In the competitive world of interior design, you need all the help you can get, and one of the best ways to get it is through interior design business software. In fact, if you’re not using a business software solution already, it could be a game changer for your business.
Specialized Software
Many interior designers have been using generic software for years. These solutions are often very cost-effective, which is what attracts users to them. Sometimes, a firm simply doesn’t know where to turn and opts for generic software because it’s the first thing recommended to them.
The problem, of course, is that interior design is a highly specialized industry and generic programs simply don’t have the capacity to account for that. Accounting software like QuickBooks might work, but it’s not the most efficient or effective solution for doing the books of an interior design business. On the other hand, interior design business software is a solution designed specifically for use in the industry. QuickBooks might not be able to handle your discount codes or retainer fees, but interior design business software most definitely can.
Integrate
Another problem that has cropped up with generic software is that, generally speaking, no single program can fulfill all the functions an interior designer needs. That means that you might be using one program to do your accounting, another to place orders and schedule shipments, and yet another to track projects. That means your information is spread out in various files and programs—which can lead to miscommunication and errors.
Interior design business software eliminates this concern by integrating multiple functions into one product. Rather than a bunch of individual programs, you’re purchasing a solution. That means you can use interior design business software to manage projects from start to finish by tracking budgets, shipments and orders, supplies, and yes, even invoices and expenses. With everything in a centralized location, you can be sure you’re managing projects in a more efficient and cost-effective way.
Automate
The specialized nature of the interior design industry can make even rote tasks like generating invoices a tall order with generic software. You may need to use workarounds, for example, which can lead to imperfect or incorrect reporting or accounting. That translates into huge headaches for your business.
Business software made with interior design in mind doesn’t have the same limitations, which means you can use this tool more effectively. Tasks like invoice and report generation can even be automated.
Better Information Means Better Business
Another advantage of software designed for the industry is that it gives you better information about your business. If you need to know average project overruns, you can generate a report quickly and easily. Thanks to the centralization of information, you don’t need to go picking through various files and run complex calculations—the software can do that for you.
With all this information at your fingertips, you can focus on running your business in the most efficient way possible. You may be able to find redundancies in your processes: are you doing the same step twice over? Project management software can give you a better visual of how you’re working. If your projects are constantly over-budget, interior design business software can give you insight into why—and how—you can keep projects on budget.
