Introduction
Imagine a scenario where a business, brimming with innovative ideas to streamline operations or enhance customer engagement, faces a significant hurdle: the absence of technical prowess to transform these ideas into functional applications. This predicament is not uncommon. Many organisations find themselves in this quandary, needing bespoke solutions to address unique challenges but lacking the in-house capabilities to develop them. Enter Power Apps, a beacon of hope in this landscape of technological aspiration.
Power Apps emerges as a revolutionary tool in this context, offering a no-code platform that empowers businesses to create custom applications without the need for extensive coding knowledge. Emerge Digital stands at the forefront of this transformation, simplifying the journey from conception to completion. Through our expertise, businesses can navigate the complexities of app development effortlessly, bringing their unique visions to life with precision and flair. In this blog, we look at some examples of Power Apps, as well as how to get started with creating your own.
The Power of Power Apps in Business Transformation
Power Apps is not just an application development platform; it’s a catalyst for business transformation. Its no-code interface democratises the development process, allowing users to design, build, and deploy applications that solve real-world business problems efficiently. This capability is crucial in today’s business landscape, where agility and responsiveness can set companies apart from their competition.
Emerge Digital harnesses the power of Power Apps to craft tailored solutions for businesses across various sectors. Whether it’s streamlining internal processes, enhancing customer engagement, or facilitating data collection and analysis, Power Apps offers a versatile foundation for app development. Here are ten Power Apps examples that can revolutionise business operations.
Power Apps Examples
1. Inventory Management System: An app that simplifies tracking stock levels, orders, and deliveries, ensuring businesses can manage their inventory effectively without manual spreadsheets.
2. Employee Onboarding Portal: A streamlined platform for managing new hires, from document submission to training schedules, enhancing the onboarding experience for both employees and HR teams.
3. Customer Feedback App: An application that captures customer feedback in real-time, providing valuable insights to improve products and services.
4. Event Management Tool: An app designed to oversee event planning, ticket sales, and attendee engagement, all from a single, user-friendly interface.
5. Health and Safety Compliance Checker: A tool for businesses to monitor and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, reducing the risk of workplace incidents.
6. Project Management Dashboard: A comprehensive application for tracking project timelines, budgets, and resources, facilitating better project oversight and collaboration.
7. Sales Lead Tracking System: An app that organises and manages sales leads, enabling sales teams to follow up effectively and close more deals.
8. Field Service Management App: A solution for coordinating field service operations, from scheduling visits to tracking technician performance, improving service delivery and customer satisfaction.
9. Expense Reporting Tool: An app that streamlines the submission, approval, and reimbursement of employee expenses, reducing paperwork and processing times.
10. Maintenance Request System: A platform that allows employees to submit maintenance requests and track their progress, ensuring facility issues are addressed promptly and efficiently.
These Power Apps examples demonstrate the platform’s flexibility and the range of challenges it can address in a business context.
How Emerge Digital Brings Your App from Concept to Reality
Emerge Digital’s approach to app development with Power Apps is comprehensive and client-focused. Here’s how we transform your ideas into reality:
• Understanding Business Needs: Every project begins with a deep dive into the specific challenges your business faces. This ensures the app we develop is not just a technological solution but a strategic tool that delivers real value.
• Scoping and Building: With a clear understanding of your requirements, we scope the project meticulously, designing and building an app that aligns perfectly with your business objectives. Our expertise in Power Apps allows us to tailor every aspect of the app to fit your needs precisely.
• Testing and Implementation: Rigorous testing is a cornerstone of our process, ensuring the app is not only functional but also user-friendly. Following successful testing, we manage a smooth implementation, integrating the app into your business operations seamlessly.
• Training and Support: To maximise the impact of your new app, we provide comprehensive training for your team, ensuring they are confident in using the app effectively. Our support extends beyond the launch, with ongoing assistance to adapt the app as your business evolves.
Through this detailed process, Emerge Digital empowers businesses to harness the potential of Power Apps, turning challenges into opportunities with innovative, custom-built applications.
Why Choose Emerge Digital for Your Power Apps Development?
