How do you choose the right software solution for each of your business activities?
Running a business relies on managerial skills and proper use of digital technologies in equal measure. To help you choose the best software solutions, here are the criteria and priorities to consider, depending on the specifics of your business.
Assess the current needs of the company
To choose the right logistics software for your company, you need to conduct a “scan” of its performance. Based on the SWOT analysis, you will identify areas for improvement and determine the current needs in order to take the necessary actions to achieve better results in the future. Consider the use of performance indicators to establish business objectives, organizational priorities in terms of human resources, technological facilities, customer relations, competitive positioning, financial planning, regulatory and compliance issues. Remember that each company is a unique puzzle, and “putting the pieces together” is only possible with detailed knowledge of specific activities, resources and plans.
Compare software solutions available on the market
You’ve determined what your company needs, but how do you figure out which of the software solutions available on the market is right for you? There are software solutions for effective supply chain management, customer relationship management (CRM) software, human resource management (HRM/HRIS) software, project management software, accounting and finance software, enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, analytics and business intelligence software, marketing automation software, document management software, cybersecurity software, interdepartmental communication and collaboration software, and more.
Get informed and compare! Here are some criteria to consider:
- best practices for implementing logistics software (assessing business needs and goals in logistics, training employees to implement and use new logistics software, customizing and configuring software according to business workflows, monitoring the implementation of logistics applications in the company, managing changes and adapting to new logistics processes within the business, working closely with logistics specialists/consultants);
- scalability – Choose those software solutions that will enhance the evolution of the business and support organizational development based on the efficiency priorities set;
- cost control – Assess the costs of implementation, maintenance, necessary hardware, licences and possible integrations with existing ERP and CRM systems:
- access to technical assistance, support, training for employees.
Test the software solutions before you buy them
Have you decided which software solutions are right for different activities in your company? Before you buy them, test the applications and programs you are going to implement. Ask your software supplier for demos and presentations of the software systems.
Ask for feedback from customers already using the software solutions. Test data sets and situations specific to your company to verify the usefulness and effectiveness of the selected applications. Whether it is MES, WMS, TMS, POD, YMS, ReT, DSB, HMS or PMS, choose the right solutions for your business from the suite of applications created by Axes Software, xTrack LMS (Logistics Management Suite), through the project Innovative Platform for Artificial Intelligence Management of Work Processes in Factories and Warehouses.
Collaborate in testing activities with employees from different departments that are actually involved in using the software solutions you consider buying. By interacting with operational level specialists you have direct access to valuable ideas, suggestions for improvement, informed opinions about the performance of IT systems.
Ask for customization and integration options, test for security and compliance indicators. This allows you to assess the level of security your chosen software solutions provide and gives you the opportunity to identify possible vulnerabilities before actual implementation.
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For details about Axes Software solutions, designed specifically to optimize logistics activities, you can contact us by filling out any form on our website. We will contact you within 48 hours.
