software rollout
When you are thinking about introducing new software to your company, there is always one big thing to consider: how to roll it out. The rollout process is often a complex one. If new software isn’t introduced to your workforce with plenty of wiggle room and ample employee training, you could set your business up for disaster. Fortunately, your software rollout doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Today, Seeker Solution shares three tips for planning a successful software rollout, no matter which industry you may be in.
1. Get Your Finances in Order
What does your current bookkeeping and accounting setup look like? Is it up to par, and will it be stable enough to handle a software rollout and sudden potential growth? As your company moves toward the mid-sized market, you will need to ensure that your financial health is on track and that you are using the best possible tools to make that happen.
Business software like QuickBooks Enterprise or Xero are great options for an all-in-one financial management solution. These choices are robust and easy to work with, allowing you to access full workflow and information at a glance. You’ll also want to secure your digital assets with data protection software for your business. Solutions like cloud backup and cybersecurity software are huge assets when it comes to diverting ransomware and other malicious attacks.
2. Communicate Effectively
Gathering input from your staff will make the actual software rollout easier, and prior to implementation you should schedule a trial run. However, putting together the necessary feedback during the mock session won’t be successful without excellent communication. Practical, crystal-clear, and consistent communication channels should be present from the
very start of the software planning process. Throughout the process, management must communicate why the software is being implemented and field questions and concerns from staff, as well as from key stakeholders.
Everyone involved with and affected by the software change should be aware of the upcoming changes, and they need to understand how and when they can submit feedback. Ideally, the test run will make this process much easier. If there are important steps or processes that need to be consistently utilized, take steps to help staff remember those points. Consider making a poster and putting copies around the office. Take advantage of free online templates that allow you to add your own text and
photos. Just choose one that fits the kind of information you need to present, modify it, and print them out!
3. Provide Training and Gather Feedback Consistently
Before you implement any new programs, you need to thoroughly train your employees. If your team is left in the dark, they will feel unsupported and resist the transition. Plus, people will waste a lot of time and develop inefficient ways of using your brand new software if they are not taught how to use it well. It will take some time and money, but you should build that into the cost of the software adoption. Instead of pulling in feedback exclusively when your software rollout launches, Qualtrics points out that implementing a test run a few months prior is a great way to get actual
feedback from the people who will be using the software to their (and your business’s) benefit.
Feedback is helpful, but, as Datamation notes, analytics software can identify deployment issues in the long term as well. Use a modern DAP that can give you input on how users are utilizing your new software, where they are “bouncing” the roadblocks they’re encountering, their engagement rates, and more.
Get Your Team Ready for a Successful software Rollout
Through careful planning, communicating effectively, and using analytics tools, you can properly introduce new software to your company. By implementing the steps above, you’ll ensure a successful software rollout for your business.
Are you ready to grow your business in healthy ways? Then contact Seeker Solution for a consultation today!
