For growing businesses, making the right software choice is more than tech – it’s strategy.
When businesses rely on disconnected financial tools, they face several key risks: data inconsistencies, compliance failures, and a lack of real-time visibility. These issues can result in missed payments, inventory inaccuracies, and ultimately, poor decision-making.
“We often see clients struggling with systems that don’t talk to each other,” notes Stephen Howe, director of business solutions specialist Times 3 Technologies (T3T). “Cloud solutions can feel overwhelming, but the real risk lies in sticking with outdated, disconnected systems.”
Regulatory compliance – especially with emerging mandates such as ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) reporting – is also increasingly difficult with siloed systems.
In other words, making the right decision can be tricky. This is one of the reasons many businesses look to product reviews to guide them.
However, as Howe explains, companies also need to tread carefully when doing so.
“What you really want is real-world customer feedback on how a solution functions in the trenches. Businesses should pay close attention to reviews from similar industries and use cases or customer references to gauge fit and reliability. It’s not just about shiny features. It’s about how well the software supports your processes, and how well the vendor supports you.”
His advice for businesses vetting new accounting software is simple but crucial: “go beyond the brochure”.
“You need to understand the software’s usability, its configurability, and the vendor’s philosophy.” He also recommends working with solution providers who understand both the product and the industry.
So, what should companies watch out for in reviews?
Howe recommends looking for mentions of poor support, hidden costs, and misleading uptime guarantees. “Also, be wary of vendors offering canned demos without letting you ‘get under the hood’. A flashy interface is useless if the back end can’t support your needs.”
He also urges businesses to evaluate the total cost of ownership, and not just the immediate cost. “A solution might look affordable up front, but what happens in year two?”
For growing businesses, scalability and integration capabilities are paramount. Businesses will change over the next five years, but that does not mean their software will.
Howe advises companies to speak with existing users who’ve scaled with the product and ask about real-world experiences with new business requirements.
The power of informed decision-making cannot be overstated. Product reviews, when vetted carefully, are one of the most powerful tools businesses have to ensure their financial systems are future-ready.
“It’s not about the trendiest tech,” says Howe. “It’s about choosing a system that will grow with you, integrate seamlessly, and support your success well into the future.”