Best productivity & operations software and services

What is productivity software?

It’s important to understand the range of tools and services that fall under the productivity and operations software umbrella. Business productivity software can be as simple as a basic text editor for taking notes, or as complex as a tool that creates workflows and automates tasks across several programs and applications. The range of solutions available means that there’s the right operations management software out there for businesses of every stripe.

For example, business productivity software can be grouped into the following types.

Project management

Software that helps teams plan, track, and manage projects, such as Trello, Asana, and Vendasta’s Task Manager.

Time management

Time-tracking tools and scheduling helpers for boosted efficiency, such as RescueTime, Toggl, and Focus@Will.

Communication and collaboration

Operations management software that helps teams, regardless of location or time zone, communicate and work better together, such as Slack, Google Voice, Microsoft Customer, and CrankWheel Screensharing.

Automation

Focus on meaningful, high-value work by automating repetitive tasks with operations software like Zapier and Automate.io.

Customer relationship management (CRM)

Suites of tools (or ecosystems) that work together to help businesses build better customer relationships by managing touchpoints with sales, marketing, and support, with examples such as Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, and the Vendasta platform.

Accounting and finance

Operations management tools for businesses looking to manage their finances and accounting processes in a streamlined, organized fashion, with examples such as QuickBooks, FreshBooks, and Xero.

HR

Software for managing human resource functions, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and benefits administration, such as BambooHR, Zenefits, and Gusto.

Oftentimes, businesses need digital productivity tools from across several of these buckets to function properly. As the nature of work becomes more complex and hybridized, especially given the rising prevalence of remote-friendly environments, productivity software is an essential rather than a “nice to have”. Operations management tools are a core aspect of any comprehensive digital solution offering.

What is productivity software used for?

For example, operations management software can include project management tools for time-tracking to reduce scope creep, as well as communication tools that remove any friction from collaborating and knowledge sharing. Additionally, productivity software includes time management tools that help employees prioritize effectively and manage their busy schedules.

By using business productivity software, businesses can focus on high value, relationship-building, creative work and reduce the time and effort that goes into completing routine tasks. Freed from monotony, teams can operate more strategically to greater success for a higher impact.

How to drive further productivity through operations management software?

Automating invoicing:

Digital marketing agencies and other businesses can use operations management software to automate processes such as invoicing and reporting. This ensures that both necessary functions are delivered on a consistent cadence. Automating these tasks also saves time and reduces errors by eliminating manual data entry. Some operations management tools offer integration with accounting software and CRM dashboards, further streamlining the invoicing and reporting process.

Collaborating on content creation:

Content is king (or queen), and creation is an essential aspect of many businesses. Operations software helps teams collaborate more effectively on this task, even if everyone is working remotely. For example, a team might use a content management system to establish a content calendar, delegate tasks to team members, and track progress. By centralizing the content creation process and providing real-time visibility into progress, teams using business productivity software can collaborate more effectively, reduce the risk of miscommunications or delays, and deliver higher-quality content.

Monitoring social media engagement:

The best productivity software will make life easier for social media managers by helping them (and businesses in general) monitor their performance across various platforms. For example, operations software can include social media management tools that track engagement metrics (likes, shares, comments, and more). Businesses then use these insights to refine and optimize their social strategies. By tracking performance in real time and adjusting their strategy accordingly, businesses can get a leg up in driving engagement that turns into more leads and sales.

Optimizing ad campaigns:

Advertising is a key aspect of many businesses, and operations management tools can optimize ad campaigns – which otherwise can be expensive and time-consuming. As an example, a team could use a marketing automation tool to track the performance of several ad campaigns at once. Afterwards, they can use this data to adjust targeting, messaging, or any creative aspects of the ad. By optimizing ad campaigns on an ongoing basis with productivity software, businesses can drive higher conversion rates, which leads to more revenue.

Providing training and support:

In conclusion, operations management software can drive further productivity by facilitating training and support to teams. For example, operations software like a project management tool can assign training tasks, track employee progress throughout the learning process, and provide ongoing feedback. By investing in training and support, businesses are prioritizing their greatest asset: Their people. The best productivity software can help teams stay up to date on the latest tools and techniques, driving further productivity and success.