A small business makes the most of its information by converting data into information. No matter how it’s acquired, once data is recorded in a database, it can be used for decision making and goal setting. While the generation of data is fairly straightforward, the development of a database to facilitate its use can be more complex. All too often, especially for new businesses, the gathering of data is more of an afterthought than anything else.
In this article, we shall be looking into some of these softwares that will make you more productive.
Improvado
Improvado plays a vital role in aggregating data for small and large corporations. Contemporarily, the tool is available with hundreds (200+) integrations, such as BigQuery, Google Ads, Tableau, Excel, and more. It also has a robust reporting mechanism and an intuitive dashboard. In fact, Improvado’s data visualization and import compatibility can bring all your marketing efforts into a single place.
Apart from its timesaving structural design, this tool cuts down the added cost of hiring developers. You don’t necessarily have to be an SQL expert to understand the rudimentary functionality of Improvado. Furthermore, this DBMS allows users to get instant APIs connection and access automated data pipelines.
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Pros
- Flexibility to duplicate and migrate data instantaneously
- Side-by-side metrics comparison to make quick business decisions
- Integration of data amidst live connection on a dedicated database server
- Continuous support from informative and mature engineering staff
- Well thought-out and clear database documentation
- Access to regular updates and statuses on multiple projects
- Clean navigational control
- Accurate and insightful analytical data
- Allowance of backup and recovery option to users
Cons
- The data often reverses the newest entries amidst analytical comparison.
Cost Structure
If you want to get the most out of Improvado’s DBMS perks, the Business package at $100 / month is perfect for you. However, small businesses with a limited budget can get a custom price with Enterprise edition. If you are, on the other hand, just starting out as an independent entrepreneur, feel free to schedule a demo version to get the hang of the software.
ProofHub
ProofHub is a powerful business management software and platform that combines all the features you might need to take care of your business. You can streamline your processes, store and share files, share feedback under one roof with ProofHub. Its mobile app can be used by both Android and iOS users on the go.
Top features:
- Effective project and task management
- Gantt charts to keep your projects on track
- Dynamic reports to get clear insights
- Time tracking to track time spent on tasks
Start managing your teams and projects efficiently with ProofHub!
Flodesk
Flodesk is a fast-growing email marketing service for small businesses. Their focus is on design, enabling small business owners to create beautiful emails and showcase their brand. Flodesk offers workflows that allow users to automate lead magnet delivery, welcome sequences, and more with an easy-to-use visual builder.
Key features:
- Fixed price of $38 per month, regardless of list size
- Unlimited subscribers & unlimited email sends
- Drag-and-drop email builder with layout blocks
- Create email signup forms, even without a website
- Create automated email sequences
StudioCloud
StudioCloud has made a name for itself as a reliable business management platform and company management system in much less time. It is a one-stop solution for your business needs that contains all the features you need to manage your business anytime, anywhere. Go check this business tool to organize and simplify your life.
Top features:
- Manage clients, partners, and vendors at one place
- Create and send professional invoices
- Send automated, personalized, text and email reminders
- Have clients review and sign contracts online
- Easily customize the look and feel of your software
Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft’s SQL Server is one of the most effective DBMS in existence. The free tag of the tool certainly attracts a large user base. Its custom-built graphical integration of best database designs has saved users’ valuable time for years. Similarly, the diagrams that you can make with the help of this tool can be easily added to a new or existing project library.
Object Explorer feature helps end-users to view the creation of the tables. Template Explorer, on the other hand, is a bundle of script objects that can be used to identify numerous names in the database system. In addition, the SQL Server creates specific containers that allow users to combine views and scripts of a linked object or group.
Pros
- Easy to set up a new database server from scratch
- Creates various designs, tables, and view data without syntax
- Can handle complicated queries and integrate with other programs
- Creates advanced queries through Developer Network feature
Cons
- The lightweight package lacks user-friendliness in its user-interface.
- The execution of long queries often takes longer than the calculated time.
- Data maintenance becomes an issue with a selective schema.
- Desperately needs a new firewall protection system.
Cost Structure
The Express and Developer versions are free and ideal for personal use. 2016, however, is the most popular version priced at $931 for a Standard License. The 2017 and 2019 versions have the same price tag.
Timely
Knowing how your business spends time is elementary, whether you bill for it or not. Timely streamlines the whole time tracking process by recording everything your team works on automatically. It dramatically reduces time management overhead, while improving reporting and invoicing accuracy.
Top features:
- Automatic time tracking
- Real-time project dashboards
- Sophisticated, client-friendly reporting
- Hourly rates, capacity and overtime
Zoho One
Zoho One is a wholesome business management software and company management system that has everything you need to run your business on the operating system for your business with impressive 40 business apps. You just need to connect multiple apps so that different teams can work together productively.
Top features:
- Manage almost every aspect of your business in one system
- Fosters collaboration with online document storage and sharing
- Automate personalized business workflows
Read on: Zoho Alternatives – 13 Tools Your Team Will Love
Scoro
Scoro is an all-in-one business management software designed to bring your teams, projects, sales, and reports together at a centralized place. With Scoro you can manage work more efficiently and be organized in every aspect of your business.
