KISS and tell: Our Secret to Your Success

Have you ever heard of the KISS principle? It stands for "Keep It Simple, Stupid" and though we try to avoid criticizing the intelligence of our customers and colleagues, there is value in the message. We believe complicated software can be a real pain, and that's why we're all about creating straightforward and easy-to-use software that simply put, gets the job done. 

Many businesses fall into the trap of thinking they need to start from scratch and reinvent the wheel every time they want to solve a business problem with software. Too much effort and cost toward a solution without clearly defining the problem results in a convoluted mess that causes more problems than it solves. 

That's where the KISS principle comes in. We believe that sometimes, simple is more than enough to solve your business problem. Custom software development doesn't have to be a lengthy, complicated process that drains your resources. By focusing on simplicity and usability, we can create software solutions that are tailored to your specific needs and integrate seamlessly into your existing workflows. We took this logic and applied it to Ablesoft Core, the baseline in which we build applications. Instead of repeatedly building the same features that underpin many of our customer's applications we re-use the pieces that do not require customization  
 
Copy, Paste, Errors, Repeat… 

Here's a real-life example of the KISS principle in action: a manufacturer in the Midwest was struggling with a production report that was causing them more headaches than it was worth. The report, which was based on an Excel spreadsheet, required a lot of tedious copying and pasting of data. This process often led to franticly resolving mistakes before sharing the report with the company's leadership.

Instead of creating a complicated new system from scratch, we applied the KISS principle. We took the existing report and converted it into an automated version that did all the heavy lifting. By streamlining the process and pulling the necessary data automatically, we eliminated the need for manual copying and pasting. The new system ran the necessary calculations automatically, which significantly reduced the risk of errors. The best part was that it was simple, efficient, and effective.

Keep it Simple, but Effective 

At Ablesoft, we take the KISS principle seriously. We believe that custom software should be tailored to each client's specific needs and should integrate seamlessly into their existing workflows. We approach each project with a positive attitude, a bit of humor, and a creative mindset. We're not just here to solve problems – we're here to make the process enjoyable too. 
 
KISS the mess goodbye 
 
So, if you're struggling with complicated software that's causing more headaches than solutions, give us a call. We'll show you that custom software development can be a fun, straightforward, and effective process. And to get started, take our assessment quiz to see how custom software can help your business. Our quick and easy quiz will help you identify areas where custom software could benefit your business. You'll get personalized results that highlight specific solutions. 

Don't let complicated software hold you back. Keep it simple, stupid. Let us show you how custom software development can simplify your business. 

From March Madness to Data Madness

From March Madness to Data Madness: How Custom Reporting Can Help Your Business Score Big

It's March Madness season, and while basketball fans across the country are filling out their brackets and placing their bets, many businesses are also looking to score big despite playing with outdated processes and Excel-based reports. With custom reporting from Ablesoft your business will have the insights needed to make informed decisions and win big, even after this March Madness season. What is custom programming? Custom programming helps you gather information from different places and turns it into an easy-to-understand playbook for your business.

The Madness of Outdated Processes
Running a business with outdated processes and reports is like trying to play basketball with a deflated ball – you can still shoot, but the results won't be pretty. Outdated reporting and other processes can create bottlenecks, slow down decision-making, and lead to missed opportunities. By upgrading to custom reporting, your businesses can stay shooting straight against the competition. That’s where we can help. We recently teamed up with the purchasing department at a specialty packaging company in Illinois who found themselves drowning in a sea of data leading to slow reactions and delayed purchasing decisions. They were essentially "betting" on their old Excel processes to work, hoping their legacy of success would continue anyway. 
 
A Cinderella Story: How Custom Reporting Saved the Day
Collaborating closely with the team, we developed a custom report that provided the purchasing and supply chain information they needed in a centralized, easy-to-use format. By tailoring the report to the unique requirements of the team, we were able to provide a solution that made a significant difference. Our report saved the purchasing team an impressive 3-4 hours per week, freeing up their time to focus on more strategic work such as evaluating suppliers and negotiating prices. It was like watching the underdogs make a comeback to the Sweet 16 – except this time, it was a team of business professionals making strides thanks to the power of custom reporting.

Finding Your Sleeper Pick: Analyzing Real-Time Data for Success
Our Cinderella team overcame adversity and succeeded against the odds; proving businesses that embrace our custom reporting solutions can achieve success that might otherwise seem impossible. It's not just about finding that sleeper pick – it's about having the tools and resources from our developers to analyze data, identify opportunities, and make informed decisions that lead to real results.

