3 Challenges Small Businesses Face Pt 1

Taking Back Control: Strategy not Hype

With a successful track record in the software industry for over twenty-five years, our team has learned a lot about the common issues that limit employee productivity in businesses like yours and how best to solve them. In this three-part series, we offer solutions to these common pain points. 

The first problem we encounter is the impulsive jump to software that business leaders make in either blaming it unfairly for their problems or hastily using it as a quick remedy, without addressing the real underlying issues. Expensive software might promise big things, but it often falls short of fixing the root problem when not properly investigated. We want to shift the focus back to the core issue and offer effective solutions that go beyond costly fixes. 

Understanding the Real Challenges 

We believe in understanding the problem before suggesting a solution. That's where our assessments come in. We take the time to dig into your business and truly understand how it operates by getting to know the different stakeholders tied to the inner workings of your company and form a picture of the gaps in operations. This helps us find the best answers for your unique needs, paving the way for solutions that lead to long-term success. 

A New Perspective: Simplifying Operations 

Our assessments often reveal ways to simplify operations rather than complicating them with unnecessary technology. Take, for instance, the results of a process review we did with a current customer. Though a custom-built application may deliver value in the long term, the initial solution came in the form of revisions to their Excel sheet and appointing employees to specific roles in updating the data. In the end, the most effective solution was better cross-department communication and not purchasing technology. 

Practical Solutions: Taking Charge of Your Business 

At Ablesoft Solutions, our goal is not just to point out problems but to empower you with practical insights and tools to tackle those challenges. We take pride in offering actionable recommendations that help you regain control without getting caught up in technology hype. 

Embrace Insight-driven Strategies: Your Path to Success 

Before rushing into software solutions, pause for a moment and let our assessments guide you. Embrace the power of insight-driven strategies and take control of your business challenges. 

At Ablesoft Solutions, we're not just experts; we're committed partners in your journey to success. Let's keep the conversation going. Together, we can overcome any business challenge. Curious to know how we can help your business? Take our quick Assessment quiz and find out in under three minutes. 

Choosing Your Family Part 2

Nearly three years ago, I emphasized the advantages of expanding both our team and our family as a small business owner in 'Choosing Your Family'. Since then, we have continued this trend by welcoming new team members to Ablesoft and adding new family members across the group. Business growth was bolstered by solidifying our core values and strengthening our software infrastructure. By doing so, we can now be more selective in our hiring process, ensuring that new hires align with our business and can provide value to customers more efficiently. Personally, I used to dismiss the concept of 'core values' as mundane, but now, having experienced the benefits it has brought to Ablesoft, I urge fellow business owners to invest in the topic more seriously. 
 
Since the article was written we added a full-time and part-time developer along with a sales and marketing intern. Carson, our part-time developer and a former pharmacy professional, joined us in October 2022 after transitioning to software development. His passion for gaming and computer building has proven invaluable in quickly grasping technical concepts and solving intricate problems. Brian and Jacob were both hired this summer. Brian, a recent computer science graduate, is working full time, applying his skills right away. Meanwhile, Jacob, a student at Illinois State, is exploring the value of software and learning how to effectively communicate it to others. 
 
In all three cases, our employment decisions were based not only on technical abilities but also on alignment with the core values we have refined over the past five years at Ablesoft: forward thinking, personable, accountable, value-driven, and adaptive. These values were derived from recognizing what our customers appreciate about us and the qualities we have observed in our long-term team members. However, their alignment with our values was not the sole reason for bringing them on board. Another contributing factor is our investment in the Ablesoft Core, our shared project structure used across applications. This infrastructure enables us to train and utilize the skills of junior developers much more efficiently than in the past. Our commitment to hiring based on core values and investing in the Ablesoft Core has yielded a productive work environment where new hires can quickly contribute to projects and feel engaged. 

In the past five years, our families have also experienced growth. Eric now has a two-year-old, I recently welcomed a four-month-old, and Alan will soon have two children joining his family. While we can't hold our children accountable to our Core values or utilize the Ablesoft Core with them, this period marks an exciting time of expansion for both our business and our families. We hope you take a moment to visit our team page and become familiar with the faces behind the software that provides you value.  

EMPLOYEE JUMPED SHIP?

ABLESOFT HELPS YOU STAY AFLOAT

Losing a valuable employee can be a nightmare for any business. The sudden departure of a key team member can throw your operations into chaos, leaving you struggling to manage important tasks and projects. But fear not, because we at Ablesoft are here to help you weather the storm.

Recently, a construction materials company faced a major challenge when one of their key employees resigned, leaving them without critical support for their shipping and receiving operations. The company was in a panic, unsure of how to keep their operations running smoothly and meet their customers' needs.

That's where we came in. Our expert developer quickly filled the gap and provided a seamless transition for the client. In just a few days, our developer learned the company's unique system and ensured that their work continued without any interruptions. As a result, the client was able to maintain high-quality work and customer satisfaction, despite the sudden departure of their key employee.

