All companies have needs related to their core business (e.g., making quotations, editing pay slips, planning production, etc.). A business app can then cover one or more of these needs (e.g. a quotation and CRM app for quotations, an HRIS for pay slips, an ERP for planning).
As part of the digitalization of its activities, a company can appropriate a business app (otherwise known as software or a platform) in several ways:
- Purchasing or subscribing to market software
- Specific IT development by the IT department or by service providers or agencies
- No-code or low-code construction by trades, service providers or agencies
In this article, we’ll help you think about your next business app.
If you had only one thing to remember from this article :
The choice of a business app should not be an empirical one, and requires a methodical approach. In fact, a business app is just one solution among many to a need or problem.
For example, to “Increase the number of orders for a company”, different solutions are possible, such as :
- Free up salespeople’s time with a business app
- Or hire new sales staff
- Or partially outsource order generation
Definition Business app
What is a business app?
A business app is a digital tool designed to meet one or more or problems.
These apps can be used to digitize employees’ activities, automate processes, manage data and visualize an organization’s operations, enabling informed decision-making.
This software can be found throughout a company’s entire value chain: from sales administration to invoicing, via production, logistics, human resources…
Each business app is made up of specific, customized functions. For example, in a production app, you’ll find functions for resource planning, scheduling, purchasing management, monitoring and reporting…
Business app deployment models
- App hosted directly on an employee’s computer. In today’s business environment, this type of support is difficult to maintain and is tending to disappear.
- Software hosted on a company’s physical servers and accessible via the organization’s gateways, networks and VPNs. This system is very expensive to maintain (both in terms of server purchases and management by technicians), and security problems are frequent. What’s more, this model is often a source of frustration for teams, due to its lack of ease of use and performance.
- Private cloud: the app is hosted on a cloud infrastructure dedicated solely to the company. This enables better security management
- Public cloud: the tool is hosted on a cloud insfrastructure shared by several organizations
For the last two Cloud models :
- Costs are kept under control with pay-per-use billing,
- App are easily scalable according to your growth needs,
- Remote, telecommuting and mobile use are simple and secure
The different ways of developing a business app
Purchase or subscription to a software or solution on the market
This model offers a wide choice of software, ERP, CRM, HRIS… with a wide range of functions and prices. If you find what you’re looking for, this is one of the best solutions, requiring an initial investment of less time and dollars.
If need be, it’s usually easy to migrate your data to another software package should you become dissatisfied.
In general, however, there’s no such thing as perfect software, so companies may find themselves having to adapt their software (because of missing functions or lack of ergonomics).
+ Use of standard software
+ Little or no development work
– Limited customization
– Vendor-dependent upgrades
Specific development of the app code by the IT department or externally
Based on your requirements, an IT department or development agency can build your business app and customize it to your needs. The initial cost is high, but once up and running, the cost is marginal. However, launching the project can take a long time, and may not be a priority for the IT department (a business department may wait months before even starting the project). In addition, it requires the IT department to master modern code languages. Last but not least, its maintenance is dependent on resources that may leave the company or that are expensive.
+ Customized business app+ No running costs– Depends on availability of IT department- Very high initial and maintenance costs
Specific design in no-code or low-code by IT or business project managers
For almost 10 years, no-code or low-code platforms have been emerging. These platforms enable users to create software, automations and mobile apps without any computer development skills…. They do, however, require some time to get to grips with (but nothing like learning to code). This method makes it possible to rapidly design highly customized business apps, with simpleupgrades and maintenance , and a cost controlled according to your uses. One platform hosts several apps, with no real difference in price
+ Customizable by trades
+ Cost per use
– Requires time to get used to
Use cases and examples of business apps
HR business app
HRIS apps make it easier for employees to do their jobs, and free up HR managers’ time , particularly through automation.
Examples of business apps :
- Recruitment and app management
- Training management
- Calculating compensation variables
- Vacation requests
- Absence management
- Time clocking
- Onboarding new employees
Logistics business app
Logistics software and ERP makeprocurement more robust and collaboration more effective between teams, contractors and suppliers.
Examples of business apps :
- Order tracking
- Inventory management
- Purchase approval
- Order preparation
- Dispatch
- Warehouse and location management
- Supplier management
Sales solution
These apps have the advantage of freeing sales reps from administrative tasks and reminders, thanks to automation. They make prospecting more efficient.
Examples of business apps :
- Project costing and orders
- CRM
- Validation of proposals
- Editing quotations and invoices
- Sales reporting and analysis
- Qualifying prospects
- Customer messages and reminders
Production business app
They help tooptimize and plan production activities, while ensuring better process traceability and helping to guarantee final product quality.
Examples of business apps :
- Production resource planning
- Production orders
- Production cost management
- Monitoring quality control and standards
- Equipment and machine maintenance
- Supply management
- Calculation and monitoring of KPIs
Accounting business app
This software enables companies to simplify their financial processes, improve operational efficiency and minimize human error.
Examples of business apps :
- Entering and managing accounting entries
- Payment tracking and reconciliation
- Cash and cash flow management
- Fixed asset management
- Cost and budget accounting
- Preparing returns
- Drawing up balance sheets
Solution for general services
They facilitate the management of operations essential to the smooth running of the business, by centralizing requests and automating processes.
