In the same vein of ‘measure twice, cut once’, it always pays to be prepared before you jump into moving forward with a project. That mindset transfers into most business functionality and just in general in life- making sure you’re making the right decision saves the hassle of having to backtrack and fix problems that could have been avoided. With that in mind, we want to talk about software- the spine of any industry and the unsung hero of cannabis compliance. While it may not be the most fun flashy element of running a cannabis operation, it is a surefire way to track processes, keep records and reporting clear, and keep all operations compliant in the eyes of the local governing entities.
At its core, software systems are meant to eliminate redundancy, reduce human error, and expedite services. Within cannabis, the best way to accomplish this is to find a platform that can connect different business operations and simultaneously ensure there are safeguards in place to support compliance regulations for each operation’s location. Falling out of compliance can cause huge fines, loss of licenses, and easily shutter the doors to a business quickly and mercilessly so this is certainly not an area to skimp on. Compliance-based software solutions are truly the key to growth in regulated cannabis and from there, picking the right software from the short list of those who do have compliance safeguards is a cakewalk.
With compliance in mind, looking at software that supports growth comes down to just a few factors that can be adjusted for your business goals. We highly suggest looking for solutions that integrate both current solutions and future projects into everyday practices. These kinds of solutions may include opportunities like a mobile tablet POS system for budtender or back-end fulfillment, click and collect for pre-orders, and delivery to accommodate for road closures or other opportunities where customers may be encouraged to stay home. Not only does that offer current solutions but also opens your business to future endeavors in unforeseen circumstances- like a certain pandemic that forced most operators to adjust how they conducted business.
Software can also work beyond the POS system and connect different departments to band together for future success as well. Some systems utilize ERP framework, which innately connects other groups such as finance to the core of the software. This not only streamlines the number of platforms across an organization to juggle, but also immediately connects to the other elements of the business for accurate reporting and data. Data is truly worth its weight in gold and can drive business decisions both long term for business planning and short term to adjust for labor, last minute sales, or purchasing decisions.
Speaking of data, software that additionally has a keen eye on your customers can deliver incredible data for business decisions. Insights into customer spend, demographics, and even what regions they
are traveling from to visit your store. This kind of data can shape what kind of products you carry, what kind of sales you run, and formulate how you approach marketing to your localized regions. This data can be tricky to maneuver, but as your business grows this detailed level of insight becomes unmatched in its uses.
For all these reasons and surely more, finding the right software partner who can provide all of these solutions is worth the investment. Finding a solution that not only works for your business today but sets you up for tomorrow is the best way to find success. MJ Platform is confident in being able to provide all of these elements we discussed in our software solutions and more and can absolutely boost our forward-thinking partners into the next phase of cannabis. To get a demo of the platform from one of our ERP solution experts, click here.
