How to Make Sure Your Cloud Software Implementation Is a Success
There’s a point in the life cycle of a small business when it outgrows its traditional methods of organization. From using spreadsheets for accounting to using a rolodex to manage contacts, it’s probably time to graduate to something more robust; one of the first things to consider is a cloud-based software solution.
Adopting a cloud-based solution will help streamline processes, but from the outset it might seem like more trouble than its worth. There will most likely be a steep learning curve and there’s a risk of employees sticking to more familiar and traditional methods of organization. With that in mind, how can your small business ensure that its cloud implementation doesn’t end in disaster?
Primarily, you must have a great implementation strategy. While this might sound easy, there are a few things you’ll have to consider. As the head of the organization, you should know your business inside and out. More specifically, you have to know exactly what it needs. On an even more granular level, consider what your employees need and why, and your exact reasons behind a move to the cloud. At the same time, decide how you’re going to measure the success of your implementation.
The next step is choosing the right cloud-based software solution to best suit your business’ needs. It’s important to take into account that the best cloud-based solution on the market may not be the best option for your business.
Before making any big decisions you need to do your research, check out an app’s features, and see if it fits into your business model and what you hope to achieve. Sign up for a free trial and take the software for a test drive. Is it easy to use, or too complicated for your needs? Don’t forget to ask your employees -- the people who will be using the software on a daily basis -- their opinion; they are the ones who will ultimately make or break the adoption process.
Next, take a look at the service provider and what it offers. It’s almost useless having a great CRM if the vendor provides absolutely no support, no regular updates, no resources, and no training. All of these factors are essential for the successful long-term implementation of cloud-based software.
Another huge factor to take into consideration is security; ask the vendor where your data will be stored, who else will have access to it, and how your data will be protected.
Once you’ve found the right solution, it’s time for implementation. At this point, your biggest ally is patience. It’s likely that things won’t go smoothly: the migration period could be slow, you might face resistance from some employees, and inevitably you and your team will make mistakes. However, the pros will eventually begin to outweigh the cons, and before you know it, you’ll have successfully adopted a cloud-based solution for your small business.
