Business Management Software

Free Advice is Generally Worth What You Pay for it...

My name is Greg Cook. I'm a CPA. Now I know that if you're an architect looking for business management software, generally the best person to ask is another architect. If you're an engineer looking for software to run your business with, ask another engineer, right?

Many businesses have relied on advice from their accountant when it comes to purchasing the right business software, only to end up with an over-priced solution that requires an accounting degree to run. I know this from twenty five years experience.

I'm going to take off my accountant hat for a moment and tell you what I know about choosing the right business management software. These critical decision factors are only "common sense" thought processes that you would or should apply when making a buying decision, whether it's a car, cell phone, musical instrument or, well you get the idea.

The first and foremost thing a business owner or manager needs from his business management software is information, so the first criteria should be, will this software provide the information I need. Secondly, the owner or manager needs this information in a timely manner. You should have an in-house person with the ability to run your report at any time. You don't want to have to wait until Friday or the first of next month for your accountant to come out and print out a report for you, (which by the way, is more costly).

The third priority for your business management software should be concerned with the old "what if it breaks, what do I do?" scenario. Compare it to a car. I have a Ford truck that I use for different things like taking my beagle for a ride on the weekends. If that thing breaks, there's dozens of places close by, where I can take it for repairs. If it needs a part, they're in stock or close by as well. On the other hand, I also have a Porsche Cayenne. If it breaks, there are only two places within 100 miles that I can take it for work. And if it needs a part, there's a good chance it will have to be ordered and may take a few days.

Lastly, you should consider what will happen if your mechanic quits or dies. Will you be able to find a replacement at a reasonable price?

Executive Summary

Good Business Management Software must be adequate and meet your information needs
The software should be user friendly and not require outsourced operators
Support should be readily available and at an affordable cost
The program should be popular enough that you don't have to go three states away to find someone that has first hand knowledge of it.

I would like to close in saying that if you had told me that I would be endorsing QuickBooks by Intuit, fifteen years ago, I would have laughed out loud and in your face. I can remember telling clients, "you don't want to run your business on software that you can buy at Walmart". Actually, that's exactly what you want to do, if it's feasible. Intuit has made many improvements (each year) to their programs. In addition, it's fairly easy to find people at a reasonable wage that have experience using the software. And if you need to train current staff, there are many sources and outlets available to get hands on skills.

There you have it. My straight-forward, free advice about buying business management software, but it's disclaimer time. I have to tell you that if you click one of the links on this page and buy software, I will be paid a small commission. But you will get your software at my affiliate discount, which isn't even available if you went directly to the makers website. Get Up To 20% Off QuickBooks Accounting Software Products + Free Shipping