Selecting the right partner for Power Apps development is crucial to the success of your digital transformation journey. Here are compelling reasons why Emerge Digital stands out as the ideal choice:
• Expertise in Translating Business Needs into Functional Apps: Our team at Emerge Digital excels in understanding your unique business challenges and crafting apps that provide tangible solutions. With our depth of experience, we ensure that every app we develop aligns perfectly with your strategic objectives, delivering not just a tool but a competitive advantage.
• Streamlined Process That Reduces Development Time and Costs: We pride ourselves on our efficient development process, designed to get your app from concept to deployment swiftly. This approach not only accelerates the time to market but also optimises resources, significantly reducing development costs without compromising on quality.
• Continuous Support and Training to Ensure Long-term Success: Our commitment to your success extends beyond the launch of your app. We provide ongoing support and comprehensive training, ensuring your team can leverage the full potential of the app. As your business evolves, we’re here to ensure your Power App evolves with you, maintaining its relevance and effectiveness.
Getting Started with Your Power App
Embarking on your app development journey can be an empowering experience, offering a blend of creativity and strategic thinking. Here’s a streamlined approach to kickstart your journey with Power Apps, emphasising a hands-on exploration before seeking expert assistance from Emerge Digital:
1. Dive into Power Apps: Begin by exploring Power Apps on your own. Microsoft has created an extensive range of resources, tutorials, guides, and example Power Apps that make it easy for beginners to start experimenting with the platform. This step allows you to familiarise yourself with the capabilities of Power Apps, understand its interface, and begin conceptualising how it can solve your business challenges.
2. Experiment and Conceptualise: Use the tools and resources available to create simple apps that address specific needs within your business. This hands-on experimentation is crucial for gaining insights into what Power Apps can achieve and how its features can be tailored to meet your requirements. It’s also an excellent opportunity to identify the limits of your in-house capabilities and where professional guidance could enhance your project.
3. Reflect on Your Experience: After spending some time with Power Apps, assess your experience. Consider the challenges you faced, the solutions you could create, and the potential impact on your business operations. This reflection will help you pinpoint areas where Emerge Digital’s expertise can add value, ensuring your app not only meets but exceeds your business objectives.
4. Reach Out to Emerge Digital: Once you’ve explored Power Apps and have a clearer understanding of your needs and aspirations, it’s time to elevate your project. Contact Emerge Digital to discuss your experience, the ideas you’ve conceptualised, and the challenges you’ve encountered. We’ll arrange an initial consultation to explore how we can collaborate to refine your vision, enhance your app’s functionality, and ensure it seamlessly integrates into your business processes.
5. Embark on Your Development Journey: With Emerge Digital, you’re not just building an app; you’re crafting a bespoke solution that’s meticulously aligned with your business strategy. Our comprehensive approach ensures your Power App is developed, tested, and implemented with precision, supported by continuous training and assistance to maximise its impact on your business.
Taking the first steps with Power Apps on your own is a valuable process that sets the foundation for a successful development project. When you’re ready to take your app to the next level, Emerge Digital is here to provide the expertise, support, and vision needed to transform your business processes. Reach out to us, and let’s create something exceptional together.
Conclusion
Choosing Power Apps for business process automation and innovation represents a strategic investment in your company’s future. With its no-code platform, Power Apps opens up a realm of possibilities, enabling you to respond swiftly to market changes, streamline operations, and enhance customer engagement. Partnering with Emerge Digital amplifies these benefits, offering expertise, efficiency, and unwavering support throughout your digital transformation journey.
As you consider the path forward, remember that the value of Power Apps (seen through some of the Power Apps examples that are available) extends beyond the technology itself. It’s about empowering your team, driving innovation, and securing a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving business landscape. Emerge Digital is here to guide you every step of the way, ensuring your Power Apps project is not just a success but a catalyst for sustained growth and innovation. Reach out to us today, and let’s explore how we can transform your business together with Power Apps.
If you’d like to speak to a member of our team to discuss your app requirements and see how we can help, get in touch here or email hello@emerge.digital.
