Business process management software is great for companies that have a lot business information and need a way to compile it all together in an efficient manner. However, knowing which business management solution is best for your company often means understanding the basics first, so you can make an appropriate purchase.

Some business management software basics relate to features of the software that may be important for you as a business owner to understand. For instance the architecture of the software should store your documents in their original formats and run on a range of hardware. A large degree of scalability, or the ability for project management software to grow with your company, is also very good to have. Modularity of management software applications allows you to add more components later on and is also useful. Here are some other important basics to look for in software for business management:

1. Management software solutions workflow refers to automated processes.

2. Access refers to allowing remote users to log on to the software.

3. Compliance auditing features can track activity by user or by machines, which helps in industries where you may have to verify that a document was unaltered.

Action Steps to Find the Right Business Management Software
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about management software systems basics

Learning the basics that relate to business management software will help you make an educated decision as to which software to purchase and which software will best suit your needs. It's easy to learn the basics by brushing up on key concepts and terms.

I recommend: Entrepreneur.com has a complete 2008 product guide for small business management software. The product guide elaborates and explains many concepts relating to basic functionality. AllBusiness.com also has a comprehensive article that identifies key components of software systems for management.

Purchase CRM management software systems

CRM stands for customer relationship management, and nearly all businesses are involved with this type of management in some way. CRM software is very important because it can help your business keep track of customers, follow up with a customer when necessary and gain referrals resulting in increased revenues.

I recommend: 2020software.com has what it calls a short list of the best CRM software with explanations and descriptions of what the software does, which helps you understand why you might need it. CompareCRM.com also has excellent articles on the basics you'll need to learn in regards to CRM software and comparisons.

Purchase accounting management software systems

In addition to CRM software, accounting software is a basic business management program that almost every business could use. You may even be able to save on outside accounting costs with the right software.

I recommend: TaxSites.com has extensive information on everything about accounting software for your managing your business' finances as well as recommendations on what type of software to purchase. SpiritWorks Software compares accounting software based on what you may need for your individual business management needs.

Tips & Tactics for Best Use of Business Management Software

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you're looking into purchasing management software programs, see if they offer a free trial. Many software programs often offer extensive free trials and this is a great way for you to make sure you'll see a return on your investment.

Business management software is an all-in-one software solution, covering everything necessary to run, or manage, your small business. Management software includes project management software, inventory tracking software, e-commerce software, task management software, customer relationship management (CRM), and more, depending on the type and your business needs.

The top three things to know about business management software:

1) Find management software that fits you and your business, and allows all your systems to integrate.
2) A versatile system – that gives you the option to grow, add users, etc. – is a good choice for the small business with a solid business and growth plan.
3) Good small business management software will actually decrease your company’s expenses by streamlining all operations.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Know your options

Before you choose your small business management software, you need to decide how you’re going to use it, how many people will be using it, and which factors will best address your company’s specific needs – now and in the future.

I recommend: NetSuite’s integrated, Web-based software solution combines CRM and Web capabilities with accounting and ERP capabilities to give you improved collaboration, less IT costs and maintenance, and fully automated processes. NetSuite Small Business pricing begins at $99 per user per month; before buying, check out their Free Trial. The award-winning Intacct offers their Small Business Application Suite includes financial management, supply chain management, business intelligence, and (optional) project management. You pay a monthly per-user subscription fee, rather than pricey start-up licensing fees, and best of all, this small business management software gives you the option to add new users and software applications as your business grows. Check out the online demo to get a look at it.

Purchasing – or subscribing to – business manager software

All-in-one small business management software incorporates your business’s many various functions – from inventory to HR to CRM and more – into one easily-accessible solution. You can use this software through Web-based subscription, and pay by month – or purchase it outright, which is a much more expensive upfront investment.

I recommend: Go to Business.com's Project Management Software Directory for a Project Management Software Guide and many resources. Everett Software’s Everett Advanced automates all key operational aspects of your business. Can’t quite wrap your head around what business manager software does? No problem – Everett has a terrific graphic to show you. Not sure if you want to buy it or get it through a monthly subscription? No problem – here is a side-by-side Comparison Chart to help you decide.

Invest in the right business management risk software tool options

A business management risk software tool is necessary to any good small business management software – if your software doesn’t have the tools to address any risk management issues, including anti-virus software, then your whole system – and business – could be vulnerable.

I recommend: At Business.com’s Business Management Risk Software Tool Directory, find business management risk software tool needs, vendors, and more. Microsoft Business Solutions Small Business Financials, ranging in price from $995 (for two users)-$4,500 (for a maximum of 10 users), is a flexible solution with fully integrated financial, sales, purchasing, inventory, payroll and other capabilities. It’s made to grow with your business, offers automated file back-up and recovery tools in case of loss of data. To try out Microsoft Business Solutions, and other types of top business management software, 2020software.com allows you to order free CDs of each one. Want to find the best pricing? No problem – 2020 gives you the option to Get the Best Pricing. Make sure the one you choose has strong business management risk software tool capabilities.

Make your management software work for you

Your small business management software should – once it’s implemented – actually make your job easier by consolidating and providing information in an easily accessed display. If it doesn’t do this, perhaps you’ve chosen the wrong system for you.

