tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51707875335084521382024-03-19T06:00:10.782-04:00Power your Business with Smart Software DecisionsSmall businesses are often overwhelmed with software decisions. We all want to keep the expenses to a minimum yet so much time is spent keeping organized and managing administrative tasks. How do you choose which solution is right for you?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052769508076481514noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170787533508452138.post-91098674520144137012014-02-02T18:01:00.001-05:002014-02-02T18:01:16.742-05:00Hire an employee or ... buy management softwareTo answer this question we need to think about why we hire an employee. Several scenarios exist and some are very positive but others...not so much. For example, if you hire a salesperson to manage a new sector it's probably a good sign: more sellers, more sales, more revenues. However, if you hire someone to delegate or distribute administrative tasks, its obviously less profitable: more Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052769508076481514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170787533508452138.post-22239524996439226212013-08-06T11:09:00.000-04:002013-08-06T11:09:21.783-04:00Understanding the different IT trainingsIT sciences have been around for quite a while but it has known an
incredible growth in the pas 20 years. In fact the growth has been so
quick that the trainings related to this "new" profession have been a
little foggy for a while. The demand has been so strong that anyone
could (and still can) improvise himself as an IT specialist without any
real training.
Is this a problem? Not Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052769508076481514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170787533508452138.post-41314379723664088062013-07-03T14:52:00.002-04:002013-07-03T14:52:56.840-04:00Who's right? Client or programmer?In the software programming world, particularly custom software, many debates rise between clients and programmers. These constructive discussions tend to focus on how a specification should be reflected in the upcoming software. The question is: is the client always right?
The client pays the bills so in the end so whatever happens he'll have the last word. This being said, its important to Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052769508076481514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170787533508452138.post-75039158918871029042013-05-14T17:26:00.002-04:002013-05-15T10:29:10.797-04:005 clues that it's time to rewrite your software
A software rewrite is never an easy task. A rewrite consists of taking an existing software and rewriting it to better accommodate the client. Although, it can be quite tedious, it is often necessary. In this post, I'll explore certain clues that can help indicate when its time to consider rewriting your enterprise software.
The common reason: "its time we changed, we built it 5Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052769508076481514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170787533508452138.post-60769771312018907832013-02-12T17:24:00.003-05:002013-02-14T09:03:18.216-05:005 tips to better manage your multiple software solutions
In the business world, it is rare to find an enterprise that has a single software solution that meets all its needs. Generally, the businesses, especially the small businesses, will have a multitude of software solutions that, put together, meet the majority of the business' needs. But at the same time, some of these software will have functionalities that will intersect Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052769508076481514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170787533508452138.post-49814218246113900432012-09-28T17:54:00.002-04:002012-09-28T17:57:17.700-04:00Apple's rare mistake: Maps
Its rather difficult to find obvious flaws in the marketing and Apple product placement in the last decade. But in their new operating system, IOS6, Apple made a huge one. One that could have been avoided: including and replacing an existing software with one that wasn't ready yet: Apple Maps.
The Public Transportation directions are not in Apple
Maps. Instead we are redirected to a screen Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052769508076481514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170787533508452138.post-70226758927516106292011-11-20T16:04:00.001-05:002011-11-20T16:05:18.796-05:00Choosing IT solutions based on your business' size
IT is a complex domain.
For a given problem, there'll always be a great number of solutions.
Each solution has its pros, its cons and an associated budget. The
choices to be made for a small business are far from obvious but
here's some advice on how to take in account your business reality to
your IT needs.
1- Don't base decisions
solely on past experience
I
often see small Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052769508076481514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170787533508452138.post-47618229822200465442011-10-01T17:03:00.000-04:002011-10-01T17:03:07.036-04:004 Types of Essential Software Metrics for Small Businesses
Most small businesses face the problem of being reactive rather than proactive. Consulting financial or operational reports are often done at the end of given periods. It is only then that they realize the errors that were made and how to adjust for the next period. What if its too late?
Metrics help deal with problems in thepresent , past and future.
How can a small Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052769508076481514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170787533508452138.post-30686871682323436082011-08-26T15:00:00.004-04:002011-08-28T17:43:52.002-04:00Software Offshore Outsourcing: Good or Bad?Software outsourcing itself is not bad. Small businesses can't necessarily afford to put in place an IT department. In fact, for small businesses, I generally recommend outsourcing their IT needs. However, between outsourcing locally and offshore, there is quite a difference...
Personal definition of software outsourcing: delegate the IT responsabilities to an outside firm.
Figure 1: An Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052769508076481514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170787533508452138.post-77717726600956493032011-08-19T16:16:00.000-04:002011-08-19T16:16:54.811-04:00How to Avoid Overkill SoftwareIn one of my previous posts, I explained why overkill software could be harmful for your business. In today's post, I'll try to cover some of the measures that can be taken to avoid getting stuck with such software.