Not only did our solution save the company from the headache of rushing to hire a new developer, but it also saved them a significant amount of money - almost $60,000! Our level of professionalism and self-directed approach impressed the company so much that they chose to work with us over two other firms they were considering.

At Ablesoft, we pride ourselves on understanding our clients' needs and building long-term solutions to ensure their success. So, if you're facing the risk of losing a key employee or uncertainty in your business, don't hesitate to turn to us for quick and efficient solutions that will help you stay afloat and navigate even the roughest seas.

A Thirst for Quality: Alan's Beer Awakening

Meet Alan, the brewing maestro and coding extraordinaire at Ablesoft. In 2020, Alan's insatiable thirst for exceptional craft beers led him on a journey that would awaken a new passion. Embracing a full-fledged setup capable of brewing 10-gallon batches, he dove headfirst into the world of brewing. Little did he know that this venture would uncover an unexpected connection between his coding prowess and the art of beer crafting. Read along as we follow Alan's transformative journey from coder to brewer.

Sips of Symphonies: Blending Flavors with Code
At Ablesoft, Alan's expertise lies in creating software that surpasses expectations. With meticulous attention to detail, he solves problems and ensures your software is reliable and stable. Like a seasoned detective, Alan meticulously uncovers even the tiniest mistakes, much like a brewer carefully sifts through the perfect blend of ingredients to create the tastiest beer.

Driven by curiosity, Alan delves deeper into the captivating world of brewing. The enticing aromas, flavors, and textures of beer captivate his senses. As his experience grows, Alan leverages his software skills to perfect every aspect of the brewing process — precise measurement of ingredients, temperature control, and the harmonious blending of flavors.
Alan recognizes the shared demand for attention to detail in both software development and brewing. Just as he diligently documents his software work, he meticulously records his brewing recipes, ensuring consistent creation of exceptional beer. He actively engages in a community of brewers, eagerly learning from them and exchanging ideas to elevate his craft.
 
A Toast to Celebration: National Brew Day
On the legendary National Brew Day, Alan gathered his loved ones to revel in his quality brews. However, unexpected leaks and issues threatened to undermine his ambitious goal of brewing 30 gallons. The group quickly collaborated, and with quick thinking and determination, the brew team successfully brewed all 30 gallons that day. As Alan recounts the story, he believes that the challenges and triumphs of Brew Day mirror the invaluable support one finds at Ablesoft when faced with unexpected development roadblocks. 

With disaster averted, laughter filled the air as they toiled away, crafting liquid masterpieces, and sharing anecdotes that would be passed down through generations. It was a day of celebration, where software and beer collided in a symphony of joy and a chorus of clinking glasses.

Excellence in Every Sip: Inspiring Greatness through Software and Brewing
With every sip of his creation, Alan aims to bring the same joy and satisfaction experienced by small businesses using Ablesoft's software products. As a software developer and brewing enthusiast, Alan embodies a core value at Ablesoft — an unwavering dedication to quality. His journey should inspire all of us to appreciate the beauty of craftsmanship and strive to create something extraordinary.

Unleash the Power of Ablesoft: Discover Quality Software Solutions
Got any snags in the way your company operates?  Maybe Alan’s story inspires you to contact us directly – phone or email to meet Alan in person. Who knows, you might even get the chance to savor a home brew while discussing solutions to your business hang-ups. Cheers! 

FROM EXCEL TO EXCELLENCE

Streamlining Decision-Making for Better Business Outcomes: How One Team Transformed Their Purchasing Process

The purchasing team at a specialty packaging company in Illinois was facing mounting challenges due to the company's rapid growth and increasing demands. The team was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information they had to manage daily, leaving them feeling reactive instead of proactive. Outdated processes and Excel-based reports were no longer sufficient for managing a growing number of suppliers, products, and pricing options. It was clear that the team needed a more streamlined approach that would allow them to focus on critical thinking and making informed decisions. Enter Ablesoft.

Transforming the Purchasing Process: From Excel to Excellence

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 custom 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. The report empowered the team to make more informed decisions that not only saved time but also money and resources. Our report also provided a more comprehensive view of spending with vendors, enabling purchasing leaders to negotiate prices effectively.

Where Others Failed, We Succeeded

Despite previous attempts by other teams to solve this problem, our team delivered a solution that transformed the purchasing process. Our report was not only user-friendly but also delivered outcomes that positively impacted the business.

Passionate About Making Life Easier

At Ablesoft Solutions, we're passionate about making life easier for our clients. Our mission is to help businesses save time, work smarter, and make better decisions. We're thrilled to have had the chance to work with this purchasing team, and we're excited to partner with other companies to help them streamline their processes.

From Excel to Excellence: How Our Custom Reports Can Help You

If you're struggling with decision-making processes or need a customized solution to save time and improve outcomes, reach out to us. We'll work closely with your team to develop a tailored report that meets your unique needs. Our reports empower you to make informed decisions that can save you time and resources, and help you achieve better outcomes across your organization. Let us show you how we can take you from Excel to excellence.

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...