Traditionally software integration was only available to large organisations; organisations with a high budgets, large IT departments and complex systems. Large organisations have been able to run accounts, CRM and payroll packages using the same fully integrated and synchronised data, where as small businesses have been left running applications in different areas and manually piecing together the data at a latter time.

Facing ever-increasing demands to improve efficiency and optimise productivity, smaller businesses are being forced towards integrated solutions to survive in an increasingly competitive market. With their notorious costs and complexity, can small businesses really afford to invest in complete business solutions?

Integrated business solutions allow for complete coherence through out your business. From accounts and CRM to E-marketing and human resources, all departments within businesses can be working from the same real time information. Integrated software suites allow you to track the entire process from initial enquiry, sale, invoice, delivery and after sales service.

Serving to remove hold ups, technical difficulties and miscommunications during the sale process, integrated business solutions can help maximise productivity, increase sales and improve customer service.

Deciding to invest in a potentially expensive and complex business solution can be a difficult decision, especially for a small business. The possibility of teething problems, training requirements and inevitable support contacts means that introducing an integrated business solution is a real investment and is much more involving than simply installing out of the box software.

The potential costs and difficulties involved in installing such software should not necessarily put smaller business off investing, as for the right business; integrated software can be a revolution. However, successful pre sales project management, project scoping and consultancy are vital in ensuring that your business gets the system that exactly meets your needs. When it comes to integrated software, there is no 'one-size-fits-all' solution.

Integrated business solutions can be expensive, difficult to install and temperamental to run. Despite this the benefits of business solutions, more than out way the cons. These solutions help your business run smoothly, allow your sales and accounts teams to communicate effectively and reduce the time spent on admin tasks, giving you the space to spend your time productively by growing your business.

Integrated business solutions are less expensive then they once were and there are plenty available in the small business market. Furthermore, once installed your business will begin to see return on investment. Integrated business solutions can give you the ability to compete with larger organisations, removing your inefficiencies and allowing you to concentrate on increasing sales and improving customer service. Providing you invest time in choosing and deciding if you need such a system, then they are a more than worthy investment.