The problem many businesses will encounter is that its hard to find a software solution that meets their exact needs. Although this is the case, its important to take the Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052769508076481514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170787533508452138.post-91069226436560707212011-07-09T10:01:00.000-04:002011-07-09T10:01:40.624-04:004 ways to profit from free software solutionsIn my last article, I tried to demystify a few questions concerning free software solutions. I went rather quickly through one of the most important aspects though: how do providers profit from free software? I will complete my answer in this article.
Why offer free software? Why would a provider or even an investor be interested in giving away their product?
Not only is it expensive to build, Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052769508076481514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170787533508452138.post-17393996400763616332011-06-28T10:14:00.003-04:002011-06-29T09:48:23.195-04:00Demystifying Free Software SolutionsPersonally, when I'm shopping around for a personal or business related software, I'm tempted to go for free solutions.
Whatever the software need or the platform: personal computer, Iphone or business server, I try to find a free software alternative. I'm obviously not talking of cracked software but of legally free software.
This is obviously an intersting economic solution but its veryAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052769508076481514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170787533508452138.post-43334529962671348762011-05-31T21:39:00.003-04:002011-06-28T10:27:57.860-04:00Overkill Software can be harmful to your businessWhen shopping for a product, everyone wants more for his money. Whether for a car, perfume, meal, we love to have those little extras or side orders offered with the price of our purchase. Even though this is normal behaviour, we need to be careful when purchasing software solutions that offer more and more functionalities.
I'll try to explain what I mean by overkill software by a concrete Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052769508076481514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170787533508452138.post-51721942836757778252011-05-09T10:31:00.002-04:002011-06-28T10:28:14.496-04:00Cloud Discussions: Should small businesses jump in the SaaS bandwagon?In my last post I tried to answer some of the questions I most frequently hear from small business owners concerning the Cloud. Amongst other things, I talked of SaaS solutions. This post will primarily focus on these SaaS solutions and when they should be applied to small businesses.
What are the SaaS pros and cons for small businesses?
Here are the pros :
Less expensive : Since the Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052769508076481514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170787533508452138.post-24431802605677776812011-04-30T20:02:00.003-04:002011-06-28T10:28:32.592-04:00Cloud Discussions: What small businesses need to know about Cloud ComputingMy next few articles will concern Cloud Computing. Here is the first of the batch.
Lately, I have had many people ask me if Cloud Computing was appropriate for their needs or not. Its obviously a new trend and many providers are trying to sell this as the way of the future. So is it? I prepared a small FAQ to answer some of the main questions.
1- What is Cloud Computing?
I like the way Bob Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052769508076481514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170787533508452138.post-85428287032450471032011-04-06T17:28:00.003-04:002011-06-28T10:28:49.142-04:0010 things to consider when choosing a Business Software SolutionA round number...impressive !
The choice of a business software solution is an important one. A business software solution is any software that manages critical enterprise data or processes such as an ERP, CRM, accounting software, inventory software, custom software, etc.
In his book, E-Myth, Micheal E. Gerber explains the importance of having systems in place for your business. Such systemsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052769508076481514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170787533508452138.post-90022036771194127602011-03-27T15:16:00.002-04:002011-06-28T10:29:10.455-04:003 ways you can integrate an enterprise software solutionNow that you've decided you need a software to manage your business information and processes, what are your options?
Well, you have 3 options:
Buying an integrated solution
Creating a personnalized solution
Buying and creating a hybrid solution
Buying an Integrated Solution
This solution is the most common approach for the simple reason that it is the most accessible and seems like the Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052769508076481514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170787533508452138.post-64314949370719858712011-03-23T20:42:00.002-04:002011-06-28T10:29:25.441-04:00The pivotal role software can and should play in small businessesNow you've probably guessed by the name of my blog or by the title of this post that I think software plays an important role for small businesses. Well you're right but you might not believe how much importance I convey to it.
Just to clarify, when I talk of software I'm not simply talking of those out-of-the-box solutions like your word processor or your anti-virus solution. I'm talking Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052769508076481514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170787533508452138.post-19887719148075339162011-03-19T14:32:00.002-04:002011-06-28T10:29:40.567-04:00What are Smart Software Decisions?Through this blog, I'm not trying to be extravagant or fish out an extraordinary and untouched topic like chicken-liver-lovers or banana-fetishes (really...you're thinking of opening a new tab and googling that? Really!) What I really want to do is give my hope-to-be-unique take on how, why and when small businesses should hunt, choose or change their software solutions.
When business owners Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02052769508076481514noreply@blogger.com1