Web Apps vs Excel: Which to Use When?

In the course of your company's existence, you may be contemplating the benefits of creating a web-based app out of an Excel. While it's a major business decision to make, business owners should think about the best way to maximize effectiveness for their business. At this moment, where do you draw the line for transferring to a customized web application out of the Excel spreadsheet?

What exactly is a web-based application, and what do they offer?

Web-based applications work in cloud-based platforms, meaning that a data centre on computers houses the data, instead of individual machines. Most likely, you've already used Gmail and Outlook for your mail client. This is an example of a web-based application. Certain SaaS systems come with two-step authentication, secure passwords, and the capability to produce interactive reports.

In terms of scalability, an organization can gain enormously from having a website application developed. The user-friendliness and flexibility also extend to other users outside the company. The possibility of conflicting versions is greatly diminished, making sure that data is up-to-date and accurate and helps to minimize errors made by humans (e.g cutting and pasting and manual data input). Many processes can operate simultaneously when hosted on servers due to the fact that the software employed isn't restricted to just one local computer which may be outdated.

Accessibility to more people worldwide is also a source of vulnerability. However, the implementation of an AAA strategy for the security of software isn't too difficult and will protect against potential security threats.

What do Excel spreadsheets do?

It could make more financial sense to utilize Excel in things like accounting functions, as well as monitoring and tracking customer information. Many new businesses start with Excel and have this level of familiarity set as the default for input data. If you're only managing two or three people who are responsible for their data inputs, you might discover this to be a very efficient procedure that works.

As businesses expand, depending on the number of employees required to gather data and input information, Automating data exchanges or scaling for a large number of users sharing the same account can be unhelpful if they spend too long within Excel. 

Be ready to convert excel spreadsheets to web applications free at any time this can affect the efficiency of your business. In extreme situations, it could cause shock waves to the wider community.

As we've said before, evaluate your business's needs and decide what makes the most practical sense when it comes to how daily processes function. With these elements presented on the table, you can ask which software will provide the highest quality output for your company.

Should I use a website application or an Excel spreadsheet?

The development of a web-based application comes with responsibility, support, and management. The frameworks on which the web application is built focus on curating an item that is your intellectual property later on.

If you are testing a new procedure using a minimal amount of investment, Excel may work well to a certain extent. If you've created an intricate spreadsheet that is collaborative and takes inputs to plan and visualize inventory, for example, you're exposed to an array of risks for business. The password protection and read-only features in these sheets hinder collaboration and expandability by utilizing permissions, which often require the need for 'edit' access from several users. Therefore, expanding the capacity of an Excel spreadsheet without knowing it poses serious security issues, such as security breaches and manipulation of data.

However, when you build an online application it provides accessibility to a wider range of users while benefiting from a variety of security features, and without the stress of keeping up-to-date information.

Think about the factors that affect the scalability of your software, and how widely accessible you would like to make your application. What is the problem you're trying to address and how many users? How can this strategy generate more leads? What will the way bugs and future updates be dealt with? Are you able to use the web application as a license to earn more money?

If you're aware that your outdated system isn't an individual-user-fits-all-situation. Trunao can help you in the transition to a Web system in order to assist you to achieve your goals in business.