Most businesses are web-based software businesses
Today most businesses will be using web-based software, and you'll struggle to find a truly offline organisation in the UK in 2024. You'll struggle to find one which doesn't have a computer in their office and you’ll struggle to find one which isn’t connected to the internet in some way.
But just how aware of our reliance on web-based software are we?
Most SMEs use specific software platforms to sustain and grow and more and more are investing in and adopting web-based software solutions.
Digital Transformation through Software
A company in a traditional industry will often have a reasonably traditional growth model. Let's use the hypothetical example of an estate agent with a 20-year history. At the start of those 20 years, their day-to-day would have been newspaper adverts, word-of-mouth, shop window posters, and telephone calls. By the end of those 20 years, we'd be talking about Rightmove, email and CRM (Customer Relationship Management), video footage, 360 degree walkthroughs and drone tours – all great examples of web based software.
And while most estate agents will have transitioned to the new digital world, let's think about those who seized the opportunity provided by new technology:
- Using a service like Rightmove immediately gets your customers in touch with a multitude of potential buyers when compared to traditional advertising
- Email and a CRM mean that customers can be provided with up-to-date information and no enquiry or progress gets left unattended
Web-based software is just software
It’s exactly that. No more, no less.
However, the key to unlocking this new value for your business is to partner with someone who understands software ,its applications and its true potential, as well as being at the forefront of new digital technology to be able to ride the wave of its implementation.
Let's look at a second example from Go Tripod's recent history:
While LetCheck had already begun to embrace software in their processes, their leadership team realised that until their digital transformation was complete, it was limiting their ability to penetrate the market. Their original foray into bespoke software solutions was enough to realise the positive impact of custom software development for their business and they embraced the next steps with open arms.
The key element of LetCheck's success is their willingness to understand that even though they're operating in a traditional industry, they can use software to augment that. By having management and staff that are fully engaged with this, and having their operators be IT-savvy, they can incorporate their new bespoke web app into their existing processes flawlessly.
Work on the web
Many businesses, like LetCheck, find themselves in a similar position, where “traditional" on-premises software does not offer the same advantages as web-based software. This can be deployed as part of a cloud strategy, creating high-availability, accessible products which respond quickly to the demands of customers in multiple markets and geographies.
At Go Tripod, we work with our clients to produce software for the web, seamlessly bringing their business to potential customers around the world.
We’d love to help your business do the same!
To learn more about how our web-based software applications can benefit your organisation, simply email hello@gotripod.com, call us on 0845 475 2487 or complete the form below.
Replacing legacy software systems – a positive move for your business
Time moves on. Technology moves on. Your business is growing and adapting to the ever-changing world we work in and sooner or later you’re going to be faced with some serious discussions and decisions to make around aging or legacy software systems and infrastructure.
In this article we’ll take a look at the impact of legacy software systems and the best options to consider when evaluating their upgrade or replacement.
Legacy systems cost your organisation money, expose it to increased risk and can lead to a lack of compliance, but updating IT systems and infrastructure requires a clear technology strategy, an allocated IT budget and the right people to execute the project successfully.
But what exactly is a legacy software system?
Put simply it’s any system used in your business which is outdated, but still in everyday usage. It could be the over-reliance on an old clunky Excel spreadsheet, an archaic bespoke software system which is difficult or impossible to integrate with new web-based applications or ancient hardware which just isn’t up to the job anymore.
Either way, it’s likely to be reducing your overall efficiency and competitiveness by impeding your employee productivity, customer experience and ability to scale up.
However, most businesses have legacy software systems, so you’re not alone.
In fact 74% of manufacturing companies suggested they rely on legacy systems or spreadsheets to get the job done and 95% of respondents in a recent Red Hat Survey believe the modernisation of legacy apps to be essential for the long term health of their businesses.
So, what are the advantages of obsoleting a legacy system?
1. It reduces your IT maintenance budget
To start with there’s the obvious saving on the IT maintenance budget; maintaining legacy systems often eats up around 80% of a company’s IT Budget.
2. Manufacturers may stop supporting old IT systems and infrastructure
At some point the original manufacturer of your platform or hardware will decide to no longer support it. This increases your risk of downtime of critical business processes in the event of a problem, but also increases the risk of exploitation if the manufacturer isn’t providing regular patches and updates.
3. Your legacy platform may not be compliant
Data integrity and compliance is, quite rightly, a huge consideration in the continued viability of any software or hardware systems used by your organisation. Failure to comply can lead to significant fines and loss of reputation, even personal liability if you’re found liable of a data breach.
4. Your business needs to move on
Legacy systems may well be holding your organisation’s growth back. We previously touched on lack of integration with newer technologies, but the impact is wider than that.
You want your customers to have the best user experiences in class when dealing with you, your teams are likely to work more flexibly and remotely now, putting a greater reliance on cloud-based systems and your workflows may need adapting as you scale up and expand your operations.
All equally important reasons to consider moving away from the reliance on legacy software, rather than adapting new processes to old technology – akin to the old ‘square peg, round hole’ adage.
So, we’ve looked at the consequences of retaining legacy IT systems, but what can you do to cost-effectively eradicate them from your business and get yourselves current and compliant?
