In the extremely crowded PSA (professional services automation) software space, it can be hard for anyone to break through the pack. Still, if new social media apps have taught us anything though, it's that breaking through a crowded market can be successful with the right feature set and value proposition.CrossConcept is looking to do exactly that with a new PSA platform called Continuum -- which is not to be confused with the MSP-centric IT management platform company of the same name.Many of the best-known PSA software solution found particular niches -- such as NetSuite OpenAir and FinancialForce in the midmarket, or Autotask and ConnectWise in the SMB-centric IT services market. In CrossConcept's case, the company is positioning Continuum PSA for SMB customers. Currently in beta, customers can adopt the PSA platform for free for six months. Those beta program participants will also receive a 20 percent discount (after the free trial ends) for as long as they remain a customer paying customer.This could be a great way for a small business on a tight budget to figure out if PSA is for them. In return for the free six-month trial, CrossConcept asks customers to give feedback and suggestions on a bi-monthly basis, and to provide business references for CrossConcept.
Key Features of CrossConcept Continuum PSA
Continuum PSA's core features, according to CrossConcept, include:
- Time & Expense Tracking - See the time and expenses associated with any project. Track time across teams, projects and individual employees for real-time profitability and resource allocation insight.
- Resource Allocation - Central dashboard with a view of your entire organization’s resources.
- Billing & Invoicing - Integrated time tracking and invoicing. Create automated invoices and can be connected with multiple accounting solutions like Quickbooks and more.
- Project Management - Real-time access to project statuses.
- CRM - Track and manage the entire sales pipeline and customer relationship, analyze sales performance across the organization and keep everything needed for a single client account on a single platform.
CrossConcept, based on Ontario, is the latest consulting-type company pushing deeper into software. It's a familiar trend, considering how many MSPs have either spun off or launched software-centric businesses. The trend extends from North America to EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) to Asia Pacific -- where eNerds recently launched Invarosoft.
What drives the trend? IT services companies and consulting firms usually know what businesses are looking for in a solution, and often fill key niches with their own home-grown applications. In CrossConcept's case, we'll be watching to see if the Continuum PSA push pays dividends.
Additional insights from Joe Panettieri.
