Safety data sheets help provide every employee with important health and safety information. But without the right SDS management software, this information may be way too difficult to access.
The solution is to choose the best SDS software. Wondering how to make the best decision? Keep reading to learn about the primary factors you must consider.
1. Local Standards
Arguably, the most important factor when choosing SDS management software is also the most straightforward. You must choose software that meets your local regulatory standards.
For most companies, the entire point of this software is to help them meet local standards and all applicable laws. But this is easier said than done because the regulatory standards may vary from state to state and country to country.
No SDS management software is a “one size fits all” solution. Ideally, you will identify software that best meets your compliance needs as well as the needs of your entire organization.
2. Purchase Cost
It’s a rookie mistake to begin searching for new software before you have created a budget. By creating that budget first, you get a better idea of how much money you can afford to spend on new software.
The good news is that “shopping” for new software is similar to shopping for any other major purchase. That means you don’t necessarily want to buy the cheapest option because it may provide the poorest quality. At the same time, the most expensive options may be out of your price range and offer numerous features you don’t really need.
When in doubt, don’t be afraid to consult with SDS management experts. They can help you navigate different features and options and discover a price that works best for your budget and needs.
3. Accurate Product Representation
With SDS software, the old rule still applies: “garbage in, garbage out.” That’s another way of saying that the app is only as good as the accuracy of its information.
In short, you need SDS management software that provides accurate representation for different products. That means that all SDS information should be up to date and the information should be fully endorsed by the manufacturer.
Another component of accurate product representation is that it adequately presents the specific hazards of specific products. Such information is designed to keep employees safe, and failing to inform employees of hazards may open the door to legal action against your business.
4. Good Referrals
Choosing new SDS management software may feel like something of a gamble. To make it feel more like a “sure thing,” you should find as many online referrals for specific software as you can.
This can be as simple as checking the online reviews for a product. If it generally has four or five stars from different user reviews, then you can rest assured that it is a quality product.
It’s also good to seek out customer testimonials. This can provide more information about specific features and benefits than a simple review.
Finally, you can seek out social proof and see what different users are saying about the product and the manufacturer on social media. This gives you an honest idea of the software quality as well as a chance to see how the manufacturer responds to negative chatter online. The quality of their responses may give you a strong idea about their overall customer service.
5. SDS Accessibility
It’s easy to get lost in all of the different features of new software. But beyond these assorted “bells and whistles,” you need to keep one thing in mind: information accessibility.
To maximize employee safety, it’s important that SDS information be available at all times. This is why online SDS management has become so important: it lets you remotely access information at any time and place.
Part of that accessibility includes the complexity of the interface and the speed of the system. If the information is difficult to access or slow to load, then you are better off choosing new software.
6. Ease of Use
You want a product that ultimately saves time and money because it makes accessing this information much easier. As long as you are saving more in clerical costs than you are spending on the software, your business is coming out ahead.
The biggest obstacle to this is if you choose software that is not easy for employees to use. If using the software requires extensive training and supervision, then you might end up asking yourself why you switched software to begin with.
To really save time, make sure your software allows you to automate various functions and send alerts to relevant personnel as needed. The more the software can take care of itself, the less you and other employees can focus on other areas of the business.
7. Implementation Speed
When you run a business, the phrase “time is money” is quite literal. Every extra second wasted on a lengthy task is a second of lost productivity.
That’s why implementation speed is so important when it comes to SDS management software. Certain software will seemingly take forever for you to load and verify all relevant SDS data. This can grind your productivity to a halt and seriously impact your bottom line.
Long story short? Focus on SDS software that you can implement ASAP. The quicker you can get back to work, the sooner your new software can start saving you both time and money.
SDS Management Software: What Comes Next?
Now you know how to choose good SDS management software. But do you know who can help provide and implement the best software for your business?
We specialize in all aspects of SDS management. To see what we can do for you and your organization, contact us today!
