Bespoke Software for Enterprise

• They’re built around your specific business processes from scratch no matter how complex or nuanced those processes may be
• They're built to scale and readily able to support growth in users, data and operational complexities
• They’re often capable of automating complex workflows to reduce manual input, duplication of work and human error
• They’re designed for maximum performance even with heavy usage and large volumes of data as this is anticipated in advance
• They provide extensive reporting and analytical capabilities to promote more strategic decision making
• They're usually heavily secured with strong security protocols to protect sensitive data
• They can be built with extensive integration capabilities to connect to other existing systems - bespoke or otherwise

Key challenges in enterprise organisations

There are limitless challenges that might be faced by enterprise organisations, some more common than others and just because you might not have experienced a specific challenge yet...it doesn't mean that won't happen further down the line! Let's take a look at some of the most predictable challenges you can expect to face at some point as an enterprise organisation:

Software that doesn't communicate

Possibly one the most frustrating examples is software that doesn't communicate with other software. Let’s say you have seven different platforms each of which are used for a specific function or workflow CRM, finance, HR, project management, reporting, operations etc but none of them are properly integrated. Data then has to be manually transferred between systems meaning information becomes duplicated and/or incongruous and your staff waste their already limited time switching between said systems just to complete simple tasks. 

Bespoke software can solve this by acting as a standalone central hub or by integrating your existing systems allowing data to flow automatically between them. 

Lot's of manual effort

Another common challenge found across enterprise organisations is that of manual processes. It's scary to think how much time is spent on data entry, report generation, managing workflows and moving information across different platforms especially when these kinds of tasks can be done automatically. Not only is it an unnecessary drain on your employees time and subsequently - your profits - it's also a hotbed for mistakes and inconsistencies that are pretty much inevitable for us as human beings.

Thankfully, custom software can help you take full advantage of any and all automation opportunities within your business. Triggers can be set to create actions such as report generation, task assignment and notifications based on predefined rules. Your workflows can be standardised with built in approvals and validations and scheduled processes including data syncing across your various systems can run in the background whilst your staff get on with more pressing priorities.

Aversion to change

In any organisation with lot's of employees, it's reasonable to expect that at least some of them will not be the biggest fans of change. Introducing new processes, systems and ways of working can cause real issues in the workplace and leave employees feeling uncertain in their roles because what they have been taught in the past, has now been taken away and replaced. This can in turn negatively impact motivation, efficiency and overall performance across the business. Not ideal right?

The beauty of bespoke software is that it can be built to replicate existing processes and workflows with no changes at all if necessary. If you have a process that has worked for 20 odd years, why change it when you can just digitalise it? That way, your staff have the familiarity and experience working to tried and tested methods with the benefits of it being done via a single piece of software rather than manually or via ten different systems.

Legacy systems

Yup, you know the one. 20 years old, falling at the (digital) seams but such a perfect fit for your business. Therein lies the dilemma. It's probably costing you a fortune to maintain especially if it's enterprise grade, all your employees know it inside and out and it captures your workflows perfectly yet you know it's on it's last legs and that any time now, performance might suffer or it might just stop working altogether...

By choosing bespoke, your system can be rebuilt using more modern technologies that will boost performance and quell the anxiety around it going kaput with exactly the same processes, workflows and even UI your long standing system had. There doesn't have to be any changes aside from using more up to date, robust technologies.

Inconsistent processes

Already alluded to above but in enterprise organisations where there are numerous different departments, you can bet your bottom dollar that whilst some departments carry out the same processes, they have different ways of doing so. This might be as nuanced as how the approvals process is managed or it could be fundamental differences in the steps taken to get a result - whatever the difference - it can be problematic and lead to inefficiencies, inconsistent data and irritated employees.

Bespoke software can standardise any and all of your business processes so your staff are all singing from the same hymn sheet, workflows are consistent and data is captured in a uniform way leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Types of enterprise software

Enterprise organisations are inherently complex with multiple departments performing multiple functions - often in multiple ways. Because of this, they often use a range of software systems across the business to support the varied needs and tasks of each team rather than one big system. Here, we take a look at some of the most common software solutions found in these organisations:

Core business systems

• CRM (Customer Relationship Management) - Tailored to match the organisation’s sales journey, customer lifecycle and relationship model with bespoke pipelines, automations and integrations into marketing and service systems
• ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) - Often heavily customised to reflect unique operational workflows integrating finance, procurement, operations and supply chain and accommodating business specific rules, approvals and reporting structures
• WFM (Workforce Management) - Designed around the company's staffing model allowing for bespoke scheduling logic, shift patterns, capacity planning and integration with payroll and operational demand signals where required

 Finance & Ops

• Accounting & Financial Management - Used for various financial tasks including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, payroll and invoices often with customised reporting structures, multi entity management and bespoke forecasting that reflect how the business measures performance
• Procurement - Manages some or all tasks related to procurement and might include bespoke approval chains, supplier frameworks and contract management processes that reflect internal governance and vendor relationships
• Supply Chain Management - Designed to adapt to unique logistics networks, inventory strategies and demand planning models, often integrating tightly with ERP and external partner platforms

Data & Analytics

• Business Intelligence (BI) - Systems that can be configured with business specific KPIs, dashboards and visualisations that suit the audience to support decision making at different levels of the organisation
• Data Warehouses/Data Lakes - Common in enterprise to store vast amounts of data structured around the organisation’s data model, consolidating fragmented sources into a single, usable foundation
• Analytics & AI platforms – Models and algorithms designed around proprietary data allowing for predictive insights and automation specific to the business

Employee & Internal Systems

• Human Resource Management (HRM) - Critical for enterprise organisations with lots of staff, these systems are used for employee lifecycle management including recruitment, onboarding, performance reviews and learning with configurations reflecting organisational structure and policies
• Knowledge Management Systems (KMS) - These systems are used to store and organise internal knowledge, documentation and processes with custom taxonomies, permissions and content structures. They may also hold mandatory employee training courses for onboarding and compliance.

Content & Document Management

• Enterprise Content Management (ECM) - Manages documents and content across the organisation with bespoke classification, retention policies and levels of access control
• Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) - Used to manage contract creation, negotiation, approvals and renewals with customised workflows and relevant legal/compliance checks
• Digital Asset Management (DAM) - Not as common as some of the software we've mentioned these systems are used to store and organise the company's digital assets with tailored metadata structures, usage rights and approval workflows

Bespoke v off-the-shelf enterprise software

How can we help?

If, like many enterprise organisations you're at a turning point with your existing systems and they are becoming a hindrance rather than a help - we can help you find a way forward. All of our software is built around your real processes, systems and ways of working and starts with our developers getting a thorough understanding of where things are becoming problematic then working out how to bring everything together into something more connected and scalable.

This might mean replacing your many different systems with a single platform, integrating your legacy systems with those that are newer so data actually talks to each other for once or automating your key workflows to remove repetitive, manual and downright mind numbing work. Whatever it is, our Nottingham based development team have the skills, experience and technical finesse to make it happen.