Business software:Benefits and Introduction

Business software: Benefits and Introduction

Written by Sergii Syrotkin

The choice of software for your business is very important and responsible stage. You have to choose from all software producers the much better configuration for your company. Each business has the specificity and a direction and good software should bring to your business the maximal advantages and benefits.

What benefits do you receive getting new business software?

1) You save the most invaluable resource of any business is TIME.

Your client it will be pleasant, when it serve quickly and qualitatively. An ideal picture when client has not had time to drink a cup of coffee and all documents and calculations are available for him. It is possible if you are armed good and modern software products.

2) You SAVE money

For example – earlier till an era of computers the department of accounts at the large enterprise had huge staff of employees which were considered with various incomes and charges of the company. But computers have changed all work at accounts department. Where for work used 5-10 employees now - easy work one computer. It consults more quickly,qualitatively and cheaper. It gives a huge economy on employment of additional workers, taxes and social deductions.

3) You become FASTER!

Modern business become very dynamical and every day this dynamics grows. That be the leader - necessary to be faster than competitors. Software allows to accelerate all technical processes and to finish them automaticly. For business to be faster than others very important factor in a competition.To be more quickly - means to be the WINNER.

4) You receive new UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES.

I want to give an example from personal experience:
I do sites and it was necessary for me to add it some of dynamics. It is possible at use Flash technologies and animation. I have simply bought a package from programs of one well-known company which produce programs for work in Flash.
Now on creation of banners, buttons and any animation pictures at me leaves much less time and I devote this time to another matters.
Moreover I should not pay to advertising agencies for manufacturing flash banners and I can change its design at any moment.
So I have got competitive advantage before other sites – not each site can brag flash elements, flash buttons and flash pictures.
Thus I have received my own new UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES!

The choice of a business software has 3 basic stages

1) Research of business software
2) Introduction of business software
3) After introduction research

1) Resarch of software

At first define which business software do you necessary. You have to answer following questions:

- What processes in yours company you would like to automate and reduce time for their decisions

- To reveal key points of your business and its need in software.

- What is the time training and preparation of the personnel after installation of the programs will borrow.

- Price of business software and your budget

For example if your company is the manufacturer for it process of manufacture is very important. Therefore it is necessary for the company software which optimizes manufacture of your company. So necessary to pay attention to the companies which develop and introduce a software for your kind of manufacture.

If your business is distribution or supplying, you should be focused your attention on management of a warehouse, functions of processing of orders, management of transport, to modules for planning a network of distribution, the forecast of demand and store keeping.
Define what functions carries out software which you wish to buy study it in more details. A lot software companies give a demo version which can establish free of charge and to work in these programs and you can compare their efficiency.

The price plays a key role in a choice of a business software. And the choice frequently depends on the budget and the size of the company.For this purpose manufacturers of a software have some categories of the price and opportunities of various programs. Usually they use such categories exist and business software:

Personal – the given programs for a private use or for the small business companies. They solve the primary goals and cost usually not so much.

Pro – more advanced version of the program it can have additional options for installation on some computers, to work in a local network, and also more expanded opportunities than the Personal the version. Pro is ideal for the average companies or people which this program for professional work is necessary
This software has the price in some hundreds dollars and to choose it necessary very carefully and for the own professional needs.

Enterprise - this version of a software for large the companies which have the local networks, the big staff of employees. Such software costs very much and has the greatest possible functionalities and options which the given program can have.

2.Introduction of software

You have chosen the program which to you has liked and the operating time with it in real conditions of business has come. For this purpose it is necessary for you to introduce the program in the company.

The success of introduction of the business software depends on skill and professionalism of people which carry out the project, spend training, planning, from intensity of their work. Involve in the project of the most professional employees.
Necessarily plan time for careful testing each process.
It is very important to check all possible combinations to reveal all possible system mistakes during instead of after introduction. Lead tests with each key process and each module of the software.

When testing of system will be ended, begin process of training of the personnel.
Some companies begin process of training even before installation of system that employees could start to work at once.

