Professional services automation is what differentiates the “good” service-company from the “OK.” Using professional services automation (PSA) software, your company can make your interaction with the clients much smoother for both parties.
What is Professional Services Automation?
As a professional, you can’t really automate your consultation session with a client. With the right software, you can, however, automate your inner workings as an organization, making it much easier to communicate with your team or clientele. Professional Services Automation software (PSA software) helps you and your team to stay on track when managing complex workflows.
If you’re a service-based company, chances are, the work you do has a lot of repeatable processes. Client onboarding, for example, is something you do on a regular basis. It’s also something very critical for your business – if you mess this up, you might end up losing a client.
You can use PSA software to streamline the onboarding process, keeping track of each and every step, making sure that the process is on the right track. The software can also store any relevant files – such as billing files, reports, documents, etc.
And to put the icing on the cake, your clients will thank you for using PSA software, as it allows them to keep track of the project online. Rather than having to exchange status-update emails weekly, they can just check which step you’re on and whether their involvement is necessary, online.
Use Cases You Can’t Afford to Overlook
At Tallyfy, we turn to our clients for their stories about professional services automation – and they’ve given us overwhelmingly positive feedback. We take a closer look at professionals who have discovered the benefits of service automation using our cloud-based software.
A Digital Strategy Consulting Firm and Service Process Automation
Designing highly efficient, repeatable processes that work for a business and its clients is only the beginning of service improvement. Once you have a process, you need to ensure that your staff is following it correctly and that it works as well as you expected it to.
After looking at all the available options, Digital Prism Advisors chose Tallyfy to help the company achieve an even higher-quality service than it already offered. COO Len Gilbert says that the firm now uses Tallyfy to automate the service process as well as HR processes such as onboarding and business development initiatives.
He likes the fact that Tallyfy offers the functionality to help his firm achieve what it set out to do, and he says that its ease of use is among the reasons why Digital Prism Advisors chose it. Gilbert is very pleased with the results achieved and says he would recommend using Tallyfy in almost any business and to manage almost any process.
And Online Legal Enterprise Abandons CRM, Achieves Faster, More Efficient Service
As an online business, Effective Immigration Consulting was already riding the tech wave before it adopted Tallyfy. Although it had been using Customer Relations Management (CRM) software, it didn’t integrate well with other collaborative tools. The result, says business manager Maria Alfaro, was processes that were “all over the place.”
After examining dozens of alternatives, the business was preparing itself for the costly and time-consuming business of developing its own process automation software – but then Alfaro discovered Tallyfy.
The results were all that he had hoped for and more. The company has cut immigration process times from several weeks to less than one week. Alfaro attributes this to the organized way in which his company is able to do business using Tallyfy. He especially likes the conditional logic that allows him to easily set up processes that may follow differing workflows depending on certain variables.
What these Success Stories Have in Common
While each of our clients operates in a completely different industry, their use-case for Tallyfy is the same: automating & streamlining business processes.
They chose our service process automation system because:
- They wanted to improve service levels
- It offered the functionality they needed
- It was the most user-friendly of the platforms they evaluated
- It allowed for process variation thanks to conditional logic
- They wanted more than just a “collaborative tool.” They wanted results.
- It was a cost-effective option
We also see common ground in that the results they achieved:
- Met or exceeded their goals for service improvement
- Allowed them to repeat effective processes in a uniform way to maintain these results
- Led to far greater efficiency, productivity, and profit
Management by Design
Tallyfy allows businesses to design, evaluate, and repeat processes that work. There are no dropped balls, no “Did you get my email? When was that deadline again?” follow-ups. Everything is organized, and all the relevant supporting information is right there on a single dashboard.
Yes, professional services automation will not replace you or your people, but it will help your professional service business to deliver the best, most efficient service possible time after time. It’s good for your customers, it’s good for your competitive edge, and it’s good for your business’ profitability.
But why take our word for it? Take our clients’ case-studies into consideration too – and if you’re ready to try it, get started with Tallyfy right now.
Want to learn more about the software before trying it? Read up on how different workflow management systems stand apart, or start from the basics and learn what, exactly, is a workflow application.
Related Questions
What does a professional services automation tool do?
Professional services automation (PSA) software is designed to help service works businesses run more efficiently by merging all their work in one place. It’s also a little like having a virtual assistant that does everything from time tracking on projects to sending invoices to clients. It’s the nerve center for the teams to view all their tasks, post updates, and stay on top of all the items needing to be juggled.
What is the difference between PSA and ERP?
Both systems assist in managing business operations, but PSA is specifically designed for service-oriented businesses that emphasize project delivery and billable work. ERP systems are a bit like Swiss Army knives – they do everything: manufacturing, inventory. About PSA Think of PSA as a point solution for architects, consultants, and lawyers, while ERP is generally for companies that make or sell physical products.
What are the advantages of professional services automation software?
But what is that meaning, if any — and how do rational people align text beneath an image? It captures billable hours which might otherwise be overlooked, accelerates invoice generation, and reveals the precise profitability of each project. Teams can see what everyone else is working on, identify problems early, and make smarter choices about which projects to tackle.
Who uses PSA tools?
For those businesses that sell expertise rather than products, a PSA tool is particularly well-suited. That’s IT consultants, marketing agencies, law firms, accounting practices, engineering firms etc. Even smaller professional service businesses with a couple of employees can use PSA to stay organized and look professional.
How does PSA software improve project delivery?
“The idea is, it’s like a GPS for projects, to show the best way to get to your destination and to give you warnings if there’s going to be a problem,” he said. It helps teams keep projects moving, share knowledge, stay on deadline and make clients happy by ensuring everyone knows what they should be doing and when.
Can PSA software integrate with other business tools?
Contemporary PSA systems work and play well with other software you’re already using. They may tie into your accounting software, email, calendar and document storage. All of this means information is passed between systems automatically, so your workflow becomes more efficient with less chance of making errors by entering data yourself.
How does PSA help with resource management?
PSA software tells you who is available, who is overbooked, and who has the right skills for each project. It’s as if you have a smart scheduling assistant that not only helps ensure that your team’s time is well used, but also that you don’t have anyone who gets burnt out.
What should companies look for in a PSA solution?
The top PSA software is simple to use, complements your work style, and expands as your business grows. Seek out things like time tracking, project management, billing and reporting that fit the way your team is working. It ought to simplify your life, rather than make it more complex.
How does PSA impact client satisfaction?
Clients of teams that use PSA software receive a better return on their investment — not because they get more things, but because nothing falls through the cracks. Projects keep moving forward, billing is transparent and clients can get status updates without needing to track someone down. It’s as if you have a well-oiled machine working for you behind the scenes.
What’s the return on investment for PSA software?
Companies typically recoup those upfront costs through better time capture, faster billing and more efficient project delivery. The real benefit, however, is discovering extra billable hours that were previously overlooked and becoming more efficient with projects. Many firms tell us they paid for their PSA investment within a short few months with better operations.
How long does it take to implement PSA software?
Implementing PSA software generally takes a few weeks to a few months, depending on the size and use case of your company. The key is to begin with the basics and to pump in more features as your team starts to feel comfortable. Think about it as moving into a new house — you don’t need to unpack every single thing on day one.
How does PSA help with business growth?
For business leaders, PSA offers a clear view of what’s working (and what isn’t). One is what it reveals about which of its projects are most profitable, which of its clients need tending to, and generally, where the firm has room to build. This can give companies an edge in making smart choices about hiring, pricing and which opportunities to chase.