About Emerge Digital
Emerge Digital is a technology and digital innovation business and Managed Services Provider (MSP) which provides solutions to SMEs that drive efficiency, competitiveness, and profit. Using comprehensive solutions, including outsourced IT support, cyber security, cloud infrastructure, and innovative technologies like process automation, data visualisation and AI – Emerge Digital enables businesses to invest in technology that supports them in achieving their goals.
Introduction
Understanding the cost of managed IT services and choosing the best provider are critical steps for any business looking to optimise its technology strategy. The question of “How much do managed IT services cost?” varies significantly, influenced by factors like business size, service scope, and the provider’s expertise. This article delves into these costs, explores the determinants, and provides guidance on selecting a provider that aligns with your business’s specific needs and goals.
Understanding the Cost of Managed IT Services
The question of “how much do managed IT services cost” cannot be answered with a one-size-fits-all figure. Instead, it’s akin to asking the price of a car without specifying the make, model, or features. The cost is influenced by various factors, including the size of your business, the scope of services required, the level of expertise of the provider, and the complexity of your IT infrastructure.
On average, businesses can expect to pay anywhere from £30 to £45 per user, per month, for comprehensive managed IT services. This range is broad because it encapsulates different service tiers, from basic monitoring and maintenance to full-scale IT department outsourcing, and sometimes includes technology consultancy too.
Factors Influencing Managed IT Services Costs
1. Service Scope: The broader the scope of services (e.g., 24/7 monitoring, helpdesk support, cyber security protection, cloud services), the higher the cost. Tailoring the service package to your specific needs can ensure you’re not paying for unnecessary services.
2. Business Size and Complexity: Larger businesses with complex networks and numerous endpoints will naturally incur higher costs due to the increased workload and specialised expertise required.
3. Level of Support: The choice between proactive, all-encompassing support versus on-demand, reactive services will affect your costs. Comprehensive, proactive support typically represents a higher initial investment but can save money in the long term by preventing costly downtime and breaches.
4. Vendor Expertise and Reputation: Providers with a proven track record and specialised expertise may command higher fees. However, their experience can lead to more efficient problem resolution and strategic planning that aligns with your business goals.
Choosing the Best Provider: Beyond the Cost
While the question, “how much do managed IT services cost,” is crucial, choosing the right provider extends beyond price comparison. Consider the following criteria to ensure a fruitful partnership:
1. Alignment with Business Needs: The best provider understands your industry, business model, and specific IT requirements. They should offer customisable solutions that scale with your growth. Emerge Digital creates a Digital Business Strategy in collaboration with each of its clients, understanding business challenges and goals, and drafting a roadmap for technology investment that aligns with those goals.
2. Expertise and Certifications: Look for providers with relevant certifications and a strong portfolio of clients in your sector. Their expertise should span the latest technologies and cyber security practices. Emerge has won a range of awards and holds many industry certifications.
3. Service Level Agreements (SLAs): A clear, comprehensive SLA guarantees the provider’s commitment to performance standards, response times, and resolution deadlines. It’s the backbone of accountability in your partnership. We use SLAs in all of our IT Support contracts, but we understand that sometimes, business-critical issues arise which may not present as a high-priority issue (based on definitions). Read more about our approach to handling such issues here.
4. Security and Compliance: Ensure the provider has robust security measures and compliance protocols in place, especially if you operate in a highly regulated industry. Their ability to safeguard your data is paramount. We offer a cyber security service called OnyxSecure, giving your business multiple layers of enterprise-grade protection at an affordable price.
5. References and Reviews: Testimonials from current and past clients can provide insights into the provider’s reliability, customer service quality, and the real-world impact of their services on business operations. We have many client success stories for a number of clients, covering IT support, modern workplace, and innovation.
Embarking on Your Managed IT Services Journey
As we peel back the layers of the question, “how much do managed IT services cost,” it becomes evident that the answer lies in a delicate balance between financial investment and strategic value. The right provider does not merely offer services at a competitive price but becomes a strategic ally, propelling your business towards its objectives with agility and precision.
In this digital age, where technology evolves at an unprecedented pace, partnering with a managed IT services provider is not just a cost consideration—it’s a strategic business decision. By carefully evaluating potential providers against your business needs, priorities, and budget, you can embark on a partnership that not only optimises your IT operations but also enhances your competitive edge in the market.