3.After introduction research

Do not stop at the first stage of introduction. Your new system most likely possesses additional functionality which can improve yours business-processes. Having accustomed with system, address to the documentation and in details study additional functions.

See once again business-processes for search possible ways of business improvements. Improvements should become a policy of the company - only then your initial investments will work in full.

Summing up, it is necessary to tell, that the success or failure of choice/introduction of the business software directly depends on quantity of the spent work. Information systems is the major part of your business.

So, not save - avaricious pays twice

Business software - softbusiness.ucoz.com

12 Steps to Starting a Business in Canada

12 Steps to Starting a Business in Canada

Written by Susan Ward 

1) Come up with a good business idea.

One thing that's the same about
starting a business in Canada as starting a business anywhere else is
that you need a good business idea first. Follow the link above to
find collections of small and home-based business ideas you can
browse through, how to come up with winning business ideas of your
own, and how to test the viability of your business idea once you've
chosen one.

2) Write a business plan.

My Writing a Business Plan series that
starts with this Business Plan Outline will lead you through the
process of writing each section of the business plan. You'll find
more information, including links to sample business plans, in the
Business Plans section of this website.

3) Choose a winning name for your
business.

When choosing a business name, there
are two things to consider; the business name's marketing potential
and its legal elements. The link above will take you to the
information you need to choose the best possible business name for
your new business when you're starting a business in Canada.

You can also visit the Small Business:
Canada Forum for help brainstorming a catchy name.

4) Choose a form of business ownership.

What forms of business ownership can
you choose to legally structure your business when you're starting a
business in Canada? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each
of the forms of business ownership? These resources will help you
choose the best form of business ownership for your new business.

5) Register your business name.

Business name registration is a legal
requirement for almost all businesses in Canada. Find out whether or
not you have to register your new business’ name and learn all the
details about business name registration for starting a business in
Canada here.

6) Find small business financing.

While many new small businesses are
financed out of their owners' pockets, many others need an infusion
of funds from other sources to get off the ground. This page presents
the main small business financing options for financing a new
business in Canada.

7) Get a business license.

While not necessary for all businesses,
many new businesses will need to get business licenses before they
can operate legally within their municipalities. If your city or town
doesn't have a website, you can find the information in the blue
pages of your phone book.

You may also need other licenses and
permits depending on what kind of business you're starting. Industry
Canada's BizPaL is a really useful tool for finding out what permits
and licenses you'll need to do business. Available in most provinces
and territories, BizPaL will provide a personalized list of the
business documents you need for all levels of government.

The steps for starting a business in
Canada continue on the next page. Click to read about the five other
steps you need to go through when you're starting a business,
including registering for the GST/HST, registering for PST, and
getting your business records off to a good start.

If you have found this page through
search, this is the second page of a guide to starting a business in
Canada which explains the steps you need to follow when starting a
business and links to additional information to get your new business
up and running. You will find six other steps to starting a business
in Canada on page 1 of this article.

More steps for starting a business in
Canada:

8) Register for the GST/HST.

Although GST registration is mandatory
for all businesses in Canada, there are exceptions. Find out who has
to register for GST, why voluntary GST registration can be
advantageous to your business, how GST in Canada works and what the
GST registration process is with these GST HST resources.

9) Register for the PST.

Before starting a business in Canada,
you may also need to register as a collector of retail sales tax
(RST), also known as provincial sales tax (PST). Do You Have to
Register for PST or RST? In provinces such as Ontario and B.C.,
provincial sales tax registration is called registration as a vendor.
The PST/RST library includes links to provincial sales tax
information in various provinces, to make it easier for you to
register for, and learn how to collect and remit provincial sales tax
in your province.

10) Prepare to have employees.

When you're starting a business, hiring
employees may be the furthest thing from your mind, but it's amazing
how quickly a business can grow. And once you have employees, your
business will probably need to register with the Worker's
Compensation Board in your province. My Guide To Workers'
Compensation Insurance explains who has to register for Workers'
Compensation insurance and how to register; Workers' Compensation
Insurance has links to the Worker's Compensation Boards in every
province, where you can register online in some cases.

