The One App That Replaces 5 Different Tools in Your Business
Running a business today can require many different tools. You have one app for video calls, another for chat, a different one for project management, one more for file storage, and yet another for scheduling. While each tool might serve its purpose, juggling between them can create more problems than it solves.
According to Gartner, companies spend nearly 30% of their software budgets on overlapping tools that perform similar functions. For Malaysian SMEs, this is not just an unnecessary cost—it’s also a drain on productivity. Employees lose precious time logging in and out, searching for files in different systems, or trying to remember which platform hosts which project.
That’s why businesses worldwide are moving towards all-in-one platforms like Lark, which consolidates the features of Zoom, Slack, Dropbox, Trