialist shop that relies on over one hundred suppliers, he complained that his accounting system was more focused on invoice issuing to clients, as opposed to his retail and multiple supplier business model.

This got me thinking, how many small businesses are currently struggling with software and applications that simply do not fit the respective needs?

Well, the current economic climate might be the best time to do something about it.

Desperation is the flavour of the month currently and it has motivated many vendors to offer compelling deals on applications.

So, if you find that something is chaffing and does not do what you need, make some inquires from competitors in the market, you may find that a migration to another application is eased by attractive terms. One such example is a where a license for a current application gets you a discount to move to a new supplier. This can mean significant savings and the convention is usually that the longer the valid license, the greater the discount.

However, there are other things to look out for too.

Installation and basic training are often included in the migration package, so make sure you avail of anything that is included. Do not assume because you are familiar with basic accounting principles that you will figure it out – if a service is free, take it.

Inquire too about publicity. If you sign up to be a reference site or a case study, you may achieve some publicity for yourself, or another discount to add the pile as you are helping the vendor promote its own business too.

Get as many quotes as possible and give as much information as you can, within reason. It might be that a vendor can lump in a few more bonuses or even other packages such as CRM or credit control that may benefit also. By knowing your needs and your current set up, a vendor will be able to give a full solution set, if that is what you need.

So, in tough times, don’t put up with tools that are not up to the job, particularly when vendors are struggling to sell anything at all. Ask questions, get discounts and take advantage of mutually beneficial trades, it just might give make what may have been a chore into a boon.

Read More: Paul Hearns