Costs vs Efficiency, Sales vs Service: What’s Driving Your Software Choices?

In business, as in life, compromises are more often than not a necessity. “You can’t always get what you want,” are the famous words most indicative of this idea. However, when it comes to customised software development, those compromises can take a back seat to what you really want.

Costs

Smaller startups generally lack the funds to invest heavily in the IT sector of their business. However, cloud-based technology has allowed for software development that is affordable to companies without massive budgets. There are free cloud based options like Google Apps, for instance. In addition, it’s possible to use software that runs on machines outside of the office.

In fact, many small companies don’t even have an office at all anymore. Online project management software has opened up the doors for companies to hire employees from all around the world.

They are often able to hire more skilled workers at a less expensive price. Even if the employees live in the same town, many remote workers accept less money to do the same job for the benefit of not having to leave their home office.

According to Global Workplace Analytics:

This takes into account real estate, electricity, absenteeism, and turnover.

Efficiency

Fortunately, a great way to cut down on costs is by boosting efficiency. It’s often assumed that using a custom software development service is much more expensive than an off-the-shelf package.

Sometimes this is the case, although it is dependent on a number of factors like which software solutions company is being contracted and how much do they charge, how much functionality needs to be built, and is there already a framework in place.

What doesn’t get taken into account, though, is lifetime costs and ROI. Off-the-shelf programs might cost less than custom software applications development initially, but why? In general, it’s because a software giant has put out a product intended to function for as many people as possible.

Their large sales numbers keep costs down. However, these programs often don’t offer specific solutions to particular businesses, and even to particular industries.

A custom built option actually allows for a more efficient solution- one tailored around a specific business. Ideally, this boost in efficiency and efficacy will end up making companies more money in the long run than if they had to rely on a program not built specifically for them.

Sales

For many industries, sales drives the entire business. Whether your company is in the business of selling cars or selling construction services, without a client base that wants to spend money, your business won’t be around for too long.

That’s just the way it works. Utilising software like CRM is a great way to boost sales and profits, and you don’t even need to compromise on other software functionality.

Customer resource management has become an industry of its own, and for good reason. According to Nucleus Research, CRM offers an average return of $5.60 for every dollar spent.

The features of CRM vary from developer to developer, but the intention of each is the same: build sales through building relationships with customers.

CRM helps to turn prospects into customers and customers into regulars. Every aspect of your business can be run through it. With cloud integration, it allows for salespeople to provide quotes to customers on location, and sign deals right on the spot.

Trivial yet strangely useful data like clients’ favourite sports teams can pop up immediately, allowing for salespeople to grow rapport easily and increase the likelihood of sales.

Service

Selecting an integrated CRM solution also offers the benefit of increasing customer service satisfaction- one more thing that doesn’t need to be compromised. When it comes to building customer relationships, the goal isn’t to try and sell one thing to a customer, kick them out the metaphorical door and hope to never see them again.

You want that customer or client to come back, again and again. You want them to like you so much they tell their friends and family to use your services as well.

All of that information collected via CRM isn’t just used to close deals- it’s used to handle potential issues with ease. Know exactly what employee dealt with a particular customer, what terms were agreed to, whether services have already been provided, and whether payment has been received.

Rather than passing a disgruntled client back and forth between a customer service agent who doesn’t know what’s going on, a salesperson who is uninterested, and an out-of-the-loop manager, complaints can be handled with confidence from one particular location.

In general, the more complex a software is the more expensive it will end up being. However, with proper planning and a solid budget, there can be less compromises when it comes to functionality. This will lead to a program that is more profitable over time, one that costs less, runs efficiently, drives sales, and keeps customers happy.