It’s often a head scratching moment for SMEs and business owners, especially those who may not have a dedicated Chief Technology Officer (CTO) or the in-house skills to scope out exactly what’s needed from an off the shelf or custom software solution and/or formulate an IT strategy.
And that's where we come in...
At Go Tripod we’ve helped a multitude of companies replace legacy software systems, delivering beautifully developed web-based software applications which match business workflows, customer experience requirements and IT budgets.
Even before a single piece of code is written, our dedicated developers will sit with you to learn about your business, discover where it is now and where it needs to be in the future. And if all that IT strategy and knowledge is out of your comfort zone, we can even act as your CTO on an interim or part time basis with our CTO as a Service offering.
It's really important at this stage to scope out your exact needs
It's equally important that your team acquire any new skills they’ll need to use the new system and that business disruption is kept to a minimum during the installation and go-live phases of the project.
We’re masters at that too, with robust, well developed testing processes and the ability to train your key staff as your new custom software solution becomes a reality.
The result? A beautiful, new, current, compliant web enabled app, developed hand in hand with you every step of the way ensuring your business can tick all the boxes it needs to, including:
- Demonstrating data integrity and compliance
- Simplifying your technology infrastructure and replacing outdated systems
- Maximising the flexibility of cloud based technologies for your teams
- Offering your customers a better user experience whether you’re a B2B or B2C business
IT systems are critical to the smooth running of your business. Don’t let old shaky legacy software jeopardise all the blood, sweat and tears you’ve put into getting it to where it is today.
Talk to Go Tripod – we’d love to help!
Seven top tips to digitise your paper trail
Still working with a paper-based system? You're doing your customers and your business a disservice! The transition from paper to digital is not just a trend, but a necessity. Often referred to as Paperless Migration, digitising your paper trail can lead to increased efficiency, reduced clutter, and enhanced security.
As well as the obvious internal advantages of not having filing cabinets full of paper sat around and all the headaches that go with it, moving online offers a plethora of advantages for you and your customers - an enhanced user experience, immediate feedback and the opportunity to integrate with other online systems to name but a few.
So, if your business is still reliant on paper, it’s time to consider moving to a digital system.
Here are our top tips to help you successfully digitise your paper trail:
1. Assess Your Current Situation
Before you start along the road to paperless migration, it’s important to assess your current paper usage and storage. Take an inventory of all the documents you have and categorise them based on importance and usage frequency. This will help you determine which documents need to be digitised first and which can be archived or disposed of. Identifying the types of documents and their relevance will guide you in setting priorities for digitisation.
2. Choose the Right Tools and Software
Selecting the appropriate tools and software is crucial for successful digital transformation. There are various document management systems (DMS) available that can help you scan, store, and organise your digital files. Look for software that offers optical character recognition (OCR) capabilities, which allows scanned documents to be searchable by text. Some popular options include Adobe Acrobat, Evernote, and Google Drive. Ensure the software you choose is compatible with your existing systems and meets your business needs.
3. Develop a Digitisation Strategy
Having a clear digitisation strategy in place is essential. Decide on the scope of your project, whether you plan to digitise all documents or just specific types. Set clear goals and timelines for the process. It’s also important to establish a consistent naming convention and file organisation system to ensure easy retrieval of documents. Develop a workflow for scanning and uploading documents, and assign responsibilities to team members to maintain consistency.
These first three steps are vital in the overall success of any potential project to move away from the reliance on paper-based processes. At Go Tripod we have the experience and expertise from similar projects to help you at every step of the way - an early conversation with us even before step one will help you ensure you're on the right path.
4. Prioritise Security
Digital documents need to be secure from unauthorised access and potential data breaches. Implement robust security measures such as encryption, password protection, and secure backup solutions. Regularly update your software to protect against vulnerabilities and ensure that access to sensitive documents is restricted to authorised personnel only. Additionally, consider using cloud-based storage solutions that offer advanced security features and regular backups to safeguard your data.
5. Train Your Team
For a smooth transition to a paperless system, it’s important to train your team on the new processes and tools. Provide comprehensive training sessions on how to use the document management system (DMS), the importance of following the established protocols, and the benefits of digitisation. Encourage your team to embrace the change and provide ongoing support to address any challenges they may face. A well-informed and cooperative team is key to the success of your company's digital transformation as a whole.
6. Start Small and Scale Up
Digitising all your documents at once can be overwhelming. Start with a small pilot project to test your processes and tools. Choose a specific department or type of document to begin with, and gradually expand the scope of your digitisation efforts. This approach allows you to identify and resolve any issues early on and refine your strategy before scaling up.
7. Monitor and Evaluate
So, in conclusion, once your paperless migration project is underway, continuously monitor its progress and effectiveness. Gather feedback from your team and make necessary adjustments to improve efficiency. Regularly evaluate the system to ensure it meets your business needs and goals. Keep track of any issues that arise and address them promptly to maintain a smooth workflow.
Digitising your paper trail can transform the way your business operates, leading to greater efficiency, better user experiences for both your staff and customers, and enhanced security. By following our top tips, you can successfully transition to a paperless system and enjoy the many benefits it offers.
Start today and take the first step towards a more efficient and sustainable future for your business.
To discuss your needs simply email hello@gotripod.com, call us on 0845 475 2487 or complete the form below.
We'd love to help you with your paperless migration project.