Top Business Management Software Options
As a startup grows and develops, so does its needs. You may have started with spreadsheets and manual documentation, but that will no longer cut it. This is why you should consider upgrading to a business management software service.
Using business management software is a foolproof way to meet your company goals. You can add and monitor current projects, employees can enter their billable hours, documenting becomes easier and you can even create a knowledge hub for customers.
Let's take a look at four popular options to consider.
1. Trello - The Best for Start-ups
We’ve all heard of Trello, but this management software is worth the hype. This software will keep your team organized if you run a small business. The way this software works is that you create different boards, add new tasks to them, add details or attachments to each task ticket, set a deadline and assign those tasks to other team members.
Trello notifies you which tasks are behind schedule and lets your team easily collaborate on them to get them sorted. You can also invite different team members to join specific boards and keep everything organized by having fixed boards for different projects. One downside to this software is that its primary purpose is project management and only a little else.
Pros
- Trello is free to use.
- Easy learning curve.
- Numerous third-party integration.
- Intuitive mobile app that works just as well as the desktop version.
Cons
- It can become overwhelming for larger teams.
- Limited storage.
2. Bitrix24 - The Best for Collaboration
Bitrix24 allows you to create cross-department workgroups for different projects. With this, all the data is stored in one location that all team members can access and easily collaborate. With this feature, project files don’t have to be transferred back and forth, and there’s little chance of miscommunication.
This is also a great software option for managers to gain insight into projects, set custom deadlines for different tasks, easily assign team members different roles and review the real-time performance of all the projects. This is a highly versatile software that any team could benefit from. However, the downside is that the free plan has limited features.
Pros
- Automations are easy to set up.
- Team members can communicate via comments or video calls on Bitrix24.
- Easily create tasks and view their progress on a single dashboard.
- An abundance of HR tools to schedule vacations, create reports and track employee timesheets.
Cons
- The mobile app isn’t as developed as the desktop version.
- Many features like recurring tasks and project templates are not available in the free version.
3. HubSpot - The Best for CRM
HubSpot is a fan-favorite customer relationship management (CRM) software. It assists marketing, sales, content management and customer support teams. Both free and premium versions are available, but unlike many other business management software, HubSpot’s free version is packed with useful features that should be enough for startups and small businesses.
With the HubSpot CRM database, you can store customers’ and prospects’ information in one place, eliminating the need for spreadsheets. You also get customized dashboards so you can view all of your projects, review team performance and analyze the progress. Task management is also made easy with HubSpot—you can create tasks, schedule them, track them and communicate with customers regarding those tasks through email or calls.
Pros
- Packed with useful training material, including webinars and videos.
- You can review the sales pipeline in real-time.
- Easily live chat with customers.
- Integrated with 70+ integration partners.
- Free email templates.
Cons
- Premium plans will leave your wallet weeping.
- You can’t make calls through the free version.
4. NetSuite Global Business Management - The Best for Remote Work
NetSuite is the ideal management software for companies that have mostly remote employees or have international teams. The software supports 27 languages and 190 currencies. Along with that, the software updates records and documentation according to country-specific accounting requirements, like taxes.
This enterprise resource planning solution allows you to automate workflow processes, has a central dashboard to review the financial and operational progress of all the projects, and manage resources while calculating expenses.
Pros
- Use different tools simultaneously with the multiple-screen views feature.
- In-depth tracking of customers' purchasing cycle.
- Configure the software to suit your company's needs.
Cons
- Not all features are permanent and are occasionally switched out for other features.
- Mobile app isn’t the best.
- Process documentation could be easier.
Team Management Made Easy with Business Management Software
A business management solution allows you to easily break up data silos and hold all your data in a central location, which is easy to track and review. Software is beneficial for employees as they enhance productivity by streamlining processes, making collaboration amongst teams easier and flexible and automating everyday tasks. Additionally, managers can gain insight into performance and figure out how to better manage resources.
The business management software options listed above are the best in their specific categories and fulfill different needs. However, there are plenty of others on the market that might align with your company needs if these one don’t fit the bill. All-in-all, a business management software is a must for any growing business that’s striving for success.