Find out more about hiring employees,
employment standards, E.I. and other employee issues in my Human
Resources Management Library. The Payroll Taxes section includes
Employer's Guides, T4 slips, the ROE - all the forms and details you
need to manage your employees' payroll deductions.

11) Buy other kinds of business
insurance.

Protect your new business by making
sure that you have the kinds of business insurance you need. Do You
Have The Business Insurance You Need? explains what property,
liability, business interruption, key people, and disability
insurance are. Find out more about these types of business insurance
in the Insurance library.

Learn about home-based business
insurance and how to save money on the cost of business insurance in
general in Home-Based Business Insurance.

12) Get your business records off to a
good start.

If you keep good records from the first
moment you're starting a business in Canada, things such as
accounting and paying taxes become so much easier. Get your business
records off to a good start with 7 Ways to Make Record Management
Easy and 7 Ways to Control Chaos in Your Small Business.

Want to know more about accounting
and/or bookkeeping? See these Accounting and Bookkeeping Resources.
Learn how to set up filing systems and handle receipts with these
Data Management articles. Find out more about business expenses and
tax deductions in this collection of articles on Small Business Tax
Deductions.

Where to from here?

The Starting a Business FAQ provides
answers to common questions such as whether or not you need a
business bank account and how to find small business start up money.
Visit the Small Business Financing section for information on small
business grants and loans. Browse the Starting a Business library to
read other articles about starting a business. Or if you prefer, sign
up for the Starting a Business in Canada Course which covers the
topics outlined in this article.

Two major concerns for people starting
a business are management and marketing. The Marketing and Business
Management hubs on Small Business: Canada contain many articles that
will help you market your product or service and manage your new
business successfully.

International offer board! www.topinform.ucoz.com

5 Keys to Leadership for Small Business

5 Keys to Leadership for Small
Business

Even Parties of One Need a Leader

Written by Susan Ward

Are you a leader just because you run a
small business? No. But you need to be. Without leadership, the ship
that is your small business will aimlessly circle and eventually run
out of power or run aground.

It’s not having followers that
defines leadership. Cool-headed, farseeing, visionary, courageous –
whichever adjectives you choose, leadership is a winning combination
of personal traits and the ability to think and act as a leader, a
person who directs the activities of others for the good of all.
Anyone can be a leader, even if the only person they’re leading is
themselves.

But you can’t become a leader just by
saying you are. Leadership needs to be worked at. Transform yourself
into a leader with these five keys of leadership.

1. A leader plans.

The core of leadership is being
proactive rather than reactive. Sure, leaders are good in crises –
but that doesn’t mean they sit around letting crises develop.
Leadership involves identifying potential problems and solving them
before they reach crisis proportions – and the ability to identify
and reap potential windfalls. So good leaders analyze and plan and
adapt their plans to new circumstances and opportunities.

2. A leader has a vision.

Vision is essential to good leadership.
Vision provides direction and without direction, there’s not much
point to all that planning; your small business will still flail
about. So if you don’t have one already, take your first step
towards leadership by creating a Vision Statement for your business.
Because it embodies your dreams and your passions, a vision statement
will also serve as a leadership vision.

3. A leader shares her vision.

Sharing your leadership vision helps
your vision grow and your leadership develop. As you tell your
leadership vision to others, you will strengthen your own belief in
your vision and strengthen your determination to make your leadership
vision become reality. And other people will start to see you as a
person who’s "going places”. Your leadership skills will grow
as you and other people recognize you as a person with leadership
potential.

4. A leader takes charge.

At this stage of leadership, you put
together your planning and your leadership vision and take action.
Whether it’s implementing a specific plan to improve your
business’s bottom line or responding to a crisis, you, as the
leader, are the one who makes the decisions and sees that the
appropriate actions are carried out. You can’t just "talk a good
game” to be a leader; you need to act and to be seen as taking
effective action for the good of your small business.

