Running a business can be a daunting task, especially when you have to manage multiple departments and processes. With business management software, you can automate repetitive tasks such as data entry, invoicing, and inventory management, among others.
This saves time, reduces human errors, improves accuracy, and frees up more time for your team to focus on growth, strategy, and customer satisfaction.
In this article, we take a deep dive into business management software, its importance, and the top features to look for when selecting a system.
What is Business Management Software?
Business management software refers to company management tools, applications, and programs helpful in planning and implementing company practices, procedures, and policies. Such business management systems help support, automate, and improve business processes.
The software uses a centralised platform for the development, integration, and execution of business strategies, plans, guidelines, and related management tasks. These solutions help teams in achieving quality and consistency in whatever they do.
Benefits of Business Management Software
- Improved efficiency: Business management software helps automate repetitive tasks and streamline various workflows, resulting in less human intervention and thereby increasing overall efficiency.
- Improved decision-making: With access to data on each business process, it’s easier for decision-makers to identify trends and anomalies and make informed decisions quickly.
- Better collaboration: Business management software can help generate a flow of effective communication between teams, leading to improved cooperation in each aspect of the business.
- Reduced costs: By eliminating data silos and automating routine tasks, businesses can ensure their valuable human resources can focus on essential and value-driving tasks.
Features You Need in Business Management Software
There are a few essential features to keep in mind while selecting the appropriate Business Management Software.
Customizability and Scalability
Ensure that your BMS is customisable to suit your needs. It should be scalable to accommodate growth. And you should be able to add new features and modules as your enterprise grows and evolves.
Integration with Existing Systems
Your new BMS solution must integrate with your existing systems, such as accounting, CRMs, and ERPs, without compromising efficiency.
User-Friendly Interface and Accessibility
The software should also have a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. It should be accessible from anywhere and have mobile compatibility for remote access.
Robust Security and Data Protection
When dealing with business data, robust security measures and data protection protocols are necessary. When evaluating BMS solutions, look for software with straightforward access controls, encryption, and backup capabilities to protect your enterprise’s sensitive data.
Cloud-Based vs. On-Premise
It’s also important to consider whether you need a cloud-based or on-premise solution for your enterprise. Cloud-based solutions offer more flexibility and accessibility, while on-premise solutions offer more control over your data and hardware.
Top 13 Business Management Software in 2024
With so many tools on the market offering multiple features, choosing the software that best meets your requirements can be challenging.
However, we’ve identified some of the leading business management systems to help you narrow your choices.
1) ContinuSys IBMS
ContinuSys IBMS is a business management software that can help you efficiently manage your business processes. With a strong focus on business continuity, this business management system adopts the philosophy of combating disruption through an integrated suite of apps for each business process.
From HR management, business continuity, and auditing to finance and asset management, ContinuSys IBMS is an ecosystem of integrated tools that eliminate departmental knowledge silos and help build a resilient organisation.
Top features:
- User-friendly and fully integrated apps for each business process
- A shorter learning curve for teams combined with training and assistance
- Cloud-based system to enable remote working and accessibility on any device
Pros:
- Highly cost-competitive
- Free for ten users
- 14 integrated applications
Cons:
- No option to buy individual apps
Pricing Plans: Starting at $29/per user/per month
2) Oracle NetSuite
Oracle NetSuite is a cloud-based ERP software suite that manages and integrates core business processes across different business aspects. It offers solutions to medium-sized and large industries through its holistic approach.
Top features:
- Cloud-based, user-friendly, flexible, and customisable
- Different KPIs (key performance indicators) to generate in-depth analytics
- Customisable and time-saving project accounting, resource management, and timesheet/ expense management capabilities.
Pros:
- Real-time visibility of reports
- Integrated B2B and B2C solutions
- A low-code platform called Netsuite’s Suiteflex to develop custom business apps
Cons:
- Unaffordable for small/medium-sized companies
- Not built with a SMEs point of view
- High add-on costs
Pricing Plans: Starting at $99 per month
3) Zoho One
Zoho One is a powerful business management software offering 40 business apps. It also provides a comprehensive collection of applications that can take your entire business to the cloud.
Top features:
- A single sign-on for all the applications
- A smart assistant named Zia for easy navigation
- Internal messaging network
Pros:
- Flexible pricing
- Zoho’s Orchestly, for next-level customisation of workflows
- Integrated Canvas Design Studio
Cons:
- No integrations for free plans
- More suitable for SMEs than large organisations
- Support Limitations
Pricing: Starting at $20/per user/per month
4) Bitrix24
Bitrix24 is a collaboration tool that allows its users to integrate their tools, tasks, and mail on a unified platform, making it an end-to-end business solution tool.
Top features:
- Open developer APIs for customisation
- Unique Opportunity Management System for insights
- Advanced Territory Management to understand sales geographically
Pros:
- Highly focused on collaboration, teamwork, and employee engagement.