Take it to the Big Dance: Take Our Free Assessment Quiz
Don't let outdated processes and reports be the reason why you don't make it to the big dance. Act now by taking our free assessment quiz and decide if you need a new game plan. If your need ranks high, our assessments produce insight into how our custom solutions save your business time, make better decisions, and achieve better outcomes across your organization.
The competition is fierce, and every game counts. Don't wait until it's too late to make a change. Take our free assessment quiz today and give your business the advantage it needs to make a deep run into the championship rounds.

Custom Software: Who Needs a Breakup When You Can Have a Love Story

Who says custom software isn't romantic? Not us! We recently came across an article called "Your Relationship with Your Developer: Is It Time to Break Up?" and it got us thinking about the similarities between a business's relationship with its software developers and a romantic relationship. Just like in love, communication and the honing of the right skills are essential for success. If these boxes aren't checked, it might be time to say goodbye. But here's the thing: just because Valentine's Day is over doesn't mean your business should stop receiving the love and attention it deserves to achieve success. At Ablesoft, we believe that custom software is the ultimate love story for a business.  

We're helpless romantics (okay, maybe we're embellishing a bit), and we see parallels between the world of love and the world of custom software. Here are just a few of our observations: 

Personalization Matters 

Tailored efforts and approaches are necessary for certain occasions and business needs. A drugstore card may suffice on Valentine's Day, but a 20th wedding anniversary requires a more personalized touch. In business, meeting unique requirements demands customized attention. Recognizing these distinctions is key to achieving optimal results. 

Communication Is Key 

Just like in any relationship, clear communication is essential for a successful partnership between businesses and developers. When communication breaks down, frustration, misunderstandings, and a lack of trust can arise, jeopardizing the relationship. Trust is the foundation that enables end-users to be open about their processes, field questions, and identify problems accurately. Without it, time and resources can be wasted in meetings, only addressing the symptoms rather than the root cause. By maintaining open and honest communication, businesses and developers can cultivate a strong and lasting partnership that benefits both parties. 

Investment Pays Off: Don't Settle for Mediocrity 

Just like in any relationship, settling for mediocrity can lead to disappointment and missed opportunities. When it comes to software solutions, some vendors offer flashy features that are liken to grand gestures, but they do not solve the core business process problem. With custom software, you can enjoy the benefits of incremental improvements that last. Investing in custom software pays off in the long run, ensuring your business always has the latest technology and tools to stay ahead of the game. With a dedicated focus on continuous improvement, custom software can be a dependable and trustworthy partner that supports your business every step of the way. 
 
Take That First Step: Let's Go on a First Date 

Let's take that first step and go on a first date with Ablesoft Solutions!  

At Ablesoft Solutions, we're all about love and commitment - to your business, of course! Just like any successful relationship, we believe that clear communication, commitment, and investment are the keys to success. That's why we're invested in your success and dedicated to providing you with customized software solutions that meet your unique business needs. 

If you're looking for a customized software solution to solve a business problem, consider taking the first step with Ablesoft Solutions. Our developers are like the perfect date - they'll listen to your needs, understand your preferences, and create a personalized plan that's tailored just for you. Take our free assessment quiz to get started - it's like a compatibility test for your business! From there, we'll set up a meeting to create a personalized plan that's guaranteed to make your operations leaner, more secure, and more data-driven. 

I’ll just leave with this last thought:  

Roses are red, violets are blue, take our assessment quiz, it's made for you. We'll create a solution, personalized and true, to make your business thrive, and make it anew. 

With Ablesoft Solutions, you'll never have to fear, Communication breakdowns, we'll make it clear. Your software will be tailored to you, efficient, secure, and customized too. 

I told you we were helpless romantics... 

4 Types of Resolutions that Fail (and How to Save Yours) Featuring: Holiday Video

Four Resolution Types that Fail (and How to Save Yours)
  

It’s a tradition each January.  We share with our friends and family our New Year’s resolutions to improve ourselves. But as tradition goes, by February we’re chuckling about our naïve January selves. If you’re guilty of falling off the wagon already this year, you and your business are not alone. Studies and surveys  show 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail within weeks after January 1st. So how can we do better, and how can we transfer these methods to your business goals?

