Smooth Software Rollouts: A Quick Guide for Small Businesses

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As your small business grows and technology advances, software rollouts become inevitable. Many software applications make life as a business owner a whole lot easier, as tools are available to help with everything from running payroll and tracking employee time to managing customer relationships and organizing workflow. And while rolling out new software systems can be a major headache for you and your whole team, this guide will help you to overcome some commonly faced challenges and plan a smoother software rollout!

 

Why is it necessary to roll out new software systems?

Rolling out software is a task dreaded by employees and employers alike, but every business must be prepared to implement new technological solutions as it grows as a company and begins to automate more and more of its processes. And while change is rarely easy, new software tools can help to boost productivity, cut costs, and improve job performance.

As your small business grows and enters the mid-size market, for instance, there’s one type of software you can’t afford to go without: bookkeeping and business management software. QuickBooks offers an easy-to-use ERP business software for medium-sized businesses, allowing you to perform critical business functions such as running advanced reports, processing payroll, and managing inventory. Traditional enterprise resource planning (ERP) software is oftentimes costly and complex, but QuickBooks Enterprise products are perfect for small and medium-sized businesses. 

 

How do I roll out a new software system?

Introducing your team to a new software tool is a huge undertaking, but it’s oftentimes necessary in order to grow, manage, and organize your business. So how do you roll out new technology as seamlessly as possible? Here are some tips for small to midsize business owners:

• Develop a software rollout plan. Knowing what should be included in a rollout plan isn’t always clear, but it’s typically best to think about how and when you’ll implement the new technology into your workplace and train your employees. Which training documents will you need to bring your employees up to speed? How much time will be needed to plan the rollout and launch of the new technology?
• Consider employee needs. Since your employees will be the primary users of the new software, it’s important to understand their needs and how they’ll be utilizing these applications. Think about some of the challenges your employees may face and how you can help your team to overcome them.
• Gather employee feedback. After rolling out a new software tool, take the time to gather feedback from your employees to get an idea of how the technology is working for them. Use internal forums, questionnaires, Slack, or ask for feedback during team meetings and face-to-face interactions. 

 

How do you find good people to hire for your next rollout?

As you roll out a new software application, software implementation consultants can use their product knowledge and expertise to help your organization in meeting its goals and expectations — and solve issues as they arise. Some software applications can take a year or longer to fully implement, and professionals such as these can help to ease the transition. 

As you prepare for your rollout, Jill Barson Gilbert of CIO offers some tips on finding the right software implementation consultant for your project. Gilbert recommends starting the recruiting process by assembling a small selection team made up of IT or business specialists, as these employees can help to establish the selection criteria, issue a Request for Proposal (RFP), and find qualified consulting firms. 

Once you’ve implemented new technology into your workplace, you may need to bring on an additional team member or two — especially if your small business is growing. Upwork is a great starting point if you’re looking to bring on freelancers, or you can use job boards, social media platforms, LinkedIn, and professional association websites to find employees. 

 

Plan Your Next Software Rollout with Ease

Software implementation is rarely easy, but the more you can plan for the rollout and involve your employees — the smoother the process will be. A well-planned software rollout will be the key to your success!

 

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