Tech Stack for Founders: Tools for the First Steps in the New Business

Project management solutions aid users in managing team goals and long-term projects, as well as coordinating individual tasks. In a nutshell: they assist project managers in planning and executing their projects. Among other things, this can enhance personal and team productivity, tasks can be clearly divided and individually allocated, and progress can be tracked. Furthermore, schedules can be created and viewed at any time. Thanks to integrated chat functions, teams remain in constant contact. Especially in larger projects, project management solutions can contribute to ideally coordinating tasks. They can be used in every industry in principle. Some solutions are more focused on planning (calendars, to-do lists, milestones, etc.), while others are more focused on collaboration (forums, chats, whiteboards, etc.). However, there are also hybrid solutions available. The key here is which solution best suits one's own or the company's needs. In many cases, it may also make sense to combine multiple solutions. Good to know: Project management solutions are closely related to task management solutions, but they differ in size and scope. While the former ensure that users can manage teams of individuals, plan resources sensibly, and measure effectiveness, the latter merely show individual efforts and deadlines and ensure that projects can be managed autonomously.

Collaboration tools, referred to in German as Kollaborationstools, encompass all software designed to make collaboration in companies more effective. Entire organizations and individual teams use these software to, for example, communicate internally, share information and digital content, keep each other updated on project progress, invite colleagues to meetings, and share knowledge. The features of individual collaboration software can differ significantly. However, what unites these tools is that they offer teams ways to communicate and collaborate. Moreover, most tools are highly user-friendly and can usually be implemented quickly. Companies that rely on collaboration software reap various benefits. In addition to enabling collaboration independent of time and place, collaboration tools ideally increase the productivity of teams and entire organizations, as they enable comprehensive communication and collaboration within these groups. This software includes instant messaging services, cloud storage services, Social Intranet Software, Project Management Tools, Video Conferencing Software, Digital Asset Management Tools (DAM), IT Service Management Software (ITSM) and comprehensive collaboration platforms.

Instant messaging services for businesses, also known as instant messaging services or business messenger platforms, are used in organizations and enable easy and fast communication using text-based instant messages. In addition to sending messages between individuals, employees can communicate in predefined groups or teams using instant messaging software. Some instant messengers also offer other forms of communication such as voice chats, video chats or the recording of video and voice messages. Instant messengers respond to the fast pace of today's communication and the requirements for remote work. They make many emails unnecessary, as simple questions or concerns can be clarified uncomplicatedly via instant message. Furthermore, business messaging services have the advantage that no personal or business phone number is needed to quickly contact colleagues. The business messenger apps of the providers can also be easily used on Android phones or iPhones. Other features of instant messenger tools include the sending of media such as photos and videos. They also offer many practical add-ons such as tagging or linking people, notifications and reminders and the ability to set a status. Additionally, they often offer integrations and interfaces with project management tools, task management software, cloud storage, CRM systems, HR software and more. Instant messenger providers are often part of a social intranet solution or are used as a supplement to it. The biggest difference to video conferencing software is that the focus of instant messaging services is on continuous and immediate communication with text messages and usually only offer video calls with individuals. Video conference tools on the other hand are designed for video calls with more than two participants at a fixed date and additionally offer a chat function.

Billing and invoice programs are used in companies to create invoices and send them to customers, prompting them to pay for the products or services delivered. With these software solutions, companies can save time and reduce the workload for invoice management, as well as increase the accuracy of their billing processes.  Usually, accounting departments employ invoice software. However, sales employees or project managers can also use the tools to create quotations or pro-forma invoices for their customers. Billing software helps companies manage billing for various types of services and products. For example, there are invoice tools for service providers for project billing or for utility companies for recurring billing. An invoice program can be integrated into accounting software and ERP systems or CRM software, where all customer information as well as the products and services they have purchased are stored. The last phase of the billing process, the receipt of payment, is typically handled in an accounting software or a module of a more extensive software, such as an ERP. To qualify as an invoice program, the solution must: * be capable of creating multiple types of invoices * consolidate multiple invoices into a single one or split an invoice * contain invoice and document templates * offer functions for sending invoices in different file formats, such as PDF and Microsoft Word, via different communication channels, such as email and fax * have reports and analyses about the status of each individual invoice * send notifications about incoming payments * offer integration possibilities with software solutions such as ERP software, CRM systems, or accounting programs