- Custom approval for documents via multi-user editing functionality
- Delightful UI and user-friendly
Cons:
- Limited cloud storage space
- High-level automation only available on premium plans
- Tiresome notification pop-ups
Pricing: Starting at $49/per month for five users.
5) Scoro
Scoro is a SaaS-based business collaboration tool combining the capabilities of business management software and project management software, allowing users to track time, projects, and billable and non-billable hours.
Top features:
- Company news feed platform to keep the organisation updated
- Project cost management includes expenses, budget forecasts, etc
- Top-tier project management capabilities
Pros:
- Ease of implementing new features
- Enhanced Time Management
- In-depth budget forecasts for future financial planning
Cons:
- Difficulty in integrating with Outlook and other email services
- Complicated billing features
Pricing: Starting at $26/per user/per month
6) Odoo
Odoo is an open-source, end-to-end business solutions software suite offering integrations among its tools like CRM, Accounting, Website Builder, and Human Resources Management.
Top features:
- Curated industry-specific modules
- Constant ERP community-based improvements
- Personalised Odoo App Store with over 10,000 applications
Pros:
- High frequency of updates according to the changing demands
- Shared source code to third-party Odoo partners for continuous quality check
- A modular structure that caters to every segment of the industry
Cons:
- Complications in the initial set-up
- Confusing billing where users might be charged for an extra module
Pricing: Starting at $7.25/per user/per month
7) Freshworks
Started as Freshdesk in 2010, Freshworks is a cloud-based business solution provider created to offer creative solutions to businesses via a SaaS-based model.
Top features:
- Attractive and affordable pricing
- AI-based forecasting insights
Pros:
- Freshdesk – a highly engaging customer service platform.
- Comprehensive CRM solutions for every stage of the deal
- Highly customisable modules
Cons:
- Limited collaboration in terms of sharing/exporting
- No discounted rate for bulk buying
Pricing: Starting at $29/per user/per month
8) Salesforce
Salesforce is a California-based software company initially known for providing world-class Customer Relationship Management tools. Salesforce also provides tools for marketing automation, e-commerce analytics, and website development.
Top features:
- Einstein search
- Lightning app builder
Pros:
- Commerce Cloud: an e-commerce business manager
- Salesforce mobile app for easy access
Cons:
- Constant requirement for salesforce consultants
- Difficult to understand/customise for non-technical users
- Lack of appropriate customer service
Pricing: Starting at $25/per user/per month for CRM
9) Dolibarr
Dolibarr is a Free Open Source Software (FOSS) model offering ERP and CRM software that allows businesses and individuals to only choose the functionalities they need from all their tools.
Top features:
- Donation management: a unique tool to manage all your donations
- Rest API – Open Source code model allowing seamless third-party integrations
Pros:
- Extremely user-friendly UI
- Highly customisable
- A large community of learners on its forum
Cons:
- Not suitable for large enterprises
- Limited customisations
Pricing: Cloud-hosted version starting at $9 per month
10) Microsoft Dynamics 365
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a portfolio of intelligent business solutions built to solve complex business problems by offering a unified view of the business.
Top features:
- Relationship insight tools for a recommendation based on customer interaction
- Visual process designer for interactive workflows
- Learning paths for new users
Pros:
- Flawless integration with Microsoft Outlook
- Unified integration in the Microsoft ecosystem
Cons:
- The platform and customisations are expensive
- Limited cloud storage
Pricing: Starting at $70/per user/ per month
11) Suitedash
Suitedash is a centralised Business management solution provider with expertise in workflow automation and streamlining operations through its comprehensive toolkit of applications.
Top features:
- Workflow optimisation
- Subscription management
Pros:
- Inbuilt messaging app for collaboration
- Time-tracking for the bifurcation of billable and non-billable resources
Cons:
- No public API, making it difficult to integrate with existing systems
Pricing: Starting at $19 per month
12) SAP Business One
SAP Business One is one of the most advanced Business Management Software available in the market, leveraging the latest technology like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Data Analytics to provide intelligent business solutions.
Top features:
- High operational visibility on the dashboard
- End-to-End Automation
Pros:
- Suitable for large enterprises
- customisable modules according to industry-specific needs
Cons:
- Not affordable for Small SMEs
- Limited AI integrations
- Highly Complex
Pricing: Starting at $54/per user/per month
13) Striven
Striven is a cloud-based business solution software that combines key business processes like inventory management, project management, and Human Resource Management in a single, easy-to-use, centralised platform that caters to all sizes and types of industries.
Top features:
- Training options like live webinars and video tutorials
- Quick resource navigator to track data
Pros:
- Easy to implement for SMEs
- Delightful UI with the option to customise visuals
- High capabilities in terms of managing and tracking time-driven projects
Cons:
- Limited reporting and analytics capabilities
- Not suitable for large enterprises
Pricing: Starting at $20/per user/per month +$99 web hosting charges
Choosing the best business management software for your enterprise in 2024 requires careful consideration and thorough research. With the right software, you can streamline your operations, enhance communication and collaboration, and make data-driven decisions.