As you navigate these waters, remember that the goal is not to find the cheapest provider but the one that offers the best value for your investment. With the right partner, the question of “how much do managed IT services cost” transforms from a query about expenses into a conversation about value, innovation, and strategic growth.
In conclusion, understanding the cost of managed IT services and selecting the best provider requires a nuanced approach that considers price, service quality, alignment with business needs, and the potential for a long-term partnership. By addressing these factors with care and diligence, businesses can make informed decisions that support their technological and operational goals, ensuring a future where technology serves as a catalyst for success rather than a source of constant challenge.
If you’d like to speak to a member of our team to discuss your IT requirements and to obtain a proposal, get in touch here or email hello@emerge.digital.
About Emerge Digital
Emerge Digital is a technology and digital innovation business and Managed Services Provider (MSP) which provides solutions to SMEs that drive efficiency, competitiveness, and profit. Using comprehensive solutions, including outsourced IT support, cyber security, cloud infrastructure, and innovative technologies like process automation, data visualisation and AI – Emerge Digital enables businesses to invest in technology that supports them in achieving their goals.
Introduction
Microsoft has been instrumental in the rapid evolution and widespread availability in recent years. They have quickly productised their AI offerings into a suite of products that they’ve called “Copilots” – tools to aid humans and remove some of the manual or administrative burden, rather than replace us entirely. But what’s the difference between Microsoft’s Copilots? Let’s have a look at them one by one.
Comparing the Differences of Microsoft’s Copilots
Microsoft Copilot
Price: Free
Availability: Available now on Windows 11, in the Microsoft Edge browser, via copilot.microsoft.com
Key Uses: Answering questions, summarising content, searching the internet, generating images
Summary: Microsoft Copilot, distinct from Copilot for 365, is a pioneering AI-powered chatbot by Microsoft, capitalising on advanced large language models to significantly enhance productivity, foster creativity, and simplify information comprehension through an intuitive chat interface. Initially introduced as Bing Chat in February 2023, it is seamlessly integrated within Microsoft Bing and Microsoft Edge, marking Microsoft’s strategic shift towards AI-driven assistance and serving as the successor to the phased-out Cortana.
Further embedding itself into the fabric of daily computing, Microsoft Copilot has been adeptly incorporated into Windows 11, offering users an enriched experience aimed at boosting their productivity and creativity. Whether seeking concrete answers, creative inspiration, or pragmatic solutions for an array of questions, projects, and tasks, Copilot stands as a testament to Microsoft’s commitment to leveraging AI technology to empower users in navigating and managing their digital environment more effectively. But what’s the different between this and Microsoft’s other Copilots?
Microsoft 365 Copilot
Price: £24.70 per user, per month (annual committment)
Availability: Available now for Business and Enterprise customers
Key Uses: Generate content in Word, create PowerPoint presentations, analyse data in Excel, draft emails in Outlook, generate meeting summaries in Teams.
Summary: Copilot for 365 directly enhances productivity within the Microsoft 365 suite by automating and simplifying tasks across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams. It generates content, analyses data, designs presentations, manages emails, and facilitates collaboration, all through natural language commands. This tool streamlines document creation, spreadsheet analysis, and communication, enabling users to efficiently tackle complex projects and everyday tasks. Users must have a Business Standard, Business Premium, or E3/E5 subscription to use Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Microsoft Copilot Pro
Price: £19.00 per user, per month
Availability: Available now for Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscribers
Key Uses: Generate content in Word, create PowerPoint presentations, analyse data in Excel, draft emails in Outlook, generate meeting summaries in Teams.
Summary: Copilot Pro is a cross between Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot. It offers enhanced features over the free Copilot service and adds AI capabilities to the Microsoft 365 apps, but it’s designed for individuals, not businesses. It offers subscribers priority access to advanced AI models like GPT-4 and GPT-4 Turbo, ensuring faster response times and content creation, including AI-powered image creation with DALL-E 3. Designed to work in conjunction with a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription, Copilot Pro extends its capabilities to key Microsoft 365 apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote, enabling features like drafting and summarising documents in Word, generating outlines and designing slides in PowerPoint, managing emails in Outlook, and organising notes in OneNote. Additionally, subscribers receive 100 boosts per day for AI image creation, significantly enhancing their creative output. Here again, understanding what’s the difference between Microsoft’s Copilots, particularly Copilot Pro’s individual-focused approach versus the broader or business-centric versions, is crucial.
