The goal of Integrated software is to combine many different software features into one program. There has been an increasing emphasis on doing this in recent years and it’s not always the same launch pad. It can be a suite of programs sold together in the same package.
According to Forbes.com, employers in the U.S. believe that integrated software has increased efficiency amongst their employees by at least 20-40%.
Common examples of integrated software that have changed our lives include Microsoft Office, Apple Works, and the Adobe design packages. Integrated software offers a range of different benefits to businesses.
We explore some of these benefits in this article.
1. Cutting Business Costs and Raising Revenue
The main advantage to integrated software is the reduction of business costs. For a few hundred dollars, you can get the same number of features as many single software packages. A business of any size that has to purchase multiple software types will see that a significant investment will need to be made.
As well as cutting business costs, there’s the potential for raising the amount of revenue brought in. In many cases, there are more features with integrated software packages allowing the business to do more, plus many companies see a large increase in productivity.
2. The Impression You Give
We already know having multiple software types in one place will increase productivity, but this has an impact on the impression you give off. The increase in efficiency could give you an advantage over a competitor.
If a potential client is busy weighing up the pros and cons of each business they want to work with, the increase in efficiency that integrated software provides could be the telling factor. It could mean the difference between winning that next contract and losing out to another firm.
3. Reduce Tech Infrastructure
The advantage of combining two or three pieces of software into one also reduces the need for tech infrastructure. This is beneficial for a number of reasons.
First, you’re guaranteed to experience less downtime. Let’s say you need four pieces of software to carry out your job. All it takes is one of them to experience problems and your business is instantly paralyzed.
And the chances of failure are higher because there are additional pieces of software. It’s basic mathematics.
Not only can paralysis of your business impact your ability to carry out your job, it will cost you more. You’ll need to have a support infrastructure to manage software problems as and when they occur.
Are the Efficiency Benefits Alone Worth It?
We’ve spoken many times of the efficiency differences between integrated and non-integrated software technologies, but are they worth it?
The answer is unequivocally yes. By investing in integrated software, you’re keeping your business safer. The risk of downtime is largely reduced and there’s a high chance that you’ll win additional business by demonstrating you use integrated software.
Overall, integrated software should be the main priority of any business. Increase efficiency and you’ll enhance your company’s future.