Yes, we’ve all been using spreadsheets for years (some of us, for decades now…) for simple what-if scenarios, for profit/loss statements, for reconciling bank statements, even for complex risk-analyses.
While some industry pundits are extolling the virtues of a “spreadsheet-free” business environment (low-carbon imprint, BTW), the ubiquitous spreadsheet has nonetheless become the de facto standard for creating just about any “solution” when our own software applications seem to fall short of accommodating our immediate and insatiable need for analysis and insight. In short, spreadsheets have become our “spreadware”.
That’s why a recent post “The Spreadware Epidemic” from Intacct Premier Partner, JMT Consulting, immediately peaked our interest.
In using the recently coined term “spreadware”, JMT highlights the morphing of spreadsheets to become our go-to tool for creating one-off custom software solutions. JMT highlights the danger that lies within.
Think about it: how many times have we used spreadsheets in an attempt to compensate for our accounting/finance systems lack of functionality or integration?
Our president, Keith Karnes, also recently highlighted the same dilemma in his blog post, stating “creating workarounds (using spreadsheets to create spreadware) because your ERP application cannot do what you need is a prime reason to consider changing ERP and accounting/finance applications.”
With today’s apps, spreadware is old-school thinking in a modern day reality. With cloud-based financial and analysis applications and their open APIs, such as best-in-class applications like Adaptive Insights, there are infinitely better approaches than creating “spreadware.”
It takes new thinking and new approaches to eliminate using spreadsheets to create spreadware. And, BTerrell Group has been successfully doing this for our clients – for years. Connect with us today. You’ll be glad you did!
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