Microsoft Copilot for Dynamics 365
Price: Varies
Availability: Available now across various Dynamics 365 applications
Key Uses: Enhancing productivity and efficiency in customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP), automating tasks, generating ideas, providing insights using natural language, and improving customer service and sales processes.
Copilot for Dynamics 365 represents a significant leap in leveraging AI to enrich employee experiences and streamline operations across CRM and ERP systems. It empowers employees to automate routine tasks, generate creative ideas, and derive insights using natural language, thereby focusing on high-value activities. For sales teams, it optimises seller productivity by enabling automation of sales processes and augmenting seller actions with AI-powered insights. In customer service, it offers capabilities like summarising cases and conversations, composing emails or chat responses, and providing quick access to knowledge base sources. Marketing teams benefit from AI-driven customer insights, segment suggestions, and content creation tools, enhancing the personalisation and efficiency of marketing campaigns. Additionally, it supports various operations such as field service, project management, finance, and supply chain management by providing AI-assisted insights and automations to streamline workflows, improve decision-making, and enhance customer engagement.
Copilot for Power Platform
Price: Free
Availability: Copilot is generally available in Power Apps, Power BI and Power Automate.
Key Uses: In Power Automate – build, edit, and extend workflows using natural language and get help from AI powered chat. In Power Apps – build enterprise-grade applications faster and more easily with generative AI. In Power BI – use AI to illuminate hidden patterns, opportunities, and anomalies in your data.
Summary: Copilot for Power Platform is an AI-powered assistant designed to facilitate the creation of intelligent apps within the Microsoft Power Platform ecosystem. By leveraging large language models, it accelerates the development process, enabling users to build apps, automate workflows, and create virtual agents through conversational inputs. For app development in Power Apps, Copilot simplifies the process from data integration to app publishing, offering suggestions based on your data and preferences, ensuring that applications are both efficient and aligned with your business needs. Importantly, Copilot operates within a secure environment, ensuring that data and information are processed locally and in accordance with Microsoft’s responsible AI principles.
Microsoft Security Copilot
Price: Unconfirmed.
Availability: Currently available in an Early Access Program for commercial customers.
Key Uses: Incident response, threat hunting, intelligence gathering, posture management, security reporting.
Summary: Microsoft Security Copilot is a generative AI-powered security solution designed to enhance the efficiency and capabilities of security professionals. It operates at machine speed and scale, providing a natural language, assistive copilot experience for a wide range of security scenarios including incident response, threat hunting, and security posture management. Security Copilot leverages OpenAI architecture and security-specific plugins to generate responses, offering wide visibility into threats and the opportunity to extend its functionalities. It integrates with Microsoft’s security portfolio products such as Microsoft Defender XDR, Microsoft Sentinel, and Microsoft Intune, as well as with third-party services like ServiceNow. The solution is focused on improving security outcomes while adhering to responsible AI principles.
GitHub Copilot
Price: From £7.60 per user, per month (with annual commitment)
Availability: Available now for individual developers and businesses
Key Uses: Code suggestions, function generation, test acceleration, security vulnerability identification
Summary: GitHub Copilot is an AI-powered coding assistant that supports a multitude of programming tasks across various languages and IDEs. It is designed to enhance developer productivity by offering code completions, generating function and line suggestions, and providing chat and security vulnerability filtering. For individual developers, Copilot is priced at approximately £7.60 per month (or £76 annually), offering a 30-day free trial. The Business plan, targeted at organizational use, stands at approximately £14.40 per user per month, including advanced features such as chat support in IDE, CLI assistance, and IP indemnity, among others. An Enterprise option is also available at approximately £29.60 per user per month, requiring a GitHub Enterprise Cloud subscription, and includes personalized chat features, documentation search and summarization, and enhanced code review capabilities. GitHub Copilot is accessible for verified students, teachers, and open-source project maintainers at no cost, promoting educational and community development use.
