How many software features does your company pay for but never use? If you’re like most businesses, the answer is “many of them.” Studies reveal an uncomfortable truth about enterprise software: organizations typically use less than 20% of the features they purchase. This longstanding inefficiency has forced companies to buy entire software suites just to access a handful of crucial features.

But the status quo may finally be changing. New software architecture models like “Composable Modularity” and “Flexible Consumption” are gaining traction, with Digitech Systems’ Sys.tm® leading the charge in the information management industry. This innovative platform allows companies to pay only for the features they need, offering a real-world glimpse into the future of efficient, customizable software.

Breaking the Mold of Traditional Software Licensing

Traditional enterprise software often requires organizations to purchase complete suites, resulting in wasted resources as companies pay for—and try to maintain—features they rarely, if ever, use. This model places a double burden on organizations: wasted costs and complex interfaces that bog down productivity. For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), the impact is particularly severe, as high upfront costs make accessing robust, enterprise-grade solutions nearly impossible.

Rethinking Software Architecture with Sys.tm®

To address this challenge, Digitech Systems reimagined the structure of enterprise software with Sys.tm, a flexible, microservices-based information management and business process automation platform that lets organizations activate capabilities as needed. According to Christina Robbins, VP of Communications, Sys.tm was created with the understanding that around 80% of features in traditional software are rarely used—yet businesses are forced to pay for them continuously.

With Sys.tm, organizations pay only for the features that directly support their unique needs. This approach introduces unprecedented flexibility to the information management industry, marking the first time enterprise-grade capabilities have been made available in a truly modular format. Sys.tm brings to life a vision for enterprise software that is both powerful and accessible, allowing users to adapt the platform without unnecessary cost or complexity.

The Cost of Feature Bloat

Software with an excess of features comes with great power but often also a level of complexity and expense that limits its value. Bloated software is harder to navigate, slowing task completion and increasing training times for new users. IT support costs rise as teams struggle to maintain and troubleshoot unnecessary features, while productivity dips as employees navigate cluttered interfaces filled with irrelevant options. The challenges from heavy-feature-focused software are many:

• Slower task completion: Complex navigation adds friction to everyday tasks.
• Extended training times: New employees must spend more time learning to use cumbersome software.
• Increased IT support needs: Extra features mean extra troubleshooting and maintenance.
• Employee resistance: When overwhelmed, employees are less likely to embrace new systems.
• Higher hardware costs: Complex software often requires advanced infrastructure.
• Complicated data tracking and reporting: Unnecessary features can lead to redundant data and reporting challenges.

In contrast, modular structures like Sys.tm reverse these inefficiencies. Presenting users only with the tools they need improves usability, streamlines training, and allows employees to focus on core tasks instead of wrestling with feature-laden software.

Closing the Security Gap for Small and Medium Businesses

Beyond cost efficiency, modular software architectures like Sys.tm make advanced, enterprise-grade capabilities accessible to businesses of all sizes. Regulation-grade security, a critical feature traditionally out of reach for SMBs, is a prime example. Many smaller companies are frequent targets for cybercriminals but lack the budget to access comprehensive security features, such as advanced encryption at rest and detailed audit trails, that larger enterprises rely on to protect sensitive data and comply with regulations.

Sys.tm bridges this gap, providing regulation-grade security within a flexible model. This means SMBs can now access robust, enterprise-level protection without the prohibitive licensing fees or commitment to full-scale suites. In an era where digital data security is paramount, the ability to work with more sophisticated information and content management technology like Sys.tm means SMBs can secure their information assets and meet regulatory demands without compromising their budget or their digital safety.

This democratization of high-caliber capabilities not only fortifies small businesses against cyber threats but also underscores the value of microservices-based platforms: SMBs gain access to essential enterprise features without the excess and cost burden, allowing them to operate with the same level of protection as their corporate counterparts.

The Future of Software: Efficiency and Accessibility

As more businesses adopt digital solutions, access to sophisticated, secure systems should not be limited by budget constraints or company size. Platforms like Sys.tm are closing critical efficiency and security gaps, allowing companies of all sizes to operate safely and effectively. This shift toward flexible, modular software models signals the beginning of the end for shelfware as businesses move toward systems that offer only what they need—nothing more, nothing less.

In a world where software can finally adapt to the needs of the user, feature bloat and shelfware may soon become a thing of the past.

Published By: Aize Perez