I recommend: Explore the Management Software Solutions at Business.com. At 2020software.com, check out the “Top 7” industry-specific management software options, including feature/price/option comparisons for construction software, retail software, mid-market accounting software, enterprise solutions, and yes, small business software. (Not all options offer all functions, so check under the “Modules” section to learn which software includes which specific functions.) Check out the Small Business Software for a comparison of several of the business management software options discussed in this guide.

Check out “executive dashboard” solutions in business management software

Look into some “executive dashboard” options in small business management software. Yes, “dashboard,” as in a car – something you can check quickly for the overall operation of the machine – except in this case, the “machine” is your small business.

I recommend: QlikView, a powerful business intelligence, analytics, and reporting management software package, and that promises to change your business in just 10 days. QlikView’s Competence Center gives you a full line of learning options, from an e-Learning course, in-depth training (offered on-site at your location, or at theirs) for “power users,” and a free15-day trial. Go to your Executive Dashboard for one-click access to all performance aspects of your business.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Give yourself and your managers about two months to fully implement the software – and feel comfortable using it.
• •  Think ahead in terms of business manager software needs. It’s no bargain to go for the cheapest deal to only address today’s needs, but then find yourself having to invest in new management software down the road when your company has grown.
• •  Most business management software developers/vendors offer free trials – take advantage of these before you make the investment in a particular system, to make sure it works for you.
• •  Check independent sites to read software reviews and to find out about the management software vendor’s customer service policies and reputation.

Business management software is an essential part of any business, yet small business owners may not know how to use it to its full potential. Business management software education and training will help you to decide which software is right for your business.

No matter which business process management software you choose to use, training can help you to make the most of it. Some business owners are surprised to find that a business management solution that they have been using for years is actually much more robust than they had thought.

Business management software education and training can help you:

1. Decide which small business management software program is right for you. There are many to choose from and you want to make sure that you select a program or programs that perform all of the tasks that you need to work.

2. Determine if you can use the program. Some business management solutions are more technical and difficult to understand than others. If this is not your strong point, training will help you find a program that's easy to understand.

3. Use the business management software programs to their full potential. Learn about additional applications for your software.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose business management software providers that offer training resources for their programs

In most cases, it's best to stick to the source when it comes to training. The best training programs and tutorials will come from the company that creates the software program. Always ask about training resources before you buy a product.

I recommend: Microsoft offers a learning center for its Small Business Center software program. Everest Software will conduct an on-site training to help with the implementation of their software program.

Seek out online tutorials for business management software systems

Sometimes you want an easy solution for software training. Online training programs allow you to learn on your own schedule and go back to review whenever you need to remember how to do something.

I recommend: JobPro Central has online tutorials for the different aspects of their business management software. IBM offers self-study courses for their information management software programs.

Attend training seminars for business management software programs

If you learn best in a hands-on environment where you are able to interact with the teacher, then a training seminar or workshop may be right for you.

I recommend: JCSComputer.com offers training in popular programs such as Peachtree and ACT! Harvest Solutions can train you in using customer relations management software.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  An online or downloadable training guide for business management software may be most convenient. These formats make it easy to search for the information that you need at any time.
• •  You should also consider purchasing a software product that comes with live support. This way, business management software education and training is just a phone call away.

Business management software is the most efficient way to gather and store all the information that is needed to run a large business. The software that is selected should be scalable, is able to grow as the business grows and flexible so that different packages can be added later on when more functionality is needed. Before purchasing software, key decision makers will need to make sure that processes that are used in the business are well understood and documented. As you review the various options on the market, you will want to understand some of the acronyms and jargon you might run across.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

ERP

ERP or enterprise resource planning is a business management software system that is used throughout a company to manage and coordinate all the information, resources and functions of a business and is done so from shared data bases.

I recommend: CIO has a good overview of this topic.

CRM

CRM or customer relationship management is comprised of processes and systems that a company uses to organize and track contacts with current and prospective customers. Typically, it is part of business management software and is used by employees from different departments to improve the services provided to customers.

I recommend: See TechTarget for a clear definition.

Business process management

Business process management (BPM) is a discipline that is focused on the alignment of organizations with the desires and needs of clients. It advances effectiveness and efficiency in the organization while striving for flexibility and integration with technology. Business management software is designed to improve business process management.

I recommend: Savvion has a lengthy description on what to look for in BPM software.

Sales force management systems

Sales force management systems are automated systems, which are another element of a business management software package that automatically records all stages in the sales processes that have been defined by an organization. Typically embedded in a CRM, it includes a contact management system, which tracks contacts that have been made with customers to ensure that sales efforts are not duplicated.

I recommend: Aplicor describes the advantages of sales force management systems and shows how various systems are integrated.

SaaS

SaaS stands for software as a service in which a provider licenses an application to a customer for its use on demand. It is usually a subscription based service in which the vendor may host the application on their web servers or the customer can download the application for its use until it expires. Business management software can work with SaaS when required.

I recommend: About.com can help you understand this term.

Point of sale

Point of sale (POS) is an element of business management software and refers to wherever a transaction occurs in a retail establishment. Typically, in addition to the software it is also the hardware that is used for checking a customer out, similar to an electronic cash register.

I recommend: Go to Entrepreneur Media for more information.