Conclusion
Understanding the diversity and specificity of the Microsoft’s different Copilot offerings reveals a strategic vision aimed at leveraging AI to enhance productivity, creativity, and security across a broad spectrum of professional and personal computing environments. From the freely accessible Microsoft Copilot, which introduces AI-powered chat capabilities into daily computing via Windows 11 and Microsoft Edge, to 365 Copilot’s business-oriented enhancements for Microsoft 365 suite users, each variant is designed with distinct use cases and user bases in mind. Copilot Pro bridges these worlds, offering advanced AI features for individual Microsoft 365 subscribers, while GitHub Copilot targets developers with AI-assisted coding. Furthermore, specialized versions like Copilot for Dynamics 365 and Copilot for Power Platform cater to specific professional needs in CRM, ERP, and app development, respectively. Microsoft Security Copilot’s focus on cybersecurity underscores the importance of AI in safeguarding digital assets.
This comprehensive approach underscores Microsoft’s commitment to embedding AI across its product range, ensuring that whether one is coding, managing corporate resources, or simply browsing the web, there’s a Copilot designed to make the task more efficient and intuitive. Hopefully, you will now be able to understand the difference between Microsoft’s Copilots: a suite of tools poised to redefine our interaction with technology, tailored to meet diverse needs across the digital landscape.
About Emerge Digital
Emerge Digital is a technology and digital innovation business and Managed Services Provider (MSP) which provides solutions to SMEs that drive efficiency, competitiveness, and profit. Using comprehensive solutions, including outsourced IT support, cyber security, cloud infrastructure, and innovative technologies like process automation, data visualisation and AI – Emerge Digital enables businesses to invest in technology that supports them in achieving their goals.
Introduction
Embarking on the journey to implement a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system can often feel like setting sail across uncharted waters. With the promise of smoother customer interactions and more streamlined business processes on the horizon, it’s an adventure many organisations are eager to undertake. Yet, the question that looms large is: “How long does it take to implement a CRM system?”
The Voyage Time: Understanding CRM Implementation Duration
The duration to implement a CRM system can vary as widely as the sea itself. It’s influenced by numerous factors including the complexity of your existing processes, the size of your crew (or team), the CRM’s sophistication, and the level of customisation required. Typically, this journey can take anywhere from a few weeks to over a year. However, for most small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the voyage often spans between 3 to 6 months.
Imagine navigating through the misty mornings of initial planning, the afternoons of configuring and customising your CRM, followed by the tranquil evenings of training your crew. Each phase of the journey requires careful attention and time.
Charting the Course: Key Phases in CRM Implementation
1. Preparation and Planning – Like charting a map before setting sail, this phase involves defining the goals, scope, and specifications of your CRM project. It’s where you decide the destinations (objectives) you wish to reach.
2. System Selection – Choosing the right vessel for your journey is crucial. This entails selecting a CRM system that aligns with your business needs and goals.
3. Customisation and Integration – Tailoring your CRM to fit the unique contours of your business landscape involves customising features and integrating existing systems.
4. Data Migration – Akin to transferring cargo, this phase involves moving your existing customer data into the new CRM system safely and securely.
5. Training and Adoption – Preparing your crew for the voyage ahead, training ensures everyone knows how to navigate the new system efficiently.
6. Deployment – The moment of setting sail, where your CRM system goes live.
7. Evaluation and Adjustment – After embarking on your journey, it’s vital to assess the voyage thus far, making adjustments as necessary.
Navigating Through Mist: Avoiding Common CRM Implementation Pitfalls
Embarking on the CRM journey without recognising potential storm clouds can lead to perilous outcomes. Here are some strategies to ensure a smoother voyage:
1. Underestimating the Importance of Clean Data – Ensure your data is as clean and organised as a ship’s logbook before migration. Dirty data can lead to chaotic seas, making navigation through your new CRM system troublesome.
2. Skipping Customisation for Expediency – While it’s tempting to sail straight ahead with out-of-the-box solutions, failing to customise your CRM to fit your business can result in a journey filled with inefficiencies.
