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Tips for Getting the Most out of a Brand-New Software Platform

Upgrading to a different kind of software, whether it is software for enterprise data room solutions, CRM, or even antivirus software, is a huge commitment. Most businesses don’t upgrade to a new software platform unless it has a lot more to offer than a current platform that’s being used, or it promises to make life a lot easier for employees.

However, just because there’s a lot of promise with a new software platform doesn’t mean it will deliver. There’s a lot to learn, and if you don’t take the time to learn it all, you won’t get the most out of everything it has to offer.

Take the Time to Learn as Much About the New Software as You Can

You probably spent a lot of time researching the software before deciding to buy it, but no matter how many hours you put into your research, your work isn’t even close to being done.

Once you have the software, you have to learn everything you can about how to use it. That might mean reading through information online and playing around with it yourself, but it also means taking advantage of all the learning tools that are provided by the software company.

Video tutorials are a great way for students of all kinds to learn, so many software companies offer a video tutorial when learning the basics about their platform. Sign up for an e-newsletter to get tips and check out the company’s blog to learn more.

Don’t rush the process. Block out time in your schedule so you feel like you can take the time you need to learn all the details.

Request a Training Session

No one knows the software better that the company that built it. If you’re struggling to learn everything on your own, or you feel like you’re still missing a lot of the details, request a training session from the company.

Most software companies provide some kind of personalized training for businesses that choose their platform. It can be done online, but if they offer face-to-face instruction, consider hiring them to come in. Although it may cost more, face-to-face instruction has many benefits that include:

  • More focus from students
  • Better chances to practice
  • Individualized attention
  • Building personal relationships

Personalize It for Your Business

Software solutions today offer a mind-blowing number of ways to personalize their platforms for nearly any business. Unfortunately, figuring out exactly how to do that isn’t necessarily easy.

Make a list of all the ways you think you can personalize the platform for your particular business, then get to work making those changes. If you’re having a hard time figuring out exactly what to personalize, or how, reach out to the software company. Most have customer service departments that would be happy to answer your questions and help get the personalized aspects of your platform set up.

Train Your Team

Once you and the other leaders in your company feel confident in your ability to use and manage the new software, it’s time to train the rest of your team how to use it.

It’s a big job to teach multiple employees the ins and outs of a new platform. Go into the process knowing it will take time, and there will be a steep learning curve.

No matter how you choose to train your team, make sure you provide them with plenty of time to play around with the new software in a safe, supportive environment. That way, they can take risks and try the new software without worrying about what might happen if they do something wrong.

Have a Learning Mindset

Many companies gear themselves up to learn new software by carving days and weeks out of their schedule to make sure they get everything just right. Then, it goes back to being business as usual.

Although existing software is easier to use than a brand-new platform, you should adopt new software knowing that it’s a learning process that will never end. With software updates and patches, as well as new features that are being rolled out all the time, it’s important that you continue to take the time to learn and understand everything new that your platform has to offer.

Don’t avoid giving a new software program a try because the task of learning it seems too monumental! With incremental steps and a mindset on learning for the long-term, you can get the most out of your new software so it can perform as promised for your business.

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