The Power of the All-In-One: How integrated software solutions are changing the game.
The term all-in-one often seems too good to be true. For many of us, the phrase is linked to memories of products that break after two uses. However when it comes to some technologies, all-in-one represents a whole new realm of possibilities. Software integration is critical for all businesses, regardless of industry. Technology companies are offering integrated and holistic platforms which can be configured as you see fit. Whether you use this software as a frontline worker, or as a CEO reviewing business performance, these tools offer seamless solutions to our everyday problems and are revolutionizing the way forward.
Implementing a unified platform is truly the best approach to solving issues occurring throughout a business. A system that is multi-faceted allows for things like troubleshooting, management, and end-user interaction. Activating an account with these platforms (including ours at Appspace) ideally can be done in just a few clicks. Configuration is simple and quick, so features that best suit you and the business can be implemented immediately. This means that these platforms can grow and adapt to your business, which in turn reduces time using several different apps and also time spent swapping to new software.
The best of these all-in-one platforms are compatible with existing hardware and technology infrastructure, meaning that integration is possible regardless of your prior setup. While this sounds simple, it also has real results. For example, Appspace’s single platform was chosen to replace multiple point products across dozens of locations for a global Fortune 150 company. This generated over $2.5m in annual technology savings, leading to more than a 6X ROI. Not only did it save money, but it also saved time and effort.
While the term connectivity has human connotations, connectivity from a technology perspective can be represented in many different ways, such as dozens of best-of-breed products that are truly unified. Setting up connectivity between multiple, separate apps can be tedious but has many benefits, which is why many businesses should opt for a unified platform.
Firstly, all-in-one platforms allow for much easier data storage and it mitigates data loss. Accurate data is essential, and loss of this can be catastrophic for any business as 67% of enterprises now rely on this data integration to support analytics. All-in-one software offers both local and remote storage of data, meaning backup systems are in place at all times. These solutions make management of this straightforward and simple. Control of the network is also made easier by this. As networks are like multifaceted organisms, controlling and maintaining all branches can be a full-time job.
Trying to locate a network error can be similar to finding a needle in a haystack, particularly if you aren’t technologically savvy. Integrated systems allow for the overall management of this with software that notifies you when errors occur. Most platforms have a simple overview page that shows you what and where the problem is. Troubleshooting is made simple. Not only does this save money, but this saves a huge amount of time normally spent locating the issue. Integrating these applications can take days if you do them yourselves, so why not take advantage of the innovative and incredible platforms on the market.
It’s important to note that often, this software requires hardware as well, and this is often underestimated in terms of cost. In some cases, hardware within a whole company can end up costing more than the software itself. Being able to repurpose and reuse existing hardware within a business is essential. Connectivity between these pieces and software should be configured to suit the current infrastructure.
In terms of the actual process of software integration, building this from scratch can be lengthy depending on the size of the systems. Automating this process can also be costly, however, for many businesses this is essential. This makes innovative, all-in-one platforms all the more appealing since the integration work has already been taken care of. This also reduces the risk of lost data and the system’s open architecture enables it to work with your existing infrastructure.
From a user’s perspective, all-in-one software is efficient, flexible, and less costly. A common example of this is within the normal workplace. Using a platform that has everything means less time is spent jumping between different apps. They can be used both at home and in the office and workers can customize their experience with the software. This offers them the freedom to take initiative and configure according to their working style. It allows for dual-channel communication between employers and employees which in turn has been linked to employee retention. Investing a bit of extra time in setting this up can save you more time and money in the long run.
The future of all-in-one software is a bright one. These platforms are becoming extremely intelligent and are incorporating features such as AI and machine learning. In the case of our own unified workplace experience platform, this can be through things like suggesting a preferred desk in desk booking services, or by message suggestions. Automatic API updates are also becoming more popular, and many systems can now self-diagnose issues in the network before they even happen.
A large focus of this relies on integrating software and working together. Additionally, Appspace has now incorporated Beezy’s (a modern intranet provider) services to bring new features to the platform. By bridging the gap between the digital and physical world we create environments in which it is easy for us to thrive and reach our potential. All-in-one software provides us with the opportunity to do just that, and it’s time we change our perception of the word.