5. A leader inspires through example.

If I asked you, you could easily name
three people whose leadership qualities inspire you. If I asked you
why, you’d tell me about the things these inspiring people did or
are doing. Leadership is defined through action. Therefore, in
developing your own leadership skills, you have to act in ways that
are fitting to your leadership vision and your self – all the time.
We can all name many actions of other people whom we admire, but what
inspires us is the integrity that gives these actions meaning.

Becoming a leader isn’t easy because
it takes a conscious commitment and consistent effort to develop
one’s leadership skills. But on the positive side, anyone who is
willing to make the effort can become a good leader.
 

And as good leadership is critical to
business success, your efforts to improve your leadership skills will
be amply rewarded. By working on these five keys of leadership, you
can become the leader your small business needs.

Starting a business in Canada may seem
overwhelming at first. There are just so many things to do! This
guide to the starting a business resources on the Small Business
Canada site is designed to help you make your dream of starting a
business a reality.

Each step of this starting a business
in Canada guide links to detailed information that will show you how
to complete that step. The steps are roughly in order but you don't
need to follow the order slavishly when you’re starting a business.
It really doesn't matter if you complete step 3 of starting a
business in Canada, for instance, before you complete step 2.

Public Relations Marketing

Excerpt from On Target: The Book on Marketing Plans by Tim Berry and Doug Wilson

Public Relations involves a variety of programs designed to maintain or enhance a company's image and the products and services it offers. Successful implementation of an effective public relations strategy can be a critical component to a marketing plan.

A public relations (PR) strategy may play a key role in an organization's promotional strategy. A planned approach to leveraging public relations opportunities can be just as important as advertising and sales promotions. Public relations is one of the most effective methods to communicate and relate to the market. It is powerful and, once things are in motion, it is the most cost effective of all promotional activities. In some cases, it is free.

The success of well executed PR plans can be seen through several organizations that have made it a central focus of their promotional strategy. Paul Newman's Salad Dressing, The Body Shop, and Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream have positioned their organizations through effective PR strategies. Intel, Sprint and Microsoft have leveraged public relations to introduce and promote new products and services.

Similar to the foundational goals of marketing, effective public relations seeks to communicate information to:
Launch new products and services.
Reposition a product or service.
Create or increase interest in a product, service, or brand.
Influence specific target groups.
Defend products or services that have suffered from negative press or perception.
Enhance the firm's overall image.
The result of an effective public relations strategy is to generate additional revenue through greater awareness and information for the products and services an organization offers.

Goals and Objectives

Good strategy begins with identifying your goals and stating your objectives. What are the goals and objectives behind your public relations strategy and can they be measured and quantified?

Each of these areas may reflect the goals your public relations campaign may seek to accomplish.

Press relations
Communicating news and information of interest about organizations in the most positive light.

Product and service promotion
Sponsoring various efforts to publicize specific products or services.

Firm communications
Promoting a better and more attractive understanding of the organization with internal and external communications.

Lobbying
Communicating with key individuals to positively influence legislation and regulation.

Internal feedback
Advising decision makers within the organization regarding the public's perception and advising actions to be taken to change negative opinions.

Source: Articles on bplans.com

10 STEPS TO BUYING SOFTWARE

This is guide to buying software from international expert in software buing - Sandra Parker.

1) Research

What’s the reason for this software? Time management, organizational database, etc?

What are the necessary features the software must have?

What are optional features that could be useful?

How much is in the budget for this software?

Getting preliminary research done is the first step in buying software successfully. Not only does it save you money in the long run, but it also allows you to fully grasp what your company needs and will need in the future. The process of finding the right software can be confusing since there are so many options out there. It's good to make a list of necessary features. Once you have that list it's time to find some actual titles that fit your needs.
With the advent of the Internet, finding software that fits has become easier and harder at the same time. There are so many options out there and sorting through them all can be time consuming. Fortunately there is one major resource out there, the search engines. If you don't have a particular brand of software in mind, you are probably better off going to a directory, like Yahoo! or a "pay for placement" search engine like Overture. Remember to type a general description like "project management software." Your search results will be mixed with mostly companies and third party vendors. If you're looking for more information on the particular software, check the company web site. If you're looking to buy, check out both the company and the vendors' sites, to find your best price.

