Quality

What makes a great software company?

Several things make a great software company. First and foremost, they have amazing products that solve real-world problems. Secondly, they have a team of passionate and skilled individuals who constantly innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible. Lastly, they have an excellence culture permeating every aspect of their organization.

When you combine all of these factors, you get an exceptional company and one that can change the world. That’s what makes a great software company.

So how does a company avoid SaaB (software-as-a-barrier)?

Technology must align with business goals;
Users should have a say in the design and development process;
IT must focus on simplicity and ease of use.

By definition, technology that doesn’t support business goals is a barrier. Users can’t be an afterthought—they should be involved from the outset to ensure the software meets their needs. And IT must prioritize simplicity to avoid bogging down users with unnecessary features and functionality. By following these guidelines, companies can avoid SaaB and create technology that enables their businesses rather than impeding them.

A Great Software Company Will Keep Things Simple

When it comes to software, companies often fall into the trap of thinking that more is better. They add features and functionality, complicating the user experience in the process. But more isn’t always better—sometimes, less is more.

Simplicity should be a key goal for any company developing software. The user experience should be intuitive and easy to use; the interface should be clean and uncluttered, and the functionality should focus on the core task. When software is simple, users are more likely to use it, and companies are more likely to see a return on their investment.

It can be tempting for companies to try to do everything with their software, but it’s important to resist that urge. Focus instead on the central needs of the business and build from there. By keeping it simple, companies can avoid the complication trap and create software that works.

When it comes to software development, most companies operate linearly: they develop an idea, build it, and then release it to users. But this approach is no longer effective in today’s fast-paced, constantly-evolving world.

Instead, companies need to adopt a more agile approach to software development. This means building software in small increments, releasing it frequently, and gathering user feedback at each stage. The company should then use this feedback to inform the next development phase, creating a continuous cycle.

Getting Technology Out of the Way

As a product leader, it’s your job to ensure that technology gets out of the way of business users and doesn’t get in their way. You can start by ensuring that your team understands the user experience and prioritizes it in product development. Then, you can work on simplifying complex processes so that users can get their jobs done quickly and efficiently without even thinking about the software they’re using.

When technology gets out of the way, business users can focus on what they do best: their jobs. And that’s good for everyone.

The user experience should be a priority in the product development process.
Complex processes should be simplified to make it easy for users to get their jobs done.
Technology should never get in the way of business users.

Getting to Software-as-an-Enabler

These companies have disrupted their respective markets by recognizing that the customer’s business process is more important than any individual software application. They start with a clean slate and re-engineer the process to be as efficient and effective as possible, using best practices and industry standards whenever possible. Then they build the software around that process. This contrasts with traditional enterprise software vendors who start with their product and then try to fit the customer’s business process into it, often resulting in complex, inefficient workflows.

What’s driving this shift? The consumerization of enterprise software. Employees are increasingly accustomed to using easy-to-use, consumer-grade applications in their personal lives and expect the same simplicity and functionality at work. This is putting pressure on enterprises to adopt similar solutions to remain competitive.

At the same time, the rise of cloud computing has made it possible for companies of all sizes to access enterprise-grade software without making a large upfront investment in hardware and infrastructure. This has leveled the playing field, making it easier for startups and small companies to compete with larger enterprises.

Combining these two trends is why we’re seeing more and more companies adopting horizontal, cloud-based software solutions. These solutions are typically much easier to use and require less customization than traditional enterprise software, making them a good fit for companies that want to improve their efficiency and competitiveness.

If your company is looking to adopt a horizontal, cloud-based software solution, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Make sure the solution is a good fit for your business by carefully evaluating your business processes and needs.
Look for a vendor that has a proven track record of success with similar companies.
Be prepared to invest in training and change management to help employees transition to the new system.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your company can take advantage of the benefits of horizontal, cloud-based software solutions.

At Next Idea Tech, we understand the importance of finding the perfect match for your company and long-term arrangements are a priority. Contact us today to learn more about our IT staffing solutions!

Zak Elmeghni