Spreadsheets have been a trusted tool in business for decades. They’re familiar, flexible, and – let’s be honest – there’s a little thrill when a complex formula finally works. But the truth is, most businesses are still overly dependent on spreadsheets, even as their limitations grow more obvious by the day.
Despite their usefulness, spreadsheets can become a bottleneck. They’re prone to errors, difficult to manage across teams, and often rely on manual updates that waste valuable time.
The Risks of Relying on Outdated Spreadsheets
It might seem harmless to keep plugging away at that spreadsheet, but the risks are real. Studies suggest that around 90% of businesses still use spreadsheets to manage core operations, from financial tracking to customer data. Yet this outdated approach can:
- Increase the likelihood of human error
- Create confusion around version control
- Slow down workflows and decision-making
- Compromise data security if not properly managed
How often have you wasted time searching for the “latest” version of a file, correcting formulas, or re-entering data because something didn’t save properly? You’re not alone.
Automation: A Smarter Way to Manage Data
While 82% of organisations say automation is on their roadmap, less than half plan to implement it within the next year. This leaves many teams stuck in the same cycle of spreadsheet stress.
Automation offers a better alternative. It allows businesses to:
- Collect, sort and process data automatically
- Generate real-time reports
- Eliminate manual data entry
- Minimise the risk of human error
- Improve collaboration with live, cloud-based tools
- Secure sensitive information with role-based access
With automation, the time you spend manually inputting figures or reconciling data could be cut drastically – freeing your team to focus on more valuable work.
If you’re wondering what this looks like in practice, take a look at our Tregothnan success story. We helped them bring all their systems together through smart integration and automation, significantly increasing efficiency across the business.
But Aren’t Spreadsheets Safe and Familiar?
Yes – and that’s exactly why so many businesses are hesitant to change. There’s comfort in familiarity, even when the system is inefficient. But the reality is that clinging to outdated tools is holding your business back.
The key is to start small. You don’t have to transform everything overnight. Look for areas where automation could have the biggest impact – like payment tracking, customer records, inventory management, or performance reporting.
Take the First Step Towards Smarter Working
Imagine a workday where your reports are generated automatically, your customer data is always up to date, and errors are a thing of the past. That’s the power of automation – and it’s more accessible than ever.
If you’re ready to explore how automation could boost your business’s efficiency and reduce the stress of spreadsheet overload, we’re here to help.
Get in touch today and take the first step towards smarter, faster, and more secure working.