3. Neglecting Crew Training – A crew unfamiliar with navigating the vessel will struggle. Invest time in comprehensive training to ensure smooth sailing.
4. Ignoring Change Management – The seas of change management can be tricky to navigate. Address human elements and resistance to ensure your crew is ready and willing to embark on this new journey.
5. Failing to Set Clear Objectives – Without a destination in mind, it’s easy to get lost at sea. Define clear, measurable objectives for your CRM implementation to ensure you reach your desired port.
6. Overlooking Continuous Evaluation – Continuous evaluation is like keeping a lookout at the crow’s nest. Regularly assess the system’s performance and user feedback to make necessary adjustments.
Conclusion: The Harbour Awaits
Implementing a CRM system is a journey filled with anticipation, challenges, and learning. While the answer to the question “how long does it take to implement a CRM system?” can vary, understanding the phases involved and recognising potential pitfalls can significantly smooth the seas of your CRM implementation voyage. With careful planning, a dedicated crew, and a clear map, the journey can lead to the prosperous lands of improved customer relationships and business efficiency.
Remember, the goal is not just to reach the destination but to ensure that the journey strengthens your vessel, enriches your crew, and prepares your business for the many adventures that lie ahead.
About Emerge Digital
Emerge Digital is a technology and digital innovation business and Managed Services Provider (MSP) which provides solutions to SMEs that drive efficiency, competitiveness, and profit. Using comprehensive solutions, including outsourced IT support, cyber security, cloud infrastructure, and innovative technologies like process automation, data visualisation and AI – Emerge Digital enables businesses to invest in technology that supports them in achieving their goals.
Introduction
Navigating the intricate maze of today’s technology isn’t just a challenge—it’s a necessity for SMEs aiming to remain competitive. At Emerge Digital, we see this daily; businesses grappling with the need for robust software solutions, but facing budget and time constraints that make traditional development routes unfeasible. Enter low code development – a transformative approach that is democratising the world of software. Our role, as a seasoned digital innovation agency, is to offer you low-code solutions that are custom-fit for your specific business needs and objectives.
The Business Case for Low-Code
Cost-Efficiency
When we talk about investing in technology, the conversation often zeroes in on costs. It’s not a trivial matter; balancing the financial books is crucial for any SME. Low code development inherently challenges the costly status quo of traditional software development. According to a Forrester report, Microsoft’s low-code Power Platform can reduce development costs by 24%. In real terms, this means freeing up capital that can be reallocated to other essential business operations.
Speed to Market
Time, they say, is money, but in the fast-moving world of digital business, time is also opportunity. Utilising low-code solutions doesn’t just save you pennies; it saves you time. A study by OutSystems reveals that low code development can speed up application delivery of web applications, with developers 11% more likely to deliver in 4 months or less. In an era where market trends pivot at breakneck speeds, this rapid deployment is not just a convenience; it’s a strategic advantage.
Scalability
Scaling a business isn’t merely about adding resources; it’s about doing so intelligently. Here’s where low code development shines. The modular nature of low-code platforms makes it easier to adapt to growing business needs without having to reinvent the wheel each time. In a guest blog post on SAP’s website, IDC outline that low-code tools make it simpler to change an application based on the requirements of a business.
We understand the plethora of challenges and opportunities that SMEs face in today’s digital age. Through low-code solutions, we are not just offering a service; we’re offering a tailored path for your business to be more agile, efficient, and ready for whatever the future holds.
The Role of Managed Service Providers (MSPs)
Expertise
At Emerge Digital, our mastery of low-code platforms isn’t something that’s merely ‘nice-to-have’—it’s an indispensable asset. We understand the intricacies involved in implementing low-code solutions, tailoring them to suit specific business needs. An MSP brings this level of surgical precision to low code development, ensuring that the finished product isn’t just functional but optimised for peak performance.
Security
The question of cyber security is no longer an ‘if’ but a ‘when’. Cyber threats are a genuine concern for businesses, especially SMEs, who often lack the resources for a dedicated in-house security team. That’s where MSPs step in, weaving a tapestry of cyber security measures around low-code development. Our meticulous approach ensures that your low-code environment is as secure as a fortified castle, mitigating risks and vulnerabilities.