No later than during the Corona months, almost every professional is familiar with various products in the field of video conferencing software. Video conferencing solutions enable efficient, flexible collaboration - without having to be in the same place at the same time. Technically, a webcam and a headset are enough. This allows to replace travel- and cost-intensive meetings - especially in an international environment. But also nationally, valuable working time can be (re-)gained. Integrated features such as chat, screen sharing, recording of the meeting, or simply experiencing facial expressions and gestures, ensure that all participants can actively participate in the conversation and, despite geographical distance, feel like they are sitting at the same conference table. Good to know: Some video conferencing solutions offer integration with Marketing Automation and CRM software to supplement video conferences with relevant business data in advance and thus optimize subsequent communication. In case of extraordinary circumstances, such as in times of crisis, video conferencing solutions can ensure that business operations can be maintained and the team continues to function as a team. Differences here are mainly in the price, data protection, additional functions that are made available to users, and the maximum number of users who can participate in a conference. In addition, of course, the general "User Experience" that users have with the tools, see also our various reviews.

Accounting software, also known as bookkeeping software, facilitates the day-to-day business of accounting department employees by digitally mapping all important tasks and processes of accounting or bookkeeping, or parts of it. Thus, it also contributes to the digitalization of businesses. The software is used in all areas of accounting, such as financial accounting, accounts receivable accounting, and payroll accounting, and enables small, medium and large businesses to implement efficient accounting processes and improve internal collaboration. Important features of accounting software include digital document capture, online banking connectivity and payment services providers, integrated CRM or an interface to a customer relationship management system, inventory management and order overview, and project management. Invoice creation is also part of accounting. While some accounting software have this integrated, there are also specialized invoice programs. Accounting can also be a module of an ERP system or be integrated into one. Since accounting can be very cumbersome and complex, accounting programs help companies to always have all finances in view, which allows serious errors like incorrect bookings to be identified and corrected more quickly. As a result, problems with financial authorities can often be avoided before they arise. Among the greatest advantages of the software are possible cost and time savings.

ERP systems (full name Enterprise Resource Planning Systems), as the name suggests, were originally developed to manage, plan and control all operational resources of enterprise companies in a central system, from capital and personnel to inventory management. Nowadays, ERP solutions are no longer solely reserved for large companies and so, among the listed software, you can also find ERP systems for medium-sized or small companies. You can also find industry-specific ERP systems here, as well as ERP software that specializes only in one or more, but not all, business areas. These include ERP systems for inventory management, purchasing and logistics, ERP systems for finances, accounting and budgeting, ERP software for personnel planning, procurement, development, controlling and wage accounting, and ERP solutions for sales, including offer and invoice processing, and price management. ERP systems are usually used by manufacturing and trade companies. Even though the closed nature and smooth interaction of the individual functions is one of the main reasons to choose an ERP system, some ERP systems can also be integrated with other software solutions, such as CRM software.

A CRM system supports employees in large, medium-sized, and small businesses with Customer Relationship Management (CRM). For this, it records all relevant information about leads, customers and companies, and collects them in one place. The customer data collected in the CRM include master data, contact information, touchpoints, customer history, transaction data and further information. Furthermore, CRM solutions can store personal preferences of customers and leads. These are essential for the analysis of customer loyalty and for lead and existing customer care, and can be used by employees in sales and marketing. The functions a CRM system includes depends on the requirements of the company in which the software is to be used. CRM systems can be used for both B2C and B2B, there are cloud-based software or server-based on-premise tools as well as Best-of-Breed or complete solutions. However, not only the properties, but also the cost differs greatly among CRM systems. CRM software is often offered separately from other software solutions such as ERP systems, marketing automation software, email marketing software or account management software, but often offer interfaces and integrations to these applications to enable a cross-platform and improved customer experience. The CRM software reviews and experiences allow you to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of the respective software providers and find the suitable CRM system for your company. Do you want to become real CRM professionals? The OMR Professional Guide to CRM for B2C and B2B awaits you with 124 pages of concentrated expert knowledge.