Professional services software is coming into its own as a subset of the ERP industry at large.  The face of business changes and shifts and the logical outcropping of that is the growth of the specialized professional services software market.  Modern business models are rely upon the work of consultants and subcontractors as never before with a in the workforce from regular employee to independent contractor.   While large corporations still maintain subject matter experts, the consulting business has grown in response to the evolving marketplace.

ERP Software

Professional Services Software Professional Software for Professional Service Providers

Due to this business shift, the demand for efficient professional services software has also grown. Professional services software, like most business software applications comes in a variety of forms.Increasing demand has attracted the attention and efforts of developers toward providing third party professional services software in a robust marketplace. Professional services software and whether it runs as an integrated service management tool, cloud-based or stand-alone application often depends upon the size, type and business environment in which it will be used.

•    Small, mid-size and/or large service companies are all looking for: "Stand-alone" mode available to provide for easy integration and scalability for future infrastructure growth
•    Implementation effort minimized for quick deployment
•    Processes and automation optimized
•    Utilizes best practices

Highly configurable, professional services software systems are being customized meet the needs of service providers ranging from all walks of professional services life.  

The end-user who is served by this software application can run the gamut in terms of technology exposure. From the uber-techie IT consultant to a technology challenged plumbing contractor – all must have tools with which to efficiently bill the customer and more often than not less is more.  Consultants and builders, carpenters and doctors sell their time and expertise and billing efficiency equals increased cash flow, accuracy and profit.  

Professional services software currently on the market encourages the development and use best business practices in the billing arena and provide for greater transparency.  Software packages that have the ability to interface seamlessly with accounting systems makes dealing with invoice discrepancies a less onerous, nerve-trying task and for both the contractor and the customer.

More streamlined operations shift the focus to the service itself and minimize the time professionals spend on unrelated issues that are not an efficient use of their time or expertise.  Professional services software increases profit as it increases billing efficiency.

Professional software systems have a certain transparency built in to them that benefits customer relationship management (CRM).  Account specific portals are increasingly more common and allow the ability to administer their own service contract and schedule services. Payment is done electronically, making full use of e-commerce functionality.

Auditors appreciate the functionality that documents service and maintenance a service that benefits both the customer and service provider in retaining important certifications, such as, ISO, AS, PS, etc.  Professional services were once a rather mysterious area for budget consideration.  That is no longer the case as business has evolved to include professional services as a recognizable portion of any companies operating budget and thus get greater scrutiny than ever before.

Written by :

Don Cooper