VendorGuru - Database Software for Business: Easy Does It

Jul 26, 2008

Database Software for Business: Easy Does It

by Don Panek, Database Software for Business: Easy Does It

Taking the Easy Way Out

Managing business processes today can be a daunting task for even the most detail oriented managers. Typical computer applications like word processors, spreadsheets, email readers, and desktop calendars fall short when it comes to managing complex sales, marketing, service and business processes. Islands of disparate information strewn around the company intranet often cause more trouble for managers who need to have access to the most up to date versions of documents.

The solution to this and many other problems facing managers lie within the deployment of a database business solution.

A Tale of Three Roles

Business applications such as ERP, CRM, Business Intelligence and Operational Support Systems (OSS) rely heavily on a core relational database for storing application data. Making the most of these solutions requires an internal thought process that is based on roles within the organization. Thinking in terms of clearly defined roles will allow your organization to segment the business application you choose into functional areas and assign management and maintenance responsibilities to each area.

PROCESSING...

Project management and business intelligence solutions are all roles based, not only from a feature/function perspective, but also to ensure user level security. Typically there are three main roles within these applications:

• Executive Roles--provide executives with access to information and views across the entire organization. Access to key performance data and reports and metrics.

• Manager Roles--provide managers with reporting, assignments of tasks and project creation, automated functions that provide alerts on key business rules and tracking functions.

• Team Roles--provide classifications for roles such as sales people, service people, consultants etc. These roles are then used for managing individual job tasks and responsibilities.

Role-based business solutions that leverage relational databases afford a host of user specific functionality.

Features that Matter the Most

Once the organizational roles have been defined and assigned, the features of most database driven business systems can easily be leveraged by each user individually. Functionality only specific to that user's role is made available, which eliminates training and unnecessary application clutter. Sales people, for instance, will have access to sales related functions such as account, contact, opportunity, and lead management, while support people would have access to account, contact, service schedule, cases, and knowledge base.

Here are some of the important features found in many of today's database driven business applications:

Key Management Features

• Gain high level insight into key performance indicators across the entire organization with easily-generated reports and metrics derived from the data in the database.

• Keep your entire team on the same page--a centralized location for managing projects, metrics, tasks, budgets, and project documents. Most solutions offer some form of Web-based access so users can work remotely and retrieve their data anytime.

• Improve accountability - team members know exactly what they are responsible for. Systems can automatically notify them when tasks are assigned to them or when deadlines are approaching. Likewise, tasks or projects that are falling behind or incomplete can be escalated.

• Reduce administrative tasks - make the best use of your expertise by eliminating tasks like reconciling disparate plans and chasing team members for updates.

• Customizations are usually easily handled so that the solution can be tailored to work the way your organization does.

Features that Drive Management Success

• Automatic e-mail notifications alert your team when new projects or tasks have been assigned to them.

• Reminders push e-mails to teammates in advance of a task due date to ensure key dates are met.

• Interactive reports enable you to assess project status at any time. In just seconds, sort on information by category, dates, resources and more.

• Personalized dashboards instantly deliver the most relevant information to each team member.

• Access controls let you manage who can view or modify project information.

• Timelines allow you to get a graphical view of your project schedule.

• Built-in workflow drives complete data collection around your projects.

Leveraging a Database Business Software Solution is Easy

The purpose of this briefing was to give you an overview of the basics of a business solution that takes advantage of a relational database. Many vendors today have solutions available that can not only perform the functions and offer features described above, but many can be used to integrate to legacy applications and other database solutions such as inventory management, supply chain management, and help desk systems. Companies that have leading solutions in these areas include Computer Associates, Clarity, and QuickBase by Intuit.

By taking a look at various systems, you'll see how deploying a business management system can really impact your bottom line and entire organization in a positive way.

Sources:
Clarity
Computer Associates
QuickBase by Intuit


	Sign up for Online Classes

Learn more about solutions for...

	CRM/Salesforce Automation
	Phone Systems/ Telephony