The “Social Media” of Business Software

by Jonathan Rodriguez
(Bluffdale, Utah)

I know I don’t often give much thought to business software; I can usually make an Excel spreadsheet or a Google doc, after much finagling, do what I want. Actually, though, there are a lot of excellent programs out there that can make the job of running your own business a lot easier. They are designed specifically with, well, business in mind and can eliminate a lot of unnecessary paperwork (and finagling).

Three software programs in particular strike me as being a lot like social media for business—instead of keeping track of your friends’ latest happenings, though, this software is focused on managing company time and resources. Here are the three types of management software that are collaborative in nature:

1. Project Management Software
Project management software can be used to manage employee time, set budgets, allocate resources, and schedule milestones for a variety of small business projects. Employees, contractors, clients, and anyone else who needs access to a project can set tasks, track projects, see who is assigned to what, and make changes. Project management software simplifies and streamlines the process of staying on top of business. Planning, development, and follow-up can all be tracked without paper or unnecessary phone calls or meetings.

2. Supplier Relationship Management Software
Supplier relationship management software allows companies and small businesses to keep in contact with their vendors directly. This software keeps track of changes and updates to a company’s approved vendor list and track supplier quality and status. Changes to a vendor’s information can be entered directly and changed immediately with one step, meaning that information is kept accurate and at-hand at all times.

3. Quality Management Software aims to help companies keep the quality of their products and services consistent. Like project management software, a quality management system allows people from multiple departments and even multiple companies to communicate directly about quality concerns. This eliminates much of the back and forth that goes on with quality control and management much of the time.

As business software develops, it is likely that many other types of software, from accounting to word processors, will take advantage of the developments made in the social world that allow for instant connectivity.