Another resource that people sometimes overlook is CNET's Download, www.download.com. This site features all categories of software for business and pleasure. Best of all, you can download all programs right from the web site. However beware that not all titles are freeware. Some are shareware or demos of the full version. If you're curious to see what's out there, this site is a great place to start.

Going online isn't the only place to start your software research. You can try the more traditional approach of going to trade shows, word of mouth or just browsing store shelves. Going to a trade show allows you to view the software in action, discuss it with a company representative and collect information. Word of mouth is a great way to find out about a product. If you've heard great things you are more apt to buy that product. However, before jumping in headfirst and buying that software package, make sure it is really what your company needs. It may be right for some and not for others. Lastly, you can go to your favorite computer store. Browsing the shelves and speaking with salesperson is sometimes what you need to make that final decision. Just make sure the salesperson isn't convincing you to buy something you don't need.

Remember to take your time and really decide what your company's needs are. Printing out our online checklist is the best way to make sure you are getting exactly what you need for a reasonable price.

2) Cost

Are there any rebates available?

Will software increase profitability?

Are you paying for other features that aren’t necessary?

How much is the actual software?

How much are the individual licenses? (See Licensing below)

Will you have to upgrade systems to meet hardware requirements? (See Compatibility below)

In an ideal world cost wouldn't be a determining factor when buying software. Unfortunately we live in a world where we need and want the price to be right. Making sure you pay only for the features you need is the number one priority when it comes to price. The added features included in the more expensive software package might look appealing at first, but will you really need them for your business to be productive? Will your employees benefit by those extra features? If the answer to those questions are not a definite yes, than you should stick with the package that satisfies your basic necessities.

There are some unexpected hidden costs when you are purchasing software for a company. The first one is licensing. If you're planning on using the software on more than one computer, you will have to buy individual licenses for each. You also might have to buy the software all over again to get another license. Making sure your systems are compatible with the software is another issue. Memory upgrades are common in order for software to work properly. You can find more detail on these topics in later sections.

3) Licensing

How many users/computers do you need to license?

Is it possible for people to double up?

How long is the license good for? Forever, annually, monthly, etc?

We touched upon the topic of licensing in the section on cost, however the consequences of not licensing software correctly weren't brought up. Pirated software is a common thing on the Internet. Virtually any title is available for download; all you need is the registration key. You can find these on illegal "warez" web sites. It isn't recommended though, since getting caught with pirated software is a serious offence.
In the United States software piracy is punishable by statutory damages of up to $100,000 for each work infringed and may result in a felony conviction. Penalties for felony convictions include fines of up to $250,000 and imprisonment for up to 5 years. Licensing your software correctly is important. It isn't worth the chance of getting caught.
If you don't have enough money in the budget to license numerous copies of software, see if people can share a computer with the software on it. Doubling up may be cost efficient and it keeps all the information on one computer, in one place.

4) Compatibility

What operating systems does the software run on?

How much memory does it require to run?

How much disk space is required?

What speed processor is optimal?

What operating systems are on the office computers?

How much memory do they have?

How big are the hard drives?

What speed processors are they running?

Do you have enough computers that meet requirements to install?

Compatibility is only a big issue if you have older computers in your office. Most new computers are equipped to deal with current software demands. The only thing you have to make sure of with newer computers is that the software is compatible with the operating system you're running. If you're running Windows 95/98/NT you must buy software for that platform. If you're running a Mac OS, you must buy software for that, and so on.
If you want to install software on older computers there are three things you must keep in mind: processor speed, memory and disk space available. Almost all software will have a recommended section on the box, web site or brochure. There it will tell you what the minimum requirements to run the software are. Knowing what processor speed, how much memory and disk space you have to work with make everything a whole lot easier and you won't end up with something you can't use.

5) Learning Curve

Who needs to use this software?

How difficult is it to use and grasp all the important features?

How much will it cost to train employees?

Will you have to outsource training?

Are the time and resources available?