Here are four types of resolutions we’ve observed fail for our clients; and how to keep both you and your business motivated all year.

The Unrealistic Resolution
Creating unrealistic resolutions, such as “become a Fortune 500 company” as a start-up business, is not realistic (for now) Don’t get us wrong – do dream big. But big dreams do not chart an attainable course within a year. Our targets need to be gradual, sustainable, and supported by good habits. Thinking smaller may not feel inspiring in the short term, but it will lead to inspiring results.

The Vague Resolution
Sometimes, New Year’s resolutions fail simply because they’re too broad: “save more money,” “get organized,” and “be a better communicator” are examples of professional goals that lack any real specificity. This can be problematic for three reasons:

1. They’re not actionable. It’s difficult to know what exactly you need to do to achieve your goal.

2. They’re difficult to measure. It’s difficult to create mental milestones of success, as there’s no defined end goal.

3. They lack accountability. If a goal is too vague, it seems more like an aspiration rather than a practical, real-world target. With no target to aim for, you aren’t accountable for hitting anything.

The vague resolution is like playing darts and ignoring the bullseye of the target. Without aiming toward the bullseye, you’re just throwing darts at the wall.

The Goal-Obsessed Resolution
 “Goal-obsessed resolutions” fail when the focus heavily relies on the result, you cheat the process. A resolution to lose 15 pounds can be realized in 12 days by controversial measures, but what is sure to happen a week later? The lost weight is quickly found again. Similarly, declaring a new management system implemented by 4th quarter without regard to valuing the incremental process of small changes will produce frustrated employees and likely a breakdown of processes. By focusing on the pursuit rather than achieving the goal itself develops a healthy set of habits to aid in succeeding.  If you need help forming the goals in improving your systems contact Ablesoft to learn about our assessments.

The Resolution out of Leftfield
Often brand-new goals have great intentions, but without established habits and attainability, the scope may be misaligned to your business and what is possible based upon past accomplishments. For instance, setting a personal goal to complete a triathlon this year can generate short-term excitement, but if it’s your first time in the gym, you might want to re-consider your goal. Forming goals in line with your company’s strategy and past-accomplished goals, you are more likely to succeed. Our Marketing team meets quarterly to review our long and short-term business goals. In forming our quarterly goals, we evaluate the previous quarter performance and form the next quarter targets based on our results. In doing so, we are building on what has already been established and encourages forward momentum.

Form Attainable Resolutions with Ablesoft
We may not be able to help you complete that triathlon, but we can help you form manageable resolutions for your information systems. Take our short quiz (here) as a first step in your journey to a more valuable system for your business.

The Gift of Mentorship: 6 Tips to Get you Started

The Juniors and Programmer, Eric Bruns definitely "not" posing for the sake of this article.

It’s that time of year we’re most likely focused on giving. The leadership team at Ablesoft suggested in lieu of a holiday bonus, the gift of satisfaction would be given to employees in the establishing a mentorship program. This idea was met with swift mutiny from the rest of the staff, but once the dust settled (and bruises were iced), conversation about the benefits gained from a mentorship-relationship between senior staff members and less experienced co-workers influenced this guide.  

Six tips for mentors to cultivatie a workspace for mentees to thrive: 

1. Be a teacher, not just a resource 

Ultimately, your goal as mentor is to equip your counterpart with skills that guide them toward self-sufficiency. Junior developers can grow their personal set of skills by continuously exposing themselves to real projects and discovering problem-solving methods. By purposefully diving deeper than surface responses from their mentor, it won’t be long before the mentee is able to work independently.  

2. Nurture opportunities for shared growth 

The faster a mentee can feel they are contributing to the team the better. It’s always exciting when a junior developer submits “billable work” to clients for the first time, but their contributions to the team can be delivered sooner.  For example, if a new customer requires the use of a technology that the junior developer is more familiar with than the rest of the team, you may give them an opportunity to teach the more senior employees on its features and value. A promising developer who can contribute to the team early will build confidence and momentum faster. 

3. Remember your first day 

Your mindset when mentoring can be positively influenced by putting yourself in their shoes and remembering your first weeks (or years) on the job. I asked the current junior staff members at Ablesoft what has been most impactful during their training and the adjectives ‘patience’, ‘time’, and ‘grace’ seemed to be the common sentiment. They were thankful for experienced co-workers taking the time to patiently guide them through new environments and offer solutions to mistakes that hindered progress. They felt safe to learn at their own pace. Make it a habit to regularly reflect on your own experience when you were fresh – what impacted you most positively? Do more of it. What impacted you negatively? Do better.  

