Software for small businesses: choose, connect and extend the right tools

Almost always: accounting with e-invoicing, office and email, a data backup and structured customer management. Depending on the business, inventory management or ERP, document management, HR software for time tracking and vacation, or a store may be added. More important than the number of programs is that they work together.

If purchasing, warehouse, orders and invoices are closely intertwined, yes – a lean cloud ERP is often enough. For a pure service business, an ERP is often oversized. We help you assess it and only develop custom ERP functions when the standard doesn’t fit.

For many small businesses a simple, ready-made CRM that handles contacts, quotes and follow-ups is enough. Look for data export, GDPR compliance and a connection to email and calendar. A custom CRM pays off if your sales process is special.

Document management helps keep receipts, contracts and correspondence findable and filed in a GoBD-compliant way. Often the archive function of your accounting or cloud software, set up properly, is enough for that. A dedicated DMS becomes interesting with large document volumes or approval processes.

It depends on functions, number of users and interfaces. Interfaces, automations or small web apps start in the Starter package from €2,500, more extensive applications in the Professional package from €8,000. The exact quote – at a fixed price once the scope is clear – follows after the free initial consultation.

What matters is an automatic, encrypted backup of all important data to at least one external location, regularly tested for restoration. Data in cloud services such as Microsoft 365 should also be backed up separately. When needed, we handle setup and monitoring with our IT service partners.