Top features:
- Plan and track work with unlimited projects
- Manage quotes, contacts, and invoices seamlessly
- Track time and bill for completed work accurately
- Manage your entire business within a single solution
iBE.net
As a business management software/ company management system, iBE.net is an appropriate choice for mid-sized companies as it offers expense tracking, invoice reports, CRM support along with an easy integration of project details. It is extensively used in consulting, marketing, management, and other technical industries. It is like your entire business within your palm of hands.
Top features:
- Customize your own dashboards
- Use pre-delivered reports
- Generate invoices in seconds
- Visualize, analyze, and organize your data with valuable insights
Odoo
Odoo is an all-in-one business management software that offers a range of business applications which forms a complete suite of enterprise management applications. It covers CRM, eCommerce, accounting, inventory, sales, and project management. Odoo apps are perfectly integrated with each other, allowing you to fully automate your business processes.
Top features:
- Unique framework with strong technical foundations
- Take a quick look at your business with dashboards
- Real-time communication makes way for better collaboration
Postgre SQL
The open-source DBMS solution gets attention because of the invigorating indexing and configuration options. Postgre SQL is ideal if your daily business activities require you to import or export data.
As of now, Postgre SQL supports Python and JSON programming languages. Although it is a relational database solution, users are free to create NoSQL databases. Besides, the open-source community has created a wide array of plug-ins to boost the functionality of the software.
Pros
- Storage and management of data in higher volumes
- Relatively secured data processing than others
- Straightforward installation process on Linux and Windows operating system (OS)
- Availability of resourceful material such as tutorials to learn the tool
- Ideal for companies that frequently deal in large volumes of data
Cons
- Native interface limits the manipulation of data.
- The advanced nature of the tool slows down the insertion of small databases.
- The installation and configuration of the software can be time-consuming.
Cost Structure
PostgreSQL is available free of cost. The distribution license of the tool allows users to resell binaries, thanks to open source.
My SQL
My SQL is a high-speed data processing and data productivity tool with comprehensive features. The tool is designed to increase the security and scalability of your databases. A reliably cost-effective tool offers technical support and counteracts potential risks. Furthermore, high-volume business sites can deploy business-oriented complex MySQL applications.
Pros
- The newest 8.0 version has better data recovery options
- Easy to learn the foundational features without a programming background
- The open-source nature grant users complete freedom to customize data
- Well-suited for small businesses and entrepreneurs because of the low-cost structure
- Compatible with up-to-date industry’s DBMS practices
- Instant integration with Apache web engines
- The data development process is adjustable for small and heavy applications.
Cons
- Queries get stuck even after a refresh or restart
- There is overdependence on third-party add-ons
- Data operations in Linux OS can get complicated.
Cost Structure
MySQL Standard, Enterprise, and Cluster Carrier Grade editions are set at $2,000, $5,000, and $10,000 respectively.
Amazon RDS
Amazon RDS (Relational Database Service) is one of the best DBMS tools. It has a dedicated secured connection, and it automatically backs up your data through an inbuilt feature. Furthermore, it can resize your entire database activities.
Pros
- Users can process the heavy workloads in a single database.
- You have to pay for the used resources.
- It can get you access to MySQL, Oracle, or Microsoft SQL databases.
- Point-in-recovery attracts programmers who want flexibility and scalable storage options.
Cons
- It has limited auto-scale options.
- Unavailability of access to physical server to check server logs.
Cost Structure
Users are free to try out Amazon RDS. In fact, there’s no minimum criterion to use the tool. You can pay for the availed resources via On-Demand method. It may sound complicated, but you can instantly calculate your monthly bill with the AWS Simple Monthly Calculator.
Oracle RDBMS
The latest version of the Oracle RDBMS tool encompasses larger databases, takes less space, is more secure, and quickly processes data. It is, in fact, one of the most effective object-relational DBMS tools.
You can run Oracle RDBMS on a PC or a high-powered supercomputer. The active designs, for instance, trigger a dedicated referential system within the software
Pros
- You can create partitions to have better administrative control over your data
- Smooth transactional process and data security
Cons
- The price range of the tool is discouraging for small businesses
- Client applications are often plugged-in automatically
Cost Structure
The cost of this tool can vary based on the type of business you have and your existing software solutions, so you will have to contact Oracle’s customer support to get information on pricing.
Razor SQL
RazorSQL is one of the most popularized database management and query tools. It allows users to check schemas, tables, unidentified keys, structure indexes, and columns. You can create, update, or delete entire SQL statements as per your business needs. The software has flexible import options to incorporate excel spreadsheets, extended files, and fixed-width data files.
As of now, RazorSQL supports more than twenty (20) programming languages. Concurrently, it can compare the results of table data and queries through multiple databases. In addition, the software doesn’t require added manual configuration, making it easier to check a multitude of databases.
Pros
- Automated selection and copy mechanism for different types of data types
- Users can create custom templates or use built-in templates for projects.
Cons
- Installation and configuration are time-consuming
- Only programmers can use the command line to make advanced comparisons.
Cost Structure
The current annual price of the DBMS tool is $99.95.
Conclusion
You need to have data more or less at your beck and call, which is why you are thinking of buying database software for small business . It’s important however that you get the right kind of database system for your needs. That might sound easy enough, but the fact is that it’s not an easy decision at all. You want to get more than just your money’s worth after all. And this certainly seems like a considerable amount of money, no matter how you look at it.