7 Features to Look For in an IT Service Management Software for Your Business
You have a great business model and the means to grow the said business. But more than a brilliant idea and the capital to execute it, what really sets a business apart in this day and age? I have two words for you: IT services.
You see, successful businesses in this digital era are powered by robust IT services. It is what helps entrepreneurs run their day-to-day operations like a well-oiled machine. From integrating your business solutions to making sure that your processes are executed properly, it pays to have an IT Services Management Software (ITSM) assist you.
Of course, as a modern-day entrepreneur, you probably already have your share of ITSM favorites. But to help you drive the nail in your decision, I have listed a few key features that you should look for when choosing an IT services solution for your business.
Find out if your current ITSM ticks off all the boxes below.
Reliability
Once you choose to subscribe and use an ITSM, you’re also entering into a partnership with its vendor. So, naturally, you want an ITSM vendor that is worth your investment in time and money.
How, then, will you know whether a vendor is reliable or not? It takes a little research and asking a few questions such as, “Is the tool vendor reliable? Would I be able to contact them at any time? Will they still be in business in the foreseeable future? Will they offer enough support for migrating data into their system?” Ergonotes is an excellent resource to check out.
Answering these questions will help you decide whether it is worth it to invest in a solution for the long haul.
If most answers point to yes, then you can proceed to the next key feature to look out for.
Cost-Effectiveness
Of course, money plays a huge role in managing your business–solutions and external partners included. So, another key feature that you should consider is the ITSM’s cost-effectiveness. Not only should your solution be reliable, but it should also be efficient when it comes to cost.
So what should a cost-effective tool have? The following should be included in your package:
- The license of use
- Customization options
- Proper implementation
- Training and resources
- Good customer support
Robust Implementation Support
Of course, setup and implementation are important in every IT services tool. You want an ITSM solution that can support your processes and can work within the framework of your business.
One important implementation support that you should look for is thorough integration within your software solutions. A good ISTM should bring fluidity and a workable process between all your other solutions.
Not to mention, it should help you resolve tickets and issues within your business, and fulfill its role as a change management software.
Flexibility
Another key feature of a good ITSM is its flexibility. This means that, right at the get-go, you can easily impose your preferences regarding the use and design of your dashboard and reports. If you find yourself wishing for the need for expensive programmers to help you configure your settings, then you might not be looking at the best ITSM for your business.
Customization is key in a successful ITSM. You should be able to impose your preferences so you can get the best value for your money by choosing tools that you can actually use.
Tip: To get the most out of your configuration, you should be crystal clear on your ITSM requirements. Learn to identify what your “must-haves” are instead of imposing your “nice to have” features.
Scalability
As you explore other avenues of income and grow your business into a bigger enterprise, you want an IT tool that can also grow with you. This is why it also pays to consider whether your ITSM of choice still has room to grow.
Scalability is also linked to customizability This means that you should be able to choose the features to carry within your ITSM environment.
Mobile Accessibility
Of course, with your smartphone doubling as a work tool these days, it’s also important to make sure that your ITSM has an app that you can work with–or at least has a dashboard that is responsive on mobile.
With a mobile access, you can easily pick up on your tasks on the go, respond to tickets and queries, and even submit tickets of your own.
Usability
Lastly, your ITSM should be easy to use. After all, what’s the point of implementing one if it cannot be easily and fully utilized by your staff, right?
What does it mean for an ITSM tool to be usable? Here is a list to get you started in looking for a usable ITSM tool:
- It should have a clean and easy to follow environment.
The design and environment should be user-friendly. All of your most important commands should be visible on the dashboard.
- It should not have a steep learning curve.
Your staff should be able to understand it right away, or at least only require minimal training for it.
- It should have tools that assist in day-to-day operations.
The whole point of using an ITSM is to automate or at least help with your daily operations. If it does neither, then it’s time to find another solution.
So there you have it–the 7 features that you should look for in an ideal ITSM. By choosing a solution that ticks all of these requirements, you should be able to proceed confidently in handling the IT aspect of your business. So make sure that you find a tool from a reliable vendor that can assist you with various implementations, is easily configurable, and easy to use. On top of these, your ITSM choice should also be cost-effective and allow you to work even when you’re out on the field thanks to its mobile accessibility. Think that there should be more items listed under this particular topic? Share your recommendations by letting me know what other features a good ITSM should have.
