Tell tale signs that it’s time to change your software

Business - 22/08/2020

In the words of George Bernard Shaw, “Progress is impossible without change”. As the UK starts to recover from the Coronavirus pandemic, businesses across the globe are realising that what worked before, is no longer fit for purpose. It’s no longer viable to keep doing things a certain way just because that’s the way you’ve always done them.

One area that may need an upgrade is the software you use to run your business. It’s something that all businesses, no matter their size, have to consider at some point. This week, we’re taking a look at the tell-tale signs that it’s time to change your software.

It’s not intelligent enough

Ask yourself; can you measure your goals against your results? Is the data and information you’re getting relevant to what you want to achieve? Are you spending too much time on administration tasks that could be done by automation? If any of this resonates, it’s a likely sign your software isn’t as intelligent as you need it to be and now is the time to invest in something new. 

Your software must provide you with top-notch visibility. A 360-degree view of your business. That way, you’ll be able to react to situations and make decisions quickly, keeping your operations fluid.

There’s no agility

If your software isn’t moving with your business, you need to move on. In the post-COVID climate, you’re likely to evolve and adapt your offering for some time to come. You’ll need software that you can scale up or down accordingly. Software will extend across every area of your business.

Flexibility is key. If your software is hindering growth and expansion rather than helping it, consider a change. 

The thought of change is too disruptive

We’ve seen so many firms put off a system upgrade because it’s likely to be too disruptive to their day to day operations. This is a massive red flag that changes need to be made.

A short period of disruption is a small price to pay for long-term agility. If it’s been a long time since you even looked at your software capabilities, chances are an upgrade is due.

You’re not keeping up with your competitors

If you notice that you’re losing out to your competitors, don’t rule out new software as a  solution worth looking at. You need to be able to manage clients, new enquiries and case management as standard. Many firms are now using facial recognition software to verify ID and online portals are allowing clients to keep track of their cases in real-time. This kind of technology is no longer the exception, it’s the rule.

Conduct regular competitor research. Find out the things they’re doing, and the things they’re not. That will enable you to corner any gap in the market.

The people who use your software on a daily basis are the best people to ask about the changes that need to be made. Gather your team and ask them what’s missing. What will make their working lives easier? What will give them a better chance of meeting their targets?

You need a software system that’s going to grab opportunities with both hands; software that will bring clients on board, instead of sending them running to your competitors. If you’re unable to deliver the usability that your staff and clients expect, your reputation will take a real hit. After all, user experience is everything.