How long will this take for me and/or my employees to learn how to use? This is by far the most unpredictable aspect of buying new software. If there is a demo version of the software available you should download it and get a feel for how it all works. If there isn't, it could be hard to tell. This is a big reason why you don't want to get more features than you need. Taking the time to learn everything costs money and resources that could be spent doing something else.
Learning the software on your own could be complicated. If that ends up being a serious problem you could always outsource the training. Although it costs some money on your part, it might just be worth having your employees guided through the software, instead of struggling with it on their own.

6) Scalability & Flexibility

Can the software expand with your business?

Are more licenses available for purchase?

Are there plug-ins and/or add-ons that are available for purchase?

Is there a hierarchy (basic, premium, deluxe) that you can upgrade to?

Having your company grow is usually an inevitable change. It brings along more computers, bigger office space and more powerful software. If you're expecting your company to grow in the long term, why not purchase software with that in mind. Buy a package that includes upgrades and the option to boost the package from basic to deluxe. With the number of employees increasing, the number of computers in use will increase. If you need the software distributed on the new computers, you will have to buy more licenses. So when you're looking at software, make sure they have options for your expanding business, whether it is more licensing, upgrades, add-ons or plug-ins.

7) Purchasing Software Online

Will you download the software or have it mailed to you?

Is the vendor certified?

What do they charge for shipping and handling?

Is the order form securely encrypted?

Can you order offline as well? Phone, fax, etc?

Most companies allow you to download their products online and then have you fill out an order form to receive the registration number by e-mail. If you're using this method, it is critical that you save a copy of the downloaded set-up file and the e-mailed registration code. The best way to do this is to burn both items onto a CD and store it in a safe place, preferably in a different physical location. If you can't do that, just save them on your computer in a place where they won't be disturbed.
If you're buying software from a third party vendor online, you have to make sure they are a certified vendor. There are a lot of scams out there and if the offer seems too good to be true, it usually is. Make sure it is a trusted name of which many people have heard. Joe's Software doesn't have the same credibility as Amazon.com or Outpost.com. Also, ask ahead of time about shipping and handling. The software itself might be cheap but the shipping could be outrageous. Above all else, use your common sense. If it doesn't feel right, don't buy it.

8) Purchasing Software in Store

Are you purchasing an old version and not the new one?

What is the store’s return policy?

Is the store offering any rebates?

The most important thing to remember when buying software in a store is to not let the salesperson convince you of your needs. They are there to make a sale, and usually aren't looking out for your best interest. Make sure you do your research before you buy anything. Also check what the store's return policy is. Sometimes when you buy software on sale, you are not allowed to return it. If you plan on buying software that's on sale, make sure you know which version is the most current. Sales usually consist of software they're trying to get rid of so watch out for outdated versions.

9) Upgrades

Do you get free upgrades?

Are the upgrades online or mailed to you?

Do you get free patches?

When you buy software that is constantly evolving, it is important to receive upgrades whether they are free or not. Most companies, especially if you download their product online, will give you free periodic upgrades to download. The trick with these is to make sure that you don't upgrade your product to the beta version. Wait for the final release to come out. Beta versions are usually filled with bugs and other problems that your company doesn't need slowing it down.
Another topic that you should be concerned with is security and bug fixes. Not all programs are created equal, and problems do arise after the software's final release. Companies provide patches on their web sites for their specific products that will "patch" up the problems. With the whole world getting more and more cyber savvy, it becomes increasingly important to keep your sensitive information secure. Security patches are specifically designed to do that job and you should keep up to date.

10) Technical Support

Is help available by phone, e-mail, fax, or postal mail?

Are your questions responded to in a timely manner?

Can you access technical support 24 hours a day?

Is the support free? Or is it paid per increment of time? Or per question?

You never know when you'll need tech support, but knowing that it is there when you need it is comforting. Before you buy software, check if they have tech support available. Is it for a limited time only or for the life of the product? You want to find this out before you have any problems, because running into unexpected complications wastes time and money. A sign of good support is it's available 24/7 and you have a few methods of reaching them, like e-mail, phone, and fax. Also, consider the cost of the tech support. If it seems exorbitant, try to find a comparable software program. You know that, at some point, you'll need the support so make sure it will be affordable.

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