There is a landscape software war going on—and, for the most part, it’s a good thing.

As the number of landscape software programs continues to increase, contractors are faced with more options than ever before. While competition is a good thing, my heart goes out to the person trying to wade through the myriad of solutions available. Even for the sharpest person, selecting the right solution is a daunting challenge because of the complexities involved, not to mention the time commitment of research, making inquiries, attending demos, fact-checking, speaking with users, etc.

In my previous company, we held off as long as we could before investing in a software program other than QuickBooks and Microsoft Excel. It was around the $5 million mark when we made the investment. Looking back on this, we probably waited too long. At the same time, our Excel wizardry was well above average and we were hesitant to invest in a software solution until we were convinced we had found the right solution for us. Since we were adding more than $1 million of revenue annually, every year that ticked by created larger spreadsheets, which eventually become a bit unwieldy. At some point, business management software is essential. However, selecting the right solution is even more important.

In my consulting, I have seen plenty of examples of complete meltdowns wreaking havoc on the organization, and some lawsuits, unfortunately. Not all solutions are right for every company. The process of selecting a software package should be done slowly, methodically and carefully, with an enormous amount of due diligence. Once the right solution is found, the timing of implementation is key. Implementation always takes longer than anticipated, so give yourself plenty of time. Full implementation may take up to two years, depending on the software.

There is a landscape software war going on. Are you ready for battle?

Now go forth.