Examples of business apps :
- Contract and supplier management
- Service request management
- Energy consumption monitoring
- Fleet and vehicle management
- Tracking supply requests
- Meeting and workspace management
- Event planning and follow-up
Software vs. platform
This is one of the major choices to be made by any company. Is it preferable to use a number of different software packages, leaving yourself the option of changing software regularly as the need arises, or is it better to use a single platform on which all your business apps will be built?
Main points of difference :
- Platforms provide a high level of no-code customization and lower costs (through mutualization). Connections between apps are simplified.
- Software means that you don’t have to manage the construction of the tools, only their parameterization, and that you can migrate from one software package to another with little difficulty. Their interconnection depends on the software used and its API.
What are the advantages of a business app?
Process optimization
A business app eliminates andautomates non-value-added, time-consumingmanual tasks, multiple entries and the errors associated with the use of convoluted software. This reduces the risk of errors and improves data quality.
Best collaboration
These tools simplify collaboration within companies. The sequence of tasks and approvals between players is more dynamic. The climate is improved thanks to more flexible communication and automated orchestration.
Traceability and tracking
Thanks to a business app, you can set up various measurement systems to monitor performance indicators, deadlines and the state of progress of different files or deals.
Quality data and information
It’s easier for employees to fill in the information correctly. Automation also helpsavoid errors. Searching for information is also simplified
Digitalization and automation
Business apps are a good way for companies to take advantage of digital technology, by making it easier for employees to manage change. Automations bring direct financial benefits, and help to finance the next step.
Simplified process audit
As the entire process is documented and computerized, it is easier to audit the process using field data. This makes data analysis simpler and more concrete. If you would like to carry out a process audit, we have put together a detailed method for you.
How do you go about building or choosing a business app?
Even if you have identified a business need, don’t rush headlong into building a business app. In fact, it may be wiser to study the need with a representative number of employees.
Indeed, identifying solutions to a need is a methodical process. That’s why it’s important to understand how a work process works in its entirety before you start selecting solutions.
Step 1 – Collectively formalize all the needs to be covered by means of an inventory.
Choosing or building a business app is a team effort!
It’s essential to work closely with the employees involved in the process. If the number of employees involved is large, it may be necessary to consult a representative group of this population.
In addition to company teams, it can be important toinvolve other players such as partners, service providers, suppliers and, why not, prospects or customers, to take their opinions into account.
Moreover, it’s crucial to talk to the right people to get a clearer understanding of how things work. For example, it may be more advantageous to talk to a line manager rather than your manager.
Last but not least, adopting a benevolent, listening and pedagogical attitude will be beneficial to the success of the project, especially if it entails major organizational changes.
Describing your job isn’t always intuitive
Some people find it hard to explain their daily tasks, whatever their position in the hierarchy. Don’t hesitate to check out what your employees are saying, otherwise you’ll end up with the wrong business app.
If possible, we strongly advise you to carry out observations in the workplace, for example using the DILO (Day In a Life Of) method. This approach allows you to directly observe the execution of activities and gather information in real-life situations. It also fosters a good understanding of the project.
Find out more in our article on how to conduct an audit
Map or model requirements
A picture is worth a thousand words. Below is a model of a purchasing process.
Mapping should be seen as a visual roadmap of a process, allowing you to identify :
- The different events (beginning, middle and end), represented by red circles.
- Participants, with distinctly colored dots.
- Tasks and processes, illustrated by rectangles.
- Simultaneous decisions, conditions and actions (called gateways) in the form of diamonds.
- Links between elements, including sequence and message flows.
In addition to this graphical representation, a supplementary document or other mapping may include for each process :
- Tools, software and apps used.
- Oral, paper or software interactions.
- Procedures to follow.
- The time needed to complete the process.
- The completion time for each task.
- The frequency with which they are carried out.
- Available stock at each phase.
- Employee satisfaction with each operation.
- The difficulties and shortcomings encountered at each stage.
Step 2 – List and prioritize automation opportunities
Following collaborative formalization of the process, it will be easier to identify opportunities for automating tasks such as :
- Writing automation in Excel
- Reporting
- Document creation
- Generating or sending documents
- Dunning and notification management
- Collecting and monitoring performance indicators
- Data prioritization and sorting
- Multiple entries in different software packages
- The qualification of documents…
Nevertheless, a company can’t solve all its needs at once! It’s important to prioritize each task potentially automatable.
To prioritize the various needs, an organization can use an evaluation matrix like the one shown below.
Example of a prioritization matrix for a purchase order entry task.
Once all the tasks have been prioritized, the company can build its roadmap for choosing or building a business appto gradually improve productivity.
Step 3 – Choose the right task automation tools
The Lapala method for creating a business app with our customers
Start digitalizing with an initial business app thanks to our experts
Step 1 – 15 minutes
A short discussion is organized to better understand your needs and answer any questions you may have.
Step 2 – 30 minutes
Our experts organize a personalized, in-depth demonstration based on your objectives.
Step 3 – 30 minutes
The experts work with you to identify the first uses that will enable you to achieve a rapid ROI.
Step 4 – First month
Start enjoying the benefits of Lapala.
Co-construction of a first use case with our experts and training
Autonomy to deploy new use cases
Year-round support from our experts
Now you know all about business apps. Now it’s your turn! See you soon for more content!
.
Leave a Reply