Choosing the best management software for your business

Starting a business can be thrilling, but also comes with a fair share of challenges. One of the important decisions you will make as a startup is selecting the right management software.  

Sound thrilling? I’ve challenged my new friends at SSA partner LANE Digital to make this topic interesting, so here goes…..

LANE Digital was founded in 2021 by Celine Arethens to help companies optimise the way they work using leading digital tools.  Celine was profiled as a new SSA member last year:

“I founded LANE based on the observation that there are thousands of digital tools out there and most of the time, people are not really sure which ones to choose, how to use it and how to get their team to adopt it. LANE takes care of all these aspects while reviewing existing processes of the company and making sure they are streamlined.”

What is ‘Management software’? 

Management software is designed to improve productivity and collaboration within an organisation by helping to streamline tasks such as project management, scheduling, resource allocation, data analysis, communications and reporting.

Management software is usually categorised as ‘Project Management’ software, however its application is broader than just managing ‘projects’.  Rather, management software is the backbone for planning, executing and monitoring operations.  It is key for:

• Organization: helps keep tasks, timelines, and documents in one place, making it easier to stay organized and on track.
• Collaboration: enables team members to work together effectively, sharing updates, files and feedback in real-time no matter where they are.
• Efficiency: automates routine tasks saving time and reducing errors while allowing people to focus on more important tasks.
• Visibility: leaders get a clear view of progress, so can make informed decisions quickly and spot issues early.
• Resource Management: enables better allocation of resources to use time and money wisely.

That all sounds good and exciting stuff, but what does it mean in practice?  Companies of various sizes and industries who have successfully implemented management software have confirmed the above benefits and specifically:

• reductions in ineffective/unnecessary meetings, in review & approval times and in time to market
• increases in on-time delivery, in teamwork and in capacity (from more efficient workflows)

• time saved creating reports.

 

Top 5 criteria in choosing management software

There are so many options out there, how do you choose?   

Here are LANE Digital’s top five criteria when picking the perfect management software for your startup.

1. Scalability to grow with you

Look for solutions that offer features and flexible plans that can be scaled up as your business expands – to handle increases in customers, employees and data without hiccups.  

And with scalability comes the tricky issue of subscription pricing. Most management software operates on a SaaS (Software as a Service) model, so costs can increase significantly as your company grows.  It’s crucial to find the right balance between the functionalities you need and the price you pay.

• Assess Your Needs: carefully evaluate what features are essential for your business, so you don’t overpay for unnecessary extras.
• Plan for Growth: choose a subscription that accommodates anticipated future needs without breaking the bank.
• Compare Plans: compare different subscriptions to find one that offers the best value for your specific requirements.

2. User-Friendliness

Technology alone doesn’t drive change—it’s the people who use it that do.   Adoption is the cornerstone of digital effectiveness and transformation. 

Management software that is intuitive and easy to use, with clear instructions and support, means less time spent on training and navigating complex systems – and successful adoption.

3. Integration Capabilities

Integrated tools:  

• streamline workflows
• enable accurate data analysis and reporting
• improve collaboration and 
• enhance the customer experience.

Ideally, your management software integrates seamlessly with other tools and systems you use: accounting, CRM and communication platforms etc.  This is obvious, but it doesn’t just happen – effort – potentially significant effort – is required!

By ensuring you build an ecosystem where every tool communicates, you are setting up your business for success.

4. Security

Security is ignored at your peril!  And here in Switzerland, you are bound by strict privacy laws and regulations.  

For management software, key considerations include:

• ensuring software has robust security in place to protect sensitive data – features like encryption, multi-factor authentication and regular security updates
• ability to select server locations – essential when dealing with sensitive data across borders for compliance with national data protection regulations and for specific industries (healthcare, finance) where data sovereignty is paramount
• clearly stated data centre certifications and compliance standards
• transparent information about data handling and storage practices

And as you’re thinking about security, you’ll need to balance robust security with operations efficiency (ie. performance, integration with other software) – and specific Swiss requirements. 

5. Customer Support and Resources

Look for software providers who offer:

• 24/7 customer support

• a range of support channels: live chat, email, phone

• a strong Knowledge Base: tutorials, FAQs and forums

• support in your preferred language(s)

• expert or partner based in Switzerland to ensure the right expertise to implement correctly.

Choosing the right management software is a strategic decision that can significantly impact your startup’s efficiency and, ultimately, success. By focusing on these criteria of scalability, user-friendliness, integration capabilities, security and customer support, you’ll be on the right track to make an informed choice of software.

Now what?

Are you: 

• overwhelmed by lots of messages and emails on numerous channels
• tired of repeating tasks due that should be automated
• struggling to keep track of projects and goals
• missing deadlines because they slipped by….

If Yes to any of the above, then maybe looking at the adequacy of your operational processes and systems is required.  As your business grows, these issues are unlikely to improve without action.

And remember, the best software is one that fits your needs and is implemented effectively and is used!    If your priorities, expertise and passion are not in process & software implementation, then companies like LANE Digital have established to aid companies in navigating the digital landscape, including choosing and optimally implementing management software.  

LANE Digital tell me they meet startups that have implemented and are using management software but are not reaping the desired benefits. That’s probably because of a lack of knowledge (and probably time!) to adapt the tools to their needs, to deal with the process complexities, utilise features & automation and organise team structure.

Hopefully, we’ve succeeded in making management software so fascinating that you want some now!  Or hopefully, this was 5 minutes well spent to understand the possibilities and think about how to ensure your business has the fundamental processes and tools implemented for your future growth and success.

 

Author: Suzanne Leighton