| When it comes to choosing the best accounting | | | | outweigh the costs so be sure to do your |
| business management software for your | | | | research before buying anything. |
| business, the good news is that in Lahore, you've | | | | The functionality you need. What functionality do |
| got a number of options. So how do you decide | | | | you want within the software? Locally developed |
| which one will work best for you? The answer | | | | software is very basic, having just simple |
| really depends upon your business needs. | | | | accounting and basic inventory features; Mature |
| There are two main types of accounting or | | | | ERP packaged software's are fully integrated and |
| business management software's available to you: | | | | can include such modules as Budgeting, Purchase |
| locally developed or mature ERP packaged | | | | Order Processing, Sales Order Processing, HR and |
| software. While the locally developed options may | | | | Payroll, Manufacturing, Project Accounting and so |
| offer more customizable features, it's often more | | | | on. |
| risky to both purchase and obtain ongoing support | | | | Available support. Purchasing the software is only |
| as the developer: | | | | the first step in the process. It's important that |
| - May possible not have the skills and experience | | | | you have available support, which may include |
| to develop business management software which | | | | local consultants, internet support, phone support, |
| your business depends upon for its survival. | | | | training options and more. |
| - May be a small software house, (less than 20 | | | | Ease of use. When it comes to choosing |
| people) and may close operations at any time. | | | | software, this aspect is often overlooked, but it's |
| - May be able to actually deliver business | | | | one that's extremely important to take into |
| management software, but does not have the | | | | account. No matter how inexpensive, if it's too |
| depth of IT project management experience or | | | | cumbersome or hard to learn, you and your |
| skills to actually implement it in your organization. | | | | employees will not use it. Keep it simple, stay |
| Mature ERP packaged software generally offer | | | | focused on your business's needs, and look for |
| the least risky option for business critical functions | | | | those programs that have easy interfaces and |
| like operations, supply chain management and | | | | offer possible upgrades as your business expands. |
| finance because: | | | | Ease of implementation of the new system. |
| - You're buying a product that is already proven | | | | Developing software is a vastly different field |
| to help thousands of organizations around the | | | | from having the knowledge and IT project |
| world to survive and thrive. | | | | management experience to actually implement |
| - Your buying a product from some of the largest | | | | the software in an organization. As local |
| software houses in the world, (Microsoft, SAP Ag, | | | | developing software house tends to have core |
| Oracle) | | | | competencies in developing and not in IT Project |
| - Local Partners of Mature ERP packaged | | | | Management it may not have gained sufficient |
| software focus upon your business processes and | | | | experience in the field |
| training of your employees to use the software. | | | | These six aspects should play a critical part in |
| To help you choose the best accounting / | | | | your research and purchase of an accounting / |
| business management software for your | | | | business management software for your business. |
| business, here are a few specific things you need | | | | Remember, it's important that you find the right |
| to consider while you're doing your research: | | | | tool to assist you in the management of your |
| The size of your business. A business that | | | | business, and cost should not be the only critical |
| generates Rs50, 000 in sales each day has very | | | | factor you take into account. It's more important |
| different needs than a multimillion-rupee business. | | | | to find the right fit based upon need of the |
| If you're a larger firm, don't under buy when it | | | | business and ease of use. |
| comes to software because you'll only get | | | | My last piece of advice: It's easy to get |
| something that will leave you short from fulfilling | | | | frustrated with any new software package, so be |
| your needs. | | | | diligent about the implementation of it and know |
| The industry you're in. What industry is your | | | | that there'll be a learning curve. The benefit will be |
| business in? Some industries have specialized | | | | that you'll have an organized accounting / business |
| software you may want to consider purchasing | | | | management system that can provide quality |
| since it's been designed with your specific needs in | | | | financial and operational data for you to utilize as |
| mind. Most of the time, industry specific software | | | | you grow your business. |
| will be more expensive, but the benefits may | | | | |