Page 14 - Gi September2020

staying ahead of the game

Your software systems should you require, and you can change your to-day work. It is vital to engage with
compliment each other, not compete for requirements instantly in real time. operatives rather than forcing down a
attention. Your operations management That also allows you to deploy your solution from the top. Bear in mind that
software must be capable of seamlessly solution quicker. field-based work needs an interface that
interacting with other business critical Return on investment is a key is straightforward and intuitive.
systems such as finance and HR. consideration. Software should be Work with operative users at the
The data captured in one platform an asset, rather than a liability. The requirements-gathering phase to
must be capable of being used in the right software, properly deployed, will understand their pressure points
others. Modern software is built with result in efficiencies and savings (or and frustrations. Keep the dialogue
integration in mind. additional revenue in some cases) that going during any testing, and through
For larger organisations running far outweigh the cost. the initial implementation phase.
enterprise resource planning (ERP) Remember the importance of flexibility
software, integration is absolutely Over the past three or and agility – your software should be
essential. ERP systems are incredibly four years, cloud-based capable of adapting very quickly to
powerful, but they are also very complex. address operative feedback.
They are not built for rapid change, infrastructure has become As a final consideration, and linking
which makes them largely unsuitable the new norm. Businesses are neatly back to the Ofgem RIIO-2
for managing field operations. An moving away from on-premise proposals, it is clear that sustainability
agile operations management solution and net zero reporting requirements
can provide the required adaptability solutions and heading toward will be increasing in importance
and responsiveness at a far more cost the cloud in tender processes. How can your
effective rate. software help you to demonstrate and
Over the past three or four years, Most companies would recognise record your activities, because it is
cloud-based infrastructure has become that it is great to have, for example, going to be essential in future.
the new norm. Businesses are moving compliance software that gives extra There is no perfect, one-size-fits-all
away from on-premise solutions and health and safety assurance to business solution out there, let’s be clear about
heading toward the cloud. There are a owners. However, it doesn’t deliver a that. However, if you do your homework
number of advantages to doing so. return on investment if it doesn’t save internally and externally, you can find
It avoids the need to purchase, store time elsewhere, or quantifiably reduce the right solution for your business.
and maintain expensive servers. It can claims or compliance costs. When you do find that solution, I assure
be accessed anytime, from anywhere, Another common argument we hear you that the difference it will make to
through a web browser. Data centres against technology is that field-based your business will be immense.
have the ability to employ security operatives won’t accept it. They don’t
measures which are beyond the budget like change. They won’t entertain new Ctrl Hub is a pioneering cloud-based
of most businesses, so your data is ways of working. Why waste our money? operations management software that
more secure there than it would be on I must say that our experience allows businesses to remotely manage
your own server. has been overwhelmingly positive. workforces in real-time while reducing
Cloud infrastructure is highly Operatives are very open to new legal risk and driving operational
available and highly scalable. You can methodology and technology, provided efficiencies. For more information visit
pay for as much or as little capacity as it assists rather than hinders their day- www.ctrl-hub.com

14

12/08/2020 10:32
CtrlHub.indd 3
CtrlHub.indd 3 12/08/2020 10:32