How to Select the Perfect Application Software for Your Business Needs

Business operations have changed so much with the emergence of new tech that old-school manual tasks already seem like a vague dream of the shady past.

Yet, these were standard until only a decade ago or so, which means that technology is developing way faster than humans…. which is the core of many helpful business practices.

Keeping in mind that some vocations are benefiting from new tech considerably more than others (specifically overlooked are frontline workers), let’s take a look at the application software that can benefit literally everyone in an organization.

Software, Apps and Application Software

Before we dive into recommendations, let’s set the basics straight.

First and foremost, terminology can be somewhat confusing. We’ll hereby explain software, apps, applications, and application software.

The software collects data and info and utilizes them to make a computer system work. An app is a type of software program that assists users in performing a specific activity. Application software is a type of software program that assists users in performing a variety of activities, notably related to personal, educational, or business purposes.

Understanding application software is critical when choosing the best solution for your business and teams, so here are some guidelines to help you get started.

How to Choose Application Software for Your Teams

There are businesses and businesses and there are teams and teams. Certainly, small businesses can’t afford the expenditures large ones can but that doesn’t mean costs should be the only, exclusive criterion.

For starters, think about your specific team needs. Which areas are (or are likely to become) problematic? What is the core of the issue? Is it poor management or poor communication? Poor engagement? Overwhelming deadlines? Something else?

Once you know the answer to this question, you’ll know which type of application software to look up.

Generally speaking, all businesses will benefit from team management, project management, and communication apps, but not all businesses will pick the same product.

That’s because not every team is the same as the other and also because each team has its preferred special features. Obviously, this should be the second criterion when picking specific application software. What does one solution have that another one addressing the same issue doesn’t?

Closely linked to the latter is the ease of use. Even the finest of solutions will fall short of a business’ expectations if the employees don’t know how to use them or if it takes them too much time to get used to them.

Next on, consider the implementation and integration. Only consider the solutions that combine well with the existing software your business is deploying. They must be compatible with every employee’s device, too.

Finally, consider your budget. How much can you spend on an app? How many apps do you need? Think in terms of annual or monthly subscriptions. As a rule, annual subscription plans are cheaper than monthly plans but — believe it or not — some small businesses simply cannot afford too many paid apps all at once, especially when they’re just starting out on a tight budget.

Keeping all these criteria in mind, we’ll hereby recommend only the apps that are absolutely necessary for every business.

eLearning Solutions

Not one of the first choices for many businesses, eLearning is actually one of the most sought-after perks by employees.

For companies striving to set up a culture of learning, application software that helps employees deepen their knowledge and gradually reach their professional goals (advancement included) are an absolute must.

eLearning solutions are numerous and diverse. That’s why no one can single out the best choice: businesses need to apply the abovementioned criteria to decide on which one to pick.

Team Management and Project Management

Team management and project management solutions are what every business — regardless of its scope of operations — needs.

That’s why these solutions are omnipresent, with so many variations available that it’s a real headache to pick the right one!

Here, in particular, businesses should consider ease of use, special features (particularly customization), and budget.

Where to Next?

Other solutions may come to mind. Communications application software, in particular, should be well-chosen and easy to use. This category has been omitted here because there are so many popular free solutions (Skype, Zoom, Slack, Google Meet…) that everyone can get started in a matter of minutes.

Another popular option is the Microsoft Suite (Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), which simplifies workflows by a long shot.

Finally, pick the browsers that suit your strategy best. There are many options here indeed, including the most popular ones like Chrome, Firefox, MS Edge, Safari, and so on.

Keep in mind, however, that it is literally impossible to present a unique combination of solutions suitable for every business on the planet.

The criteria listed above should be your starting point. Couple it with your own research and customer reviews for the best results.