Way to grow: Select software and services that can change with your business
See how your choices of applications and IT tools—and those that provider them—can help you succeed throughout the life of your business
Published: October 13, 2005
A critical task in running a successful business over time is managing change. Market trends, customer preferences, supplier relationships, availability of labor and skills, and many other elements of your operation are always in flux. Even positive change, such as business growth, can bring challenges. Your business infrastructure and support systems need to be able to adapt to changes. On this page, you’ll find tips and steps to select the right technology to keep your business growing.
On This Page
Don’t let systems hinder growth
You don’t want to impose artificial limitations on your growth. If you started out managing your business with paper-based processes and a basic accounting software, sooner or later you might find that you and your staff spend too much time administrating as opposed to creating value, and that an entry-level software product can’t get you further than across a very low threshold. It may not accommodate more complex accounting procedures, restrict the number of users, or not offer the kind of reporting and insight that help you direct the organization’s success.
Accommodate steady growth on a single technology platform
Imagine starting with a small team and a relatively small operation, using inexpensive, comfortable software tools for accounting and other tasks. As the business becomes more complex and offers more products and services to increasing numbers of customers, it requires more capable accounting and a higher level of management control. You don’t throw out the software you are using—you simply extend it by upgrading to the next level. You can use the same skills and do many things in the same way, only with more impact.
And even later, when your business may encompass several locations or engage in international markets, you take the technology a step further. You continue to practice excellent financial management with an integrated software solution that also helps you run your other lines of business—distribution, manufacturing, sales, human resources, and more.
Establish starting points for efficient financial management
Microsoft offers you the technology, tools, and expertise to grow your business organically and in the way you like. Consider, for example, financial management. For small businesses, Microsoft offers Microsoft Dynamics GP. This program supports all financial management functions that are critical in a small business.
Continue to increase the value of your investment
As Microsoft business management software accommodates the growth of your business, some things nonetheless remain the same. You and your employees can operate within the same software environment, building on existing skills. Microsoft Dynamics products integrate with Microsoft Office System applications, so business information is easily available for communications, documents, spreadsheets, reporting, and other tasks.
Throughout the life of your business, you experience the powerful support from Microsoft and can tap into the resources of the Microsoft partner network. More than likely, for any given need you will be able to find several partners who understand your business requirements and can design the most effective technology for the best results. Finally, the return on your investments in technology, skills, and business processes continues to increase the more you grow and accomplish.
Let your business fulfill its potential
If you need to comply with regulatory requirements such as those of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Microsoft offerings and complementary products developed by Microsoft partners can assist you in realizing compliance cost-effectively and efficiently.
Allow for scalability in all lines of business
Other lines of business can benefit in similar ways from the scalability of Microsoft Dynamics technology. As you outperform the competition and grow your business, you may need to manage a larger sales and service team, support a steadily increasing number of customers with a high quality of service, and respond quickly to market trends. At that point, you might want to make a smooth transition to—for example—Microsoft Dynamics CRM for profitable, flexible customer relationship management.
Take a holistic technology approach to continuous improvement
The Microsoft technology at work in your organization is firmly rooted within the context of the Microsoft technology platform with continuous improvement and enhancement for all products. As the solid ground layer of your business management solution, the Microsoft Servers delivers the most effective and reliable operating system for your technology, as well as other products that boost your ability to succeed no matter what stage you find yourself in. Microsoft SQL Server 2005 can be the database system that houses your growing stores of business information and keeps them accessible. Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 extends your infrastructure with capabilities for managing communications, collaboration, and other business processes.
What to do next
You can begin making use of Microsoft business management software at any phase in your business lifecycle. If you are not certain how to start evaluating your business software requirements, Microsoft and the Microsoft partners can help you establish a reliable roadmap for the business management infrastructure that’s best for you. You will set goals and identify your business requirements. We can help you translate those requirements into practical business technology that can support and enhance the accomplishment of your objectives no matter how far you go. Contact us for more information.
