Childcare management software provides a multitude of benefits and returns your investment quickly. You have probably spoken with your peers about their experiences and seen numerous articles about childcare software selection and implementation. But you are still hesitant to invest in a solution for your daycare, preschool, or after school program.
Why is that? Let’s take a look at some of the most common objections to purchasing or replacing your childcare management solution and demystify the process. Then we will show you how to find the best software for your needs.
Common objections to making changes or implementing software solutions
First, know that you are not alone in feeling uncomfortable about the process of buying software. Most people feel overwhelmed by the volume of selections available. Also, many believe they do not understand enough about technology to make the right choice.
Here are a few of the most common reasons for delaying the implementation of a solution or switching to a new one.
Tradition
Tradition is an odd word choice, but it's simply the short form of, "We've always done it this way."
However, consider how the world has changed in just a few years. New discoveries about learning and education are found every year. Energy-efficient buildings, appliances, and equipment have become mainstream. Everyone has seen some level of change in how they live.
As a businessperson, you know you cannot stand still because your competitors won’t. Every industry and field of endeavor continues to make advancements and those that don’t keep up get left behind.
After all, would you rather write every document in long-hand or type it on a typewriter? Or better yet, a computer? Now is the time to take full advantage of the technology available to you today. You may find it more straightforward than you think.
Lack of technical proficiency
What do you say to a child who tells you, “I can’t.”? You say, “You can learn if you want to.”
One of the best advances in technology is simplification. If you can use a smartphone or a home computer, there is no need to fear using a childcare management application. In fact, some of the best solutions can be accessed on your mobile or another remote device.
Software developers have spent several years studying how people use computers and digital devices. User experience has become one of the hot topics of the industry.
- User interfaces, the screens you work with, have been simplified and made more intuitive than in the past.
- Navigation around and between screens and applications has become easier.
- The verbiage used on the screen and accepted by the system is aligned with industry standards.
- Technical support is available through a variety of methods from online knowledge bases to phone or chat.
If your only experience has been with slow applications and complex forms, it's time for an update.
Parental objections
The only objection you are likely to get from today’s parents is to using manual forms. According to a study by the Consumer Technology Association, 87% of households in the United States have one or more smartphones. That is a higher percentage than laptops and beat only by television sets.
- Many parents expect to be able to fill out forms online.
- The availability of online billing and payment has become another expectation.
- Parents want to be able to see what their children are doing at school but don’t want to wait for photographs or handwritten notes.
- Speed is of the essence for parents on the go. Slow software and manual processes don’t cut it with them.
The availability of these features could be the differentiation between using your childcare service or someone else’s.
Expense
Of course, you need to pay attention to your spending, but be sure you are looking at it the right way. Instead of considering the price tag of a new or replacement system, calculate how much updated processes will save on costs.
- How much time would be saved by automating attendance?
- Would online bill pay reduce late payments?
- How long does it take you to track and add late pickup fees?
These are just three areas where childcare management software improves your daily operations and revenue.
As with every commodity, the price of software and hardware have fallen precipitously from the early days. Due to competition, vendors are offering childcare management software at attractive price points for any size business.
Security and data loss
Do you fear a data breach by hackers or loss of data due to some electronic snafu? In reality, your information is safer with a cloud-based software vendor than in a laptop or file cabinet in your office. Cloud-based software providers understand that they are only as good as their uptime and data security, so they go the extra mile to guarantee both.
Cloud-based vendors store your information in secure data centers placed in areas where it can be retrieved and reloaded in the event of a disaster. They continually update security protocols to combat interference from third parties. Most have duplicate back-ups to reduce the chance of data loss.
Selecting the right software
Take a carefully planned approach to selecting software to ensure you get the right solution for your needs.
- Determine your goals before you start searching the internet. What business problems do you need the software to solve?
- Set your budget. Know how much you can spend and stand firm.
- How easy is the software to use? Take advantage of demos and free short-term subscriptions to see how intuitive each solution is.
- What level of customer support is offered? Do you prefer phone, online, or chat support? Is support available during your hours of operation? How much support is available as part of the subscription? Is training included?
- How is the software deployed? You can purchase software that is loaded on your laptop or desktop, or you can lease software on a monthly basis that you access via a web browser (also known as cloud-based software). Cloud solutions have the benefit of anywhere anytime access and automatic updates.
Every business has different needs. You know what yours are. Make a list of your business problems and processes that could be automated so that you can be a savvy shopper.
Selecting software is not a difficult or scary proposition if you are prepared and have the right mindset. Don't be afraid to ask questions; a good vendor will be able to provide answers that make sense to you.
