Internal tool

Software built for a firm's own team to use - a dashboard, a form, a tracker or a small app - shaped to how that team works rather than bought off the shelf.

For example, an agency might have an internal tool that pulls every client's hours and budget into one screen, so account leads can see who is close to going over without opening three apps.

Why it matters to your firm: generic software makes your people bend their work to fit it. An internal tool fits the way your firm already works, so it gets used - and the hours come back. Start with an ops audit to see which tool would give your team the most time back.