
Choosing the right apps for your business
Choosing the right apps for your business
Software technology has evolved massively in the past decade, with cloud-based apps now a fundamental part of how businesses manage both day-to-day operations and long-term growth.
Whether it’s payroll, inventory, job management, or quoting, most business functions now have an app that promises to make life easier.
But with so many options, how do you know which apps will actually bring value to your business? How do you avoid paying for features you don’t use or adding complexity to your workflow?
The Xero app store is a good place to start, so that your apps integrate with your accounting system.
Additionally, at First Class Accounts Ovens & Murray, we help businesses like yours find and implement the right systems. We’re not here to sell you the latest tech trend, we’re here to help you find what works for your business and industry, and then make sure it works properly.
What value can automation bring to your business?
Choosing the right apps for your business isn’t just about convenience. The real value lies in using automation to eliminate repetitive manual tasks, reduce mistakes, and give you real-time access to better data.
This isn’t about cutting corners, it’s about improving accuracy, freeing up your time, and building reliable systems that support how your business runs.
When the right apps are connected properly, information flows where it needs to go.
You’re not chasing receipts, entering the same data in multiple places, or scrambling for figures when you need them most. You’ve got access to accurate, timely information that helps you make better business decisions, without the stress.
Choosing the right apps
Before jumping into the Xero app store, take a step back. Understanding what your business needs right now, and where you’re heading, will help guide your decisions and make sure you’re investing in tools that support your goals.
Start by thinking about the main areas of your business.
If you’re in construction, for example, you might need job tracking, scheduling, quoting, and inventory management. If you run a retail store, POS integration, stock management, and customer loyalty tools could be your priorities. And if you’re offering professional services, you may need tools for project tracking, timesheets, client communication, and document storage.
Once you know where the gaps or inefficiencies are, it’s easier to assess what kind of technology will actually solve those problems.
Xero-connected apps make things easier
One of the best places to start is the Xero app store. All apps listed there connect directly with Xero using their open API. This means data from your chosen apps, like invoices, timesheets, or stock levels, can feed directly into Xero without needing to be manually entered or imported.
This kind of seamless integration not only reduces errors but also improves the quality of your reporting. Your numbers are more accurate, your cashflow forecasting is more realistic, and your compliance reporting is more straightforward.
Whether you’re adding one new app or building a full app stack, choosing tools that are designed to work with Xero will save you time and headaches later.
Find ways to reduce manual admin
A key sign that automation could help is if you’re still doing repetitive admin tasks by hand. That could be entering timesheets manually, reconciling paper receipts, or copying data between spreadsheets.
Apps like Dext Prepare (formerly Receipt Bank) let you photograph receipts or email them in, automatically reading and coding them into Xero. Payroll systems can automate payslips, superannuation, and leave entitlements. Job tracking apps can capture time, link it to client invoices, and sync with your accounting software.
Automating these kinds of tasks helps you focus on work that adds real value — whether that’s looking after your team, servicing customers, or planning your next step.
Do your research
Not all apps are created equal, and not every app will suit your business. Before committing, spend time reading independent reviews, talking to people in your industry, and checking whether the app has been around long enough to be stable and supported.
It’s also worth trying free trials or demo accounts so you can test how the app works in practice. If you can, involve your team in this part of the process too. They’ll be the ones using the tools daily, so their input matters.
Look for apps that are intuitive and easy to use. If the layout is clunky or the learning curve is too steep, your team may avoid using it, or use it incorrectly, which defeats the purpose.
Just as importantly, make sure there’s real support behind the app. Live chat, video walkthroughs, and a decent help centre make a huge difference when you need help fast.
We help you choose the right apps and make them work
At First Class Accounts Ovens & Murray, we do more than reconcile your books or lodge your BAS. We work with you to understand how your business operates and where the pain points are, then we help you choose and implement the apps that make those problems disappear.
We know which apps work well in your industry, and we only recommend tools that are tried and tested. We also make sure they’re set up properly, connected to your accounting software, and working the way they should be.
If you’re not sure where to start, or if your current systems aren’t cutting it anymore, let’s chat. We can help you streamline your operations, save time, reduce stress, and get better data to support your decision-making.
Ready to improve your systems?
Choosing the right apps for your business doesn’t need to be overwhelming. With the right advice and support, you can automate the parts of your business that are slowing you down and free yourself up to focus on what matters most.
Get in touch with First Class Accounts Ovens & Murray and let’s talk about how we can make your business more efficient, accurate, and scalable, with the right tools, connected the right way.