Ongoing Support
The real magic of working with an MSP like Emerge Digital lies in the continued service you receive. We aren’t in the business of fire-and-forget. Our ongoing support encompasses regular updates, performance reviews, and proactive measures to ensure your low-code solutions continue to serve your business goals.
Real-world Applications – A Case Study
Introduction
It’s one thing to talk about the theoretical advantages of low-code; it’s another to see it in action. Our engagement with Cazoo Wholesale offers a tangible illustration of how targeted automation can dramatically improve efficiency while reducing costs.
The Client and Challenge
With over three decades of experience in remarketing and managing vehicles, Cazoo Wholesale handles a voluminous flow of vehicles each week. The manual process of filing and retrieving V5c vehicle log book documents was not just laborious but also fraught with human error. Our mission was to streamline this process, helping the team to operate more efficiently and eliminate unnecessary costs.
Our Solution
We harnessed the capabilities of Power Automate, part of the low-code Microsoft Power Platform, to automate the cumbersome task of managing V5c documents. The manual labour of scanning and emailing these crucial files was replaced by an automated system that not only scanned the documents but also used artificial intelligence to extract and store key data. This process then relocated the files to an easily accessible SharePoint library.
The Outcome
The benefits of this automation were immediate and substantial. Team members now enjoy instant access to data regardless of their location, obviating the need to physically search through a cabinet or rely on onsite colleagues. Moreover, by limiting human interaction with these documents, we have drastically reduced the likelihood of misplaced or lost files.
Remarkably, the setup required just one day, and the ongoing cost of maintaining this automated solution is a mere £30.20 a month for 5000 credits.
Through this real-world application, we’re not just stating what low code solutions can achieve; we’re demonstrating it. It’s a vivid example that encapsulates our belief that strategic application of technology isn’t an expense but an investment—one that pays tangible dividends.
How Does Low Code Evolve with Your Business?
Adaptability
Change is the only constant in business. As your company grows, so too will your technological requirements. Herein lies another forte of low-code development: its remarkable adaptability. Its modular structure allows for easy customisations and alterations, enabling your software to evolve in tandem with your business goals.
Future-Proofing
In a digital age defined by rapid transformations, the concept of ‘future-proofing’ can almost seem like a pipe dream. But low-code solutions are inherently geared for longevity. Their upgradable structure means that as the tech landscape evolves, your low-code applications can adapt swiftly, ensuring you’re not left behind wrestling with obsolescence.
When you partner with us, what you’re investing in isn’t just a technological solution but a dynamic strategy for sustainable growth. The future is unknown but planning for it shouldn’t be a gamble; it should be a calculated strategy, and that’s precisely what we offer with our low-code solutions.
Why Emerge Digital Is Your Ideal Low Code Partner
Tailored Solutions
Your business is unique, and your technology should be too. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. At Emerge Digital, we put in the legwork to understand your business, dissect its challenges, and envisage its growth trajectory. This enables us to provide low code solutions that are precisely tailored to meet your distinct requirements and aspirations.
Experience
There’s no substitute for experience, and we have it in spades. Our proven track record spans not only low code development but also a comprehensive suite of services—from cyber security to data visualisation. When you partner with us, you’re gaining the benefit of years of expertise, channelled into creating solutions that fit your business like a glove.
Conclusion
The digital realm is constantly evolving, making the demands on SMEs all the more challenging. However, low code development stands out as a flexible, cost-effective, and secure solution to meet these challenges head-on. From saving costs and speeding time-to-market to offering scalability and robust security measures, low code solutions represent a potent tool for SMEs looking to thrive in today’s business landscape.
Your choice of partner in this journey is critical. At Emerge Digital, we offer more than just technical expertise. We bring a nuanced understanding of your business needs to the table, crafting solutions that propel you toward your objectives without compromise.
The way forward is clear: it’s time for SMEs to consider how low code can serve their long-term objectives. We invite you to leverage our expertise and services in making that transformative shift. Let’s build your future, today.