In this article, we present the five best tools for agencies - from project management to accounting. JIRA facilitates agile workflows, Productive combines time recording with budget control, Kimai offers flexible open source time recording and LexOffice automates accounting. aHub360 combines customer management, subscription tracking and project planning in one platform.
Agencies juggle a multitude of projects, clients and deadlines every day. But who wants to deal with superfluous admin tasks, chaotic time recording or inefficient invoicing? The solution: smart tools that optimise workflows, save time and keep an overview.
In this article we present The five best tools for agencies from project management to accounting. Particularly exciting: aHub360, a comprehensive platform for agencies that centralises various work processes.
JIRA - The standard tool for agile project management
When it comes to complex projects and agile working methods, the JIRA one of the most powerful solutions on the market. Especially for agencies that work with Scrum or Kanban work, JIRA offers an optimal environment for Task management, sprint planning and team coordination.
A major advantage of JIRA is its Flexibility. The workflows can be customised so that they fit perfectly with different team structures. JIRA also offers detailed task management with a clear overview of the progress of individual projects.
Since JIRA offers many functions, getting started can be a bit overwhelming. But with Predefined templates and automations it is easier to work productively quickly.
aHub360 - The complete solution for agencies
Many agencies use several separate tools for different processes - one software for customer management, one for project planning and another for invoicing. aHub360 puts an end to this tool chaos and combines Customer management, subscription tracking, project planning and SOP documentation in a single platform.
A key advantage of aHub360 is the Comprehensive customer management. All relevant customer data - from addresses and industry information to NPS ratings - are clearly stored in one place. At the same time, the Automated subscription trackingto monitor recurring payments and fixed costs and thus avoid unnecessary expenditure.
The Project and resource planning makes the day-to-day work of agencies much more efficient. Instead of fighting your way through confusing tables, you can projects are clearly structured, tasks are sensibly distributed and team capacities are checked in real time. This means that you can always see which resources are still available and where bottlenecks are imminent.
The option is particularly helpful, to store recurring work processes as SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures). This means no more lost processes, no more duplicate questions and faster familiarisation of new employees.
Productive - profitability and project management combined
For agencies that want to combine project management and finance in one platformis Productive a powerful solution. In addition to classic project controlling, Productive offers comprehensive functions for Time recording, budget control and invoicing.
Thanks to the integrated time recording can be Assign working times directly to projectsThis makes it clear at all times which budgets have already been utilised. The Automatic budget management helps to keep projects profitable, while invoices can be generated directly from the system.
With the integrated CRM function agencies also keep an eye on their customer relationships - from the initial contact to the final project completion.
Kimai - Flexible open source time recording
Efficient time recording is essential for agencies, whether for internal optimisation or for billing client projects. Whoever needs a Flexible and free solution will find with Kimai a powerful open source alternative that can be easily integrated into everyday working life.
The software offers an intuitive Start/stop functionwith which working times can be recorded effortlessly. This not only makes documentation easier, but also ensures Transparent billing of hours worked. In addition Detailed reporting options which enable clear evaluation and further processing of the recorded times.
Kimai is suitable for both freelancers and larger teams, as several users can work simultaneously. Thanks to the open source structure, the tool is Flexibly customisable and can be extended according to individual requirements.
LexOffice - Automated accounting
For many agencies, accounting is a rather unloved task. LexOffice largely takes over this process and automates Invoicing, document management and tax documentation.
The software recognises Automatic receipts, creates invoices with just a few clicks and enables direct DATEV interfaceso that tax consultants can easily access the data. Especially for smaller agencies and freelancers is LexOffice a time-saving solution that significantly reduces the administrative workload.
Thanks to the Cloud-based management users have access to their financial data at all times, allowing them to concentrate fully on their projects.
Tools for agencies at a glance
| Tool | Use case | Strengths | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| JIRA | Agile project management | Task management, customisable workflows, dev tool integration | IT agencies & teams with agile processes |
| aHub360 | All-in-one agency software | Customer management, subscription tracking, project & resource planning, SOP documentation | Agencies that want to centralise processes |
| Productive | Budget control, time recording, invoicing | Budget control, time recording, invoicing | Agencies with a focus on finance & accounting |
| Kimai | Simple time recording | Open source, start/stop function, reports for billing | Freelancers & small teams |
| LexOffice | Accounting & invoicing | Automatic document recognition, tax consultant export (DATEV), invoice automation | Agencies that want to outsource accounting |
Conclusion: The right combination of tools for greater efficiency
Agencies have to keep an eye on many processes at the same time - from Project management, time recording and financial management. Choosing the right tools can make all the difference here: JIRA is ideal for Agile project management, Kimai for a Simple and flexible time recordingwhile LexOffice the Automated accounting and invoicing.
While specialised tools efficiently cover individual tasks, the aHub360 a centralised solution that Customer management, subscription tracking, project planning and SOP documentation united in one platform. This not only reduces the administrative workload, but also optimises collaboration within the team.
So if you are looking for a Integrated control of all core processes is set in aHub360 a powerful alternative to a combination of several individual solutions - ideal for agencies that Work more efficiently and scale in the long term would like.
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