The software revolution of the 1990’s and 2000’s introduced thousands of programs designed to be used in-house to collect, organize and manage corporate data. The challenge presented by this technology format, however, is that it required constant upgrading (repurchasing) for expansion of products and services, additional users, and additional computing capacity. And it needed a dedicated employee to understand both its substance (the bookkeeping details) and its processes (technological skills) to manage it.
Moving forward, the current reliance on these in-house programs is being eroded by the ever-growing emergence of Cloud computing and data storage opportunities. Increasingly, web-based “software-as-a-service” (SaaS) programming for any size business will allow for flexibility not only of product and services oversight but also of administrative tasks such as fundamental bookkeeping and financial support activities. Consider these benefits:
Online financial services are particularly favorable as SaaS since most company owners are very adept and educated at managing their proprietary products and services, but not so adept at managing the minute details of their P&L statements and other corporate documents. The emergence of SaaS has supported enormous corporate growth, as companies shed their in-house financial products and IT teams to access more flexible and IT-focused Cloud support. In doing so, they’ve improved their data management systems by making them more informative for decision-makers and improved access to those systems by making them available through tablets and mobile devices. And in most cases, web-based services have better security features than do in-house programs.
Imagining a corporate future and structuring corporate enterprise to achieve that future are two different things. And managing any business is more than just recording the day’s sales and expenses. Inventory, accounts receivable and payable, budgeting, and HR activities need daily oversight. That oversight should also tie into long-term growth strategies to ensure the company stays on track daily while preparing for a more productive future. Online bookkeeping services can be tailored to connect each of today’s activities with tomorrow’s goals.
With the increasing emphasis on customer service, every business is in competition to offer the highest level of customer satisfaction. If products or services aren’t providing that satisfaction, then sales will slip, and production costs will be wasted. Accurate accounting and its consequent conclusions can reveal why revenues are down, what costs can be expected in the future, and what infrastructure growth might be needed to facilitate that future. Using online financial services and programming to gain these insights will free up corporate executives to focus on the addressing the revealed corporate challenges.
Every business owner relies on accurate, timely and relevant corporate data to ensure the business will succeed. These days, that data can be managed by online bookkeeping services that have the knowledge base, skill set and executive expertise in both critical corporate accounting functions as well as computing and data management technology.