4. View mentoring as an investment

Titles aside, if your team is expanding, junior employees are probably among the new hires. Whether you are obligated to take on a mentee or not, your team will benefit from the time you spend effectively mentoring juniors. 

The team will eventually benefit as the juniors grow more independent and are able to handle jobs without as much direct supervision. But to do this effectively, they require the time of a mentor who can provide them with the necessary training and direction. 

5. Communicate often with humility  

Your mentee may feel the pressure of ‘imposter syndrome’ and you might feel pressured to know all the answers. Setting your mentee at ease by being honest about your knowledge gaps will encourage them to ask questions. Eric Bruns, Programmer, notes that it is important for mentees to not be afraid to ask questions. “Asking questions can be difficult for some people who want to try and figure everything out on their own, but ultimately if the answered could be learned quicker, that is helpful for both parties. 

6) Mentor where it is valued 

At times the conversation between a mentor and mentee may extend beyond work into practical life skills. As a mentor, sharing past mistakes or habits that have brought yourself much value can be life changing to an employee who is starting off. For one of the team members, a question around Ablesoft’s IRA matching program evolved into meetings around personal finance and budgeting.

Neglecting to invest in mentees is similar to neglecting investing in the systems your business relies on. Both are missed opportunities, at best. At worst, ignoring the needs hurt you long term.  Consider our application assessment to know how best to invest in your system. 

Bonus Gift: 

Next month, our developers wish to offer another gift to better your business software in 2023. Visit our website (here) where we’re just putting on the final bows and wrapping paper. 

All hands on deck to mentor the next generation!

Yeah!

Getting Festive (Despite the Hassle)

As I type this at my desk, a naked Douglas fir eagerly awaits its decorations. What should be an iconic token of the Christmas spirit, instead more closely resembles an environmental statement. Truthfully, we can view its bare branches as a symbol of neglecting simple tasks.

Between hosting friends and family, shopping for gifts, and decorating our own homes; the neglected office becomes a place where Christmas spirit lies barren. An office vacant of holiday cheer indicates the values of gratitude, giving, and coming together are reserved only for our personal lives. But are they not central to a well-run organization?

Per usual, delegating holiday tasks wasn’t met with enthusiasm across the leadership team of Eric, Dad, and myself. However, these inconveniences were viewed as necessary in transforming the office into a more welcoming and playful work environment. After frequent reminders, trips to the store, and solicitation of family members, we were on track to spread some holiday cheer at Ablesoft.  

Follow me to join our festive journey below:

First stage: unboxing while pretending to be excited. (ft. Sister Caitlin)

Second stage: arguments on décor location and distractions by non-contributors. (Ft. Sally, Noel and Eric)

Third stage: making progress amidst the chaos.

Fourth stage: things are starting to come together for the great reveal….

Fifth stage: the final product.

Sixth stage: denial of prior ill-feelings toward decorating and admiration from afar.

Like most dreaded tasks, the actual process was less painful and dare I say, even fun. The results were worth the effort to boost office morale and lift the spirits of our downtown pedestrians.

Now excuse me, I have a tree to decorate.

—Ben

Douglas. The bare fir.

Not Grateful for Your Systems? Get Ready to Assess the Mess

Two weeks away from sitting around the table with family for Thanksgiving, we thought brushing up on what we are thankful for would be a worthwhile move. So like all good Marketing teams, we forced this idea upon the staff of Ablesoft and demanded they come up with some things they were thankful for both professionally and personally. Here were some of their highlights: 

Eric, the Project Manager of ASI, said that he’s “thankful for a team of developers that regardless of experience and tenure help each other out and are such a great group to work with.” On a personal note, he’s also thankful “for a healthy and happy boy who is growing up way too fast.” 

Our Account Executive, Michelle, chimed in as well. She’s grateful for ASI’s lunch meetings at the sandwich shop and for taking the time to just chat outside the office. She also values family outings.  

Noel, our President, gives thanks for his wife Sally, that she’s happy and fulfilled in her retirement. And that teaming up with his two sons at Ablesoft has been a satisfying and rewarding venture. 

