If you are spending more time switching between your different platforms, double checking data from different sources and dealing with slow load times and frozen screens, then it could be time to update your systems. Solutions that worked for a small team may no longer be suited as your business grows and you need to increase the number of users on each system. It is also worth considering your data security if you are managing data in multiple places or legacy systems that may not have the required security updates.

Where should I start?

At Active Informatics we recommend starting by carrying out a full audit of your IT systems:

• List all systems and platforms you use or subscribe to, include hardware, licenses for products, cloud subscriptions and accounts held with online platforms or services
• Include their purpose and functionality, think about the reason you originally chose this product and whether it is still meeting your business needs
• Check how many active users there are within your organisation
• Review the security, what level of protection does your data have?

Once you have this information you can identify any systems that are no longer needed and close your account. You can see opportunities for system consolidation where you have multiple products with the same functionality.

If you identify gaps or products that are no longer right for the needs of your business, it may be time to consider updating your systems.

Ways to update your IT Systems

There are many ways to modernise your systems, three ways you may wish to consider are:

• Switching to a cloud-based CRM, this allows your team to work flexibly from any location and means you have access to the latest security updates to keep your data safe
• Adding system integrations so that your team are working from a single data source, this improves accuracy, saves staff time and allows you to gain better insights from your data
• Automate processes such as data uploads and approvals to save time which can be spent on strategic tasks and improve data accuracy.

At Active we can help with a range of services and Microsoft based solutions including:

• CRM Systems
• System integration
• Automation
• Customer portals
• Bespoke app building
• Power BI reports and data modelling
• CRM project recovery
• Other Power Platform projects

Talk to our team about how we can help you with your next steps in digital transformation.