Wednesday, 07 October 2009 13:48 Written by Grant Melrose

This project addresses the problem facing many small businesses - getting the right software tools to help run the business, with a limited budget. Businesses may need, for example, contact management, CRM, financial accounting software, office tools, a website, a shopping cart, or even a full ERP system.

Small Medium Enterprises (SME's) may have few financial resources when starting a business, and usually do not have enough time to carry out day to day operational activity.

The right software tools can help save time and improve efficiency, however these can be expensive and may need considerable evaluation before making an investment.

But is there a low cost way to get these vital software tools? Can an enterprise acquire this software for free, or at very low cost (legally and ethically, of course), to effectively manage its business?

Can a business sensibly use free Open Source software to help run their operations?

Can they adopt low cost "Software as a Service" (SaaS)?

You may wish to research one or more of these applications, for example:

• customer contact management database
• customer relationship management (CRM)
• e-mail communication
• mass email campaign management
• document management
• spreadsheet
• website creation / content management
• graphics manipulation
• trouble ticket or help desk support
• time-sheet
• time and attendance
• customer billing and invoice management
• financial accounting
• online shopping cart
• online payment
• digital asset management
• resource booking / reservation
• project planning software
• enterprise resource planning (ERP) system
• network security
• inventory management
• online collaboration
  

A great outcome of the project would be to offer a "software for business in a box" package to local SME's / Engineering firms.

Awaiting applications from Warwick WMG students. Combination of technical and business skills required.

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