Enterprise Software: How Is It Different from Other Software?
Enterprise software is also scalable and can be used for a range of activities, including supply chain management, invoicing, sales and much more. Find out more about enterprise software and what makes it different.
Unless you keep right up to date with technological developments, it can be hard to understand all the latest trends and terminology. This is especially true in the fast-paced world of software development services, where it seems each week delivers us another new concept to get our heads around.
One such new term and concept is enterprise application software, known as EAS. You might have heard this term mentioned in conversation or in blogs about software development, but the name alone is not enough to explain what it is and what it does. Nor is it clear how this differs in terms of development from other types of software, with which you might be more familiar.
In general, EAS is developed on a large scale to try and support problems faced by an entire organisation. It is a type of software that allows for different user roles, defining actions that these users can and can't perform.
This might mean that in one company, a salesperson can record client information and sales leads, management staff can track performance and sales targets and customer service teams can track and tackle client issues. And they would all do this using the same EAS platform.
So, in this sense this is not software that is aimed to help sole traders or small business, but rather has been designed to overhaul the way that larger organisations operate. EAS is more suited to businesses where several distinct departments, with different roles, operations and functions, are all working together towards the same goal.
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So just what is it that enterprise software can do that ordinary business software can't? The most obvious example is that it is able to display, manipulate and store large amounts of complex data. It will then support and automate the processes that use this data. The software can be scalable and is generally critical to the mission of the enterprise. There is also the ability to interface with any other software the enterprise might be using in other areas of their work. Enterprise software is also generally comprised of a suite of computer programs, tools and apps.
Enterprise software is commonly used in a number of key business areas, including order processing, procurement, scheduling, information management, energy management and accounting.
How does it differ from normal software?
The software that businesses use is divided into two categories. The first is systems software that runs the machines and computers that are used in general operations. The second is application software, which is the software we use on a day to day basis to create documents, spreadsheets, graphics and various other tools of business.
Application software that is only used for one specific purpose, say a word processor such as Microsoft Word, is not considered an enterprise level software. Most businesses will rely on a variety of these single-use software to carry out their work. But they are not interlinked and not business critical.
Enterprise software, on the other hand, works across multiple departments and assists the business in several areas. It is generally customisable to each specific organisation, which allows them to pick and choose which aspects of the software are most useful and applicable.
EAS is also typically owned outright, meaning that owners have sole charge of it and it is not being drained by other users. This also allows them to customise more easily, with in-house developers or external support making any necessary changes. It is typically hosted on physical servers and relies on the internet for effective use.
Enterprise software can also come with cloud storage, meaning that you don't need vast amounts of computing power to store all the information you need. This is beneficial because it means you don't need to invest in assembling and maintaining servers.
About 65% of time, ERP development budgets go over because the system needs modifications to improve usability. But companies realize this only after the implementation has started.
There are many reasons why businesses should use enterprise software. First, it lets you store important data in a usable and convenient way. So, in businesses that have complex order systems or customer queries, you can stay on top of everything over a range of departments.
EAS also automates the customer service process for all employees, meaning you can streamline the customer service process. This saves time and energy across the business, and allows you to respond in good time to any customer.
EAS is also scalable, meaning that no matter the size of the business, it can work. It can then grow with you as an organisation, meaning there is no future upheaval. It also means that if your IT capabilities are reduced, it can be scaled down without reducing service.
EAS also keeps customer data secure, as most software comes with highly sophisticated security measures. Keeping customer data secure is not just important for your reputation, it is also an essential financial priority as well.
Enterprise software lets you see how the whole business is running in real time. Waiting months for data is no longer an option for most businesses, so you need to keep up to speed with what's going on. That means having access to reliable and accurate data about the recent performance of the company.
EAS also lets businesses of all shapes and sizes cut costs. This will free up the budget to be used in other areas. Of course, there are initial costs to pay to the software development service provider, and the setting up process may cause some disruption, but in the long term it will have an overwhelmingly positive effect on your business. It will standardise the way you work across the organisation and make sure that everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet.
Whether it's invoicing or supply chain management, enterprise software can change the way you do business and have a positive effect in every department. If you realise that customers are long-term assets and that keeping them happy is essential for your future success, then enterprise software is a good option.
Perception System is a custom software development company and consulting firm based in San Jose, USA, focusing on multiple software development services, software maintenance and testing. Since 2001, we have been carrying digital transformation to mid-sized and sizable enterprises. Contact us now to see how we can help you.