Business Management Software:The Best Solutions

By Ross Densley

“For today's business vendor, it's imperative to have software solutions that can enable enhanced control over the business infrastructure, and therefore promote a competitive edge”

Linking across channels and utilizing the best business management software throughout a business can have a positive impact throughout all areas of a company and is proven to promote strong business growth and differentiate a strong business from a weak competitor.

For today's business vendor, it's imperative to have software solutions that can enable enhanced control over the business infrastructure, and therefore promote a competitive edge. The real key for vendors is understanding the best software solutions on the market and taking into consideration various departmental needs, escalating systems, rising costs and integration.

Research resources for business management software

There are several ways to investigate and research the right business management software, ranging from word of mouth, computer trade reviews, industry and professional press, social network news groups and vendor sites.

Word of mouth is often an excellent and reliable way to source information, tapping up a friend who is already using a successful business management software platform. Many vendors will research what successful peers use, and what alternatives they considered and why they chose as they did.

General computer trade press reviews are a useful barometer of software, as they have comprehensive reviews of certain products. If the software you seek has a wide enough market, it will be reviewed in the trade press. InfoWorld, PC Magazine, CMP net (techweb.com) and a host of others review software from operating systems and development environments to PIMs and fax servers. The major print publications all have online versions, and most have searchable archives of past articles.

Industry and professional press is useful if the customer platform is seeking a standard tool (CAD software, graphics programs, industrial controls, etc.), not something deemed 'mass market'. Publishing and design are the best represented on the web, but many other disciplines are there as well.

Social network groups like Linkedin, like word of mouth, prove a valuable tool in discovering the latest software rumors and trends. If companies are using social networking correctly then they will share groups with like-minded companies and be able to share opinions with industry professionals.

The most obvious place to look is vendor sites, but obviously the key is to look deeper than self effacing descriptions of the vendors features and benefits. One way to dig a bit deeper is to check their customer support pages and look for downloadable upgrades, patches and FAQs. These will give an idea of potential vendor problems and the real users experience, and of that vendor's responsiveness to them.

There are, of course, several software platforms from which to choose, and these can vary for each customer, depending on the needs of the business and the size of the company. Below is a select list of popular software packages, with links through to each of their respective sites.

SAP Business One

SAP Business One is an ERP software solution for small to mid-sized organizations. One benefit of the software is the 14 module structure that includes almost every business requirement from administration module to e-commerce module.

"This solution also allows partners and suppliers to effortlessly integrate into the SAP Business Suite environment of their customers or global parent corporations. Furthermore its Microsoft Windows environment also permits users to simply replace data with other Windows desktop applications including office software," says the SAP website. 

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009

Microsoft's Dynamics 2009 is a software solution that is best suited to mid-to large scale businesses, and is generally regarded as a good tool for businesses and employees that are familiar with, and use Microsoft. The interface with Dynamics is easy to use and will enhance ease of communication with simplistic collaboration tools.

Microsoft has described Dynamics as "an adaptable business management solution that offers powerful new capabilities to help growing multisite organizations streamline processes, reduce operational costs, manage compliance and drive informed decision-making."

"Every multisite companies should consider Dynamics AX," said Ray Wang of Forrester Research Inc.

NetSuite

NetSuite calls itself "the worlds number one on-demand business software" and is a popular software solution across America that fits well with diverse enterprises and non-profit organisations. One advantage for NetSuite is its ease of implementation, which can be performed instantaneously, and due to its flexibility it can be customized to fit an organizations' needs.

NetSuite claim that they have "thousands of customers globally, spanning a wide range of industries, company sizes and business needs. NetSuite is the all-in-one solution that can grow with your business."

Exact Software

Exact Software's one true outstanding quality is its connectivity, and in specific, how it allows equal connectivity between those within the organization and those outside of it. Exact Software also integrates traditional ERP with CRM, using activity monitoring, electronic work-flow management, project management, and business intelligence.

"[Exact] serve the local and international companies in more than 125 countries and offer our solutions in more than 40 languages. Our solutions provide our customers the freedom to successfully address challenges and opportunities, creating value for their customers and ultimately for themselves," says the Exact website.

Syspro

Syspro stands alone as a software solution that doesn't require the user to use a specific regimented platform. As a result, it is easily manipulated into an individual uniform procedure. It also assists the companies in developing separate manufacturing process simultaneously.

According to Brian Stein, CEO, SYSPRO USA, "SYSPRO 6.1 is one of the most comprehensive, single source and pragmatic ERP solutions on the market. It gives mid-market manufacturers and distributors a fully integrated solution that enables greater insight into their operations with all the tools needed to successfully compete. Our single product DNA also means that all SYSPRO upgrades are seamless."

Accpac

Sage Accpac Extended Enterprise Suite is award-winning business management software that helps small- and mid-sized businesses manage their accounting, operations, and customer relationships. A new version has just been released, called Sage Accpac version 5.6, which appeals to customers as it uses web services as platform for deployment of business applications.

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