A Farewell To Spreadsheets

The absence of a clear audit trail in spreadsheets can make it challenging to pinpoint the roots of errors, potentially impacting the cost-efficiency of operations. JLD sees this as an opportunity to explore better, more transparent methods for tracking and improving workplace processes. While spreadsheets have been the go-to solution for many years, they may not always be the most adaptable or user-friendly option. Implementing changes can be time-consuming, and the static nature of spreadsheets often lead to frustrating error cascades.

It’s easy to understand why spreadsheets remain a popular method of tracking data. They have a broad, open-ended utility and they have played an instrumental role in business operations for decades. Nevertheless, as we grow and progress in a rapidly evolving world, it’s crucial to address some of the challenges that come with traditional spreadsheet use.

Research suggests each cell in a spreadsheet has a 1% to 5% risk of containing an error? Given the sheer volume of cells in a typical document, it’s perhaps not surprising that up to 90% of spreadsheets to have errors. Interestingly, these errors often hide in plain sight, with around 40% going undetected in certain studies – a compelling reason to seek out more efficient, error-minimizing solutions.

Moreover, spreadsheets don’t promote optimal team collaboration – an essential aspect of modern work dynamics. The knowledge and insights of individuals often remain confined within static documents, creating an inadvertent siloing of knowledge. Even though the collaborative abilities of web-based spreadsheets are improving, tracking changes across multiple documents can be a daunting task.

In the final analysis, any inefficiencies, inaccuracies, or inflexibility can lead to unintended costs, especially when multiple spreadsheets and calculations are involved in a project. This  underscores the need for the right platform to deliver fast, consistent, and highly accurate estimates.

Recognizing these limitations of spreadsheets, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. We firmly believe that it’s time to embrace the future, and for years we have utilized innovative software solutions that are purpose-built for the demands of modern work instead of the old spreadsheet model.

JLD is excited to be on the forefront of this evolution. Farewell, spreadsheets. We’ll always have fantasy football.