Alan, our Senior Programmer Analyst, says he’s grateful to ASI for the supportive family atmosphere. We couldn’t agree more. In terms of his personal life, he expresses thanks for his healthy family. Sounds like he’s right on track for some great personal values.  

Carson, our Developer Intern, says of his personal gratitude moment: “One event that I’m thankful for in 2022 is traveling and visiting California because I have never been there and always wanted to go. It was nice to leave Illinois for a little and just have a nice chill week.” 

We’re sure California was a breeze in the weather compared to Illinois temps. We’re glad to have him on the team. Speaking of, Carson says that he loves the learning opportunities available to him at ASI. Like our other team members, he’s a big fan of the working atmosphere and culture.  

Our Programmer Analyst, Andrew, keeps it simple. He’s grateful for GPS computers as well as the Visual Studio IDE at ASI. For those who don’t know, Visual Studio is a computer program that’s used to develop websites, web apps, services, and mobile apps. No wonder he’s a Programmer! 

Edgar, the youngest Programmer Analyst, is thankful he isn’t required to be a slave to clocking in and out full time in the office. Saving gas money with hybrid work is definitely a perk. Outside of work, he is thankful for his Kindle reader and the knowledge he’s gained from reading. He even ranks his Kindle one of the “top 5 purchases in life so far, next to my bidet.”   

Ben, our Vice President, is blessed to receive a new gift in his life–a baby! He says he’s “thankful for having a baby on the way and nearly completing the never-ending renovations of our home.” When it comes to business, he feels gratitude for ASI’s projects that keep him interested and engaged, the commitment of the employees, and of course, the new air fryer in the kitchen. We get it. It rocks to have fried potatoes in minutes without using any oil. 

Our Creative analyst Lisa shares that she’s thankful for all mundane moments with her growing boys. When it comes to working, she appreciates the growth and flexibility of ASI’s innovative marketing approaches. 

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We shared a lot about the people and situations that brought us joy and value. As software developers, however, we would be remiss if we didn’t recognize the solutions we developed for our customers. If your systems are bringing more frustration than gratitude, please continue reading.    

Shop Floor Apps 

We want to take the time to thank Ablesoft Core for allowing businesses to grow and scale. We’ve seen our clients grow to new heights thanks to the power of customizing shop floor apps to help your specific processes and goals. We’re committed to quality, productivity, and continuous improvement. That’s something to say thanks for.  

Fixed Cost Assessments 

Our fixed cost assessments provide value to organizations who feel their systems are a mess. We work to understand your business methods and offer cost-saving solutions to modernize your systems. 

Some Extra Gratitude 

Overall, we’re so grateful to assist companies in their process to become fully modernized while retaining their core focus and strengths.  Visit our website to see how we are about to give back in 2023. Are you ready to assess your mess?  

5 Skills Developers Have that You Need

When it comes to developers, we all know having the right technical skills is a must. However, the non-technical skills are just as important. In this What’s News post, we'll discuss five of the most crucial non-technical skills that developers exercise that every employee should work on.

1. “Communication, Communication, Communication”
Communication is to software development, as location is to purchasing a home. It is critical. When they are not meeting internally daily to review project status, the developers are connecting with clients bi-weekly for project updates.

2. No Egos
Every developer will run into problems in every project. In fact, our developers are encouraged to raise challenges they are currently facing so problems can be solved as a team. Accepting failure as a learning opportunity and effectively searching for solutions separates the good developers from the great ones.

3. Learn to Love Targets
Our developers juggle both customer deadlines and internal targets formed during weekly team meetings. These deadlines are important not only to maintain customer satisfaction, but for team accountability.

4. Thirst for Knowledge
Developer success depends on the ability to embrace learning while life is in constant motion. As Microsoft pushes out new technology, Ablesoft assigns a team member to present the updates to the rest of the developers to stay relevant with the rest of the industry.

5. Keep it Simple
Finally, do not "over engineer". Meaning: the most complex solution is not always the best. Additionally, if something works do not spend time recreating it. Our developers took this motto to heart in building the ASI Core. It serves as the technical bedrock we use across our applications to avoid starting from scratch for each project.

Our group of developers are unique in that they exhibit all these skills in addition to being technically skilled. If your business software systems are not running at peak performance, visit our website (https://www.ablesoftsolutions.com/tech) to see how we can simplify your organization’s processes with a custom app using the efficiency of the ASI core.