Changing from paperwork to digital processes is a great first step for a growing business. You often start with one process, such as accounting software to help with payroll, and once you see the difference it makes, begin the process of implementing more software for different purposes. But what starts as a way to increase efficiency quickly becomes a juggling act of multiple platforms. Having your business across different software is just as segmented, time-consuming and prone to error as paperwork. Which is where integration comes in to save the day.

Software integration allows you to link your systems and access all your information from a single place. So whether you’ve already got some software or about to take things digital, look into what integration options are available to you and what kind of benefits you’ll gain as a result.

Save on time

Having multiple platforms that don’t speak to one another can cost you the same, if not more, in time than the manual processes you’re replacing it with. You and your team end up having to flick between websites and apps just to get a couple of jobs done. Not only that but with every new system you install, your team need to be onboarded and learn how to use it. Integration allows you to view all your information at once for easy comparison. For example, integrating job or project management software with accounting software means you can process payroll quickly as you can instantly see how much staff have worked. It allows for a more streamlined and seamless way to get jobs done so you can use your time more effectively with job or project management software.

Achieve better teamwork

One of the biggest grievances small businesses have is staff retention. With so much competition on the market, employees are quick to jump ship if their workplace makes their role needlessly complicated. Nobody wants to stay back fiddling with a bunch of software that they’re forced to use. Having software integration gives your business that professional touch and also demonstrates that you care about your team’s wellbeing. You aren’t just putting in the cheapest software for the sake of ticking a box, you’re actively improving your projects management with solutions that help staff do their job. This, in turn, helps build stronger and longer-lasting relationships with your employees and reduce the likelihood of turnover.

Improve customer service

A customer calls and wants to know when one of your staff will be on-site, and they also want to know if your system has received their last payment. You now have to log in to your GPS software, search the job, find out the ETA, open a new window, log in to your accounting software, search the job again and determine whether a payment is in the system. Meanwhile, the customer is on the other end losing patience as you say “sorry won’t be a moment” over and over. Integration means all those steps become just a few mouse clicks. You can deliver a higher level of customer service and relay information to your clients with ease. It’s more professional and gives clients that extra visibility that instils long-lasting trust.

Increase operational efficiency

Small businesses wait an average of 38 days to be paid, despite most invoices requiring payment to be made within 30 days. It’s really easy for things to fall through the cracks when data is segmented across different platforms. A job was completed, but was an invoice created and has it been processed yet? Your staff submitted their timesheets, so why is payroll late? A customer signed off on a job, but where is the initial quote? Software integration means that these issues become a thing of the past. It allows you to easily upload and sync data across your software platforms to make operations run smoother. Nothing goes missing and everything is where it needs to be so you can stress less.

You don’t need to be scared of getting more solutions across your business. There are many digital platforms available to help businesses of all shapes and sizes. But with all your information in one place, thanks to integration, your business is equipped to complete jobs more efficiently, deliver better customer service, communicate effectively and in turn, grow faster.

So don’t wait, integrate.

Want to say goodbye to paperwork? Geo is your answer. It’s easy to use, integrates with Xero & Quickbooks is FREE to try for 30 days.

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