Businesses of all sizes, from SMEs to large enterprises, are discovering the vast capabilities of professional applications for mobile devices, such as point of sale, accounting, and invoicing apps. The benefits they bring compared to older systems and methods of business management are endless, with advanced reporting, data security, and flexibility being some clear examples. Despite their advantages, these newer business apps are not without their drawbacks; the majority are single-purpose and are only able to perform one function, forcing owners to integrate several mobile applications in order to get a complete system. However, a new generation of mobile business software called Modular Business Management Applications have overcome this last hurdle.
The Benefits of an MBMA
Modular Business Management Applications, such as Tillpoint, are defined by their ability to manage the key parts of a business, such as the POS or Staff, by using a system of modules, each dedicated to a certain area. A comparison may be drawn with smartphone; you have one app to check your calendar, another to browse the internet, and so on. An MBMA such as Tillpoint can be thought of in the same way. It’s a framework that contains modules (apps), each performing a specialised function, being extremely powerful even in their own right. This removes the need for business owners to integrate multiple applications to gain a complete system, which usually, by doing so, typically causes issues relating to speed, reliability, and data security.
A Cost-Effective Solution
Keeping costs low is usually a priority when attempting to maximise net profit. Using multiple apps to run a business incurs multiple monthly subscriptions, which can vary wildly depending on which apps are needed. One of the most popular types of professional apps would be iPad POS software, many of which come with a rudimentary inventory system or very basic customer management. Tillpoint, for example, has a Customers module which functions as a powerful CRM, which conveniently interconnects with all other parts of the MBMA system, along with over 20 other modules, saving users a great deal of money, as owners of businesses now only have to pay for one monthly subscription to gain access to a complete system, something which, until now, was not possible on mobile devices.
Scalable to Any Size
Unlike single-purpose apps, where users must add supplementary software, such as sales reporting or table management, to meet the demands of a growing business, an MBMA has everything neatly in one place already, whereby SMEs may use more modules, as and when required, with no obligation to use everything at once, and at no extra charge. One subscription that provides access to all modules and features makes scaling easy and cost-effective. The only thing small business owners need to pay for when experiencing rapid growth is additional terminals in which to run the Modular Business Management Application!
Cordy Bartlett is the Marketing Executive at Tillpoint, the cloud-based MBMA that enables retailers, bars and restaurants to control and run all facets of business operation, with access to powerful data intelligence.