4 tools of assignment compared (Excel, ERP, internal tool, dedicated tool): which one to choose for your company?

Which resource management tool should you choose to start managing project resources like a pro? The key criteria to consider are a user-friendly interface, collaborative features and consistency with your business. Let's have a look at 4 commonly used resource management tools.  

Excel: looks easy at first, but…

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Excel is part of the Microsoft Office package, bundled with the office tools such as Word, PowerPoint and Outlook. It is a spreadsheet application in which you can create pivot tables, set up calculation formulas, display charts and build databases.  

Benefits

• Extremely flexible tool when mastered
• Unlimited database
• Data can be structured & cross-referenced in dynamic tables

Disadvantages

• Lack of information transparency
• Risk of human error and no change history
• No data security (safeguarding & privacy)
• Non collaborative

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Excel is a great initial resource management tool for any company starting out. But as soon as you reach 30 employees, it quickly becomes a time-consuming tool.  

ERP: a powerful tool for resource management?  

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ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning. It is a software solution that manages all the data within a company. It includes the whole value chain, as well as inventory and transport.  

Benefits

• Structured and unlimited database
• Fast and easy data updates
• All company data is included, from design to production, transport and sales‍

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Disadvantages

• No detailed employee profiles
• Software often outdated, with few updates and little personalised customer service
• Limited collaboration: project team members cannot be notified
• No information on resources and teams’ capacity
• No global access to teams or employees. Can lead to frustration and data discrepancies

An ERP is a very comprehensive tool, but it is not intended for resource management. It should only be used by companies with less than 5 employees - and even then...  

Proprietary solution: economical and efficient?

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The creation of an internal assignment tool relies on the acquisition of highly competent teams to set up a custom tool. The idea is very attractive, since it is the assurance of a tool in perfect coherence with the prerogatives of the company.

Benefits

• A tailor-made, fully flexible tool
• Teams dedicated to its continuous improvement
• Functionalities perfectly adapted to the company

Disadvantages

• If there is turnover in the development team, employees will leave with their knowledge and expertise
• Setting up and mobilising teams to maintain the solution is very expensive
• The development team is no longer available for billable assignments

Developing your own tool will consume a lot of your time and requires a substantial budget to develop and to maintain.

Resource management software: the reference

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A tool of assignment aims to help you to pilot all your projects, via the mapping of competences of the collaborators - staffers for the intimate ones. It allows you, in a few clicks, to establish the best possible project teams. 

Benefits

• Comprehensive platform: can be updated quickly and the editor can be asked for advice
• User-friendly tool
• Fully collaborative tool
• Easy communication: colleagues and team members can be notified and alerted

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Disadvantages

• It is not a proprietary tool. Make sure you get good customer service
• Some features may be missing at the beginning. Inquire about them on an initial call or ask for a custom quote.  

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The dedicated assignment tool is the best solution for your company. You have a solution that is ergonomic and in line with your business. You focus on your core business, using a platform that already has all the expected features.

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To find out more and discover which is the best tool for your needs, watch our webinar assignment :

Which assignment tool is right for you?