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Business Software
"We can only be effective if we collaborate using systems that assists the speedy application of our skills". - Peter Kemp
Making a choice of software will depend upon many factors including: Industry preference, hardware, budget, legacy purchases and the users. But all businesses require a system or systems that are collaborative and integrated. Businesses are made up of many people in various locations (often mobile), with diverse skills and priorities. Good business systems choice needs meet and consider these.
Often the centre of an organisation is the Office. An office requires systems to collect, analyse, plan and disseminate information. For most offices the telephone and the computer are the key tools.
The Telephone is rapidly integrating with the Computer. This convergence of the two technologies will probably be complete by 2012. IP - Internet Protocol is the new international language over which we will all work. Further, Television and Mobile Phones will also use this IP medium, forming a 3 or 4 way convergence spawning new devices and new possibilities.
The choice of software through which to run your business is often a compromise. Very few businesses are in a position where one piece of software is all that is required to cover all aspects of the business. Interfaces have to be created to jump the gaps.
The basic integrated office suites, pulls together paper based products with web integration and a telephone interface. These popular products such as Microsoft Office, Star Office, OfficeMac and AppleWorks, are the logical starting point from which to build your office system. These often contain the following functions: (using the popular Microsoft products): Document writer as Microsoft Word Information analysis as Microsoft Excel Presentation tools as Microsoft Powerpoint Publishing tools as Microsoft Publisher Electronic Mail, Contact and Diary tools as in Microsoft Outlook
Today, the writers of these products have standardised on set formats. Making the product choice one of personal preference and cost.
Beyond these basic office suite products, further integration of your business can be obtained by creating bespoke databases of information, processes and people. These often uniquely detailed, bespoke parts of the business system can prove difficult to create effectively. Industry specialist help is required to obtain a database product that best matches your business.
Microsoft - Access / Visual Basic
For a small business, particularly those of a more general nature, Microsoft Access is often the tool with which to create a business database. This product is included within the Microsoft Office Professional version. However, many other independent products are available offering cost and time benefits in developing your business system.
With training or specialist help, your business system can be created, and can grow to integrate all the elements of your business. However, database products that are bundled with your office suite often have limitations of size and performance. But many products can be expanded and upgrade. With Microsoft, the popular route Visual Basic and their SQL database engine can be the preferred route.
Accounting
Of course you could attempt to write and integrate an accounting package using your database tool. But many account packages are available at a cost effective price. All accounting software in the UK has to conform to the same set of outputs required by the authorities, so your accountants preference may be the only difference between them. Sage and Intuit Quickbooks are the market leaders in the UK, offering an interfaced solution to your business system.
Dataflair Systems - DIBS
For an integrated solution that cuts down on the number of gaps in the business system, Dataflair offer DIBS - Dataflair Integrated Business System. With a wealth of experience in many markets, Dataflair can create a bespoke database that is truly integrated. The system builds upon a backbone office Accounts, Payroll and Stock system. There are then a selection of front end business systems that are integrated. The key here being the difference between an "Interface" and "Integration". Integration offers far greater flexibility in the movement and collation of data. It offers the ability to "drill down" through the system within the same software package without opening another package and re-keying data selection. In addition, as the whole suite is under your control, bespoke elements can be added quickly to solve particular requirements in any given business scenario. This just is not possible in the traditional interfaced solution.
The Dataflair range:
Manufacture
Retail Motor: Parts, Sales, Service, Rental/Contract Hire, Brokerage, Fleet Maintenance, Fleet Asset Management.
Wholesale
Retail Point of Sale
Membership
Import/Export
More information is available on the following link www.dataflair.co.uk.
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