3 Software Applications for Efficient Shared Services Teams

StartingPoint
POSTED ON
February 16, 2025

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Shared services teams play a critical role in ensuring operational efficiency, cost reduction, and streamlined processes within organizations. However, managing multiple SaaS applications to handle service requests, project tracking, and workflow automation can often lead to inefficiencies, silos, and unnecessary costs. The growing trend among enterprises is to consolidate software applications, reducing complexity while enhancing productivity at scale.

This blog explores three key software applications that shared services teams can leverage to optimize operations and enhance efficiency. We will examine ServiceNow, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and StartingPoint, three solutions that help organizations simplify workflows, increase productivity, and consolidate multiple software functions into a single, unified platform.

The Growing Need for SaaS Consolidation in Shared Services

Many organizations find themselves managing an overwhelming number of SaaS applications across various departments. While each application may serve a specific function, the fragmentation of tools often results in inefficiencies such as data silos, increased software subscription costs, and the need for extensive employee training. As companies look to drive operational efficiency and reduce application subscriptions, consolidating services into fewer, more comprehensive platforms has become a priority.

Shared services teams, often responsible for HR, IT support, finance, procurement, and other operational areas, require a single pane of glass to manage service requests, projects, and internal support efficiently. By utilizing software platforms designed for workflow automation and process standardization, organizations can improve transparency and drive efficiency across teams.

1. ServiceNow – Enterprise IT Service Management and Workflow Automation

Best for: Large enterprises managing complex IT service and business operations

ServiceNow is a robust enterprise platform designed to streamline IT service management (ITSM), IT operations, and business workflows. It offers extensive automation, artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, and integrations with enterprise applications, making it a preferred solution for large-scale global business services teams.

Key Features:

  • Enterprise IT Service Management: Automates IT help desk, incident management, and service requests.
  • HR and Finance Workflows: Enables automation of employee onboarding, payroll processes, and procurement approvals.
  • AI-Powered Chatbots & Automation: Reduces manual tasks by utilizing AI to predict and automate common service requests.
  • Customizable Dashboards: Provides leadership with visibility into business processes, service requests, and operational performance.

How ServiceNow Improves Shared Services: ServiceNow is an ideal solution for enterprises that require a highly scalable and configurable ITSM platform. By unifying service management across IT, HR, and finance, it eliminates the need for multiple siloed applications, providing better service tracking and automation across departments.

2. Microsoft Dynamics 365 – Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) & Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Best for: Large enterprises needing a fully integrated ERP and CRM solution

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a cloud-based business application suite that integrates ERP and CRM capabilities. It provides enterprise-wide visibility and automation across finance, operations, customer service, sales, and marketing, making it an ideal solution for organizations looking to unify their shared services functions.

Key Features:

  • Comprehensive ERP Capabilities: Includes financial management, supply chain automation, and human resource planning.
  • AI-Powered Customer Service & Sales Automation: Uses AI insights to improve customer interactions and streamline sales pipelines.
  • Seamless Microsoft Integration: Integrates with Microsoft 365 tools such as Outlook, Teams, and Power BI for improved collaboration.
  • Business Process Automation: Automates workflows for finance, procurement, and HR departments.

How Microsoft Dynamics 365 Improves Shared Services: Shared services teams benefit from end-to-end process automation and data unification, allowing seamless information sharing between HR, finance, and operations. Instead of using separate software for each function, Microsoft Dynamics 365 consolidates operations into a single, unified system, reducing costs and enhancing efficiency.

3. StartingPoint – Workflow & Service Management for Enterprise and Mid-Market Companies

Best for: Enterprise and mid-market companies needing rapid deployment, workflow automation, and service management

StartingPoint is an all-in-one workflow management and customer support platform designed for shared services teams. Unlike enterprise-grade solutions that require months of deployment and high customization costs, StartingPoint is fully deployed and customized within two hours, allowing businesses to quickly streamline internal and external operations.

Key Features:

  • Fast Deployment: Implemented and customized in under two hours, reducing setup and onboarding time.
  • Workflow Automation: Streamlines project management, service requests, and internal approvals.
  • Customer and Employee Support: Provides a unified platform for managing service tickets, employee requests, and client interactions.
  • Cost Reduction: Eliminates the need for multiple SaaS applications, lowering overall software expenses.
  • Single Pane of Glass Visibility: Offers leadership teams real-time insights into operations, performance, and service management.

How StartingPoint Improves Shared Services: Unlike larger platforms that require significant customization and long implementation cycles, StartingPoint provides an efficient, easy-to-use solution tailored for both mid-market and enterprise teams. By consolidating project management, service desk support, and internal workflows, it eliminates siloed applications, reduces IT complexity, and enhances transparency across departments.

Why SaaS Consolidation is the Future of Shared Services

With companies increasingly adopting digital transformation strategies, reducing the number of software applications is a crucial step in achieving operational efficiency and cost savings. Shared services teams that manage multiple SaaS tools often face:

  • Duplicate software functionalities across different tools
  • Increased IT management complexity and security risks
  • Higher subscription costs due to redundant applications
  • Lack of integration and data consistency

By consolidating applications into comprehensive platforms such as ServiceNow, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and StartingPoint, organizations can:

  • Simplify workflows and improve efficiency
  • Reduce software and operational costs
  • Enhance cross-department collaboration and transparency
  • Scale operations without adding unnecessary complexity

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Software for Your Shared Services Team

When selecting a shared services management solution, companies must consider factors such as scalability, ease of deployment, integration capabilities, and cost efficiency.

  • For large enterprises with complex IT service management and global business processes, ServiceNow provides a highly configurable ITSM and workflow automation platform.
  • For organizations looking for a full-suite ERP and CRM solution, Microsoft Dynamics 365 integrates business processes across finance, HR, and operations.
  • For mid-market and enterprise teams that need a fast, cost-effective, and consolidated workflow platform, StartingPoint offers a powerful, rapidly deployable solution that enhances efficiency, visibility, and customer support.

By reducing reliance on multiple SaaS applications and leveraging comprehensive platforms, shared services teams can increase productivity, simplify workflows, and drive sustainable business growth.

Visit StartingPoint at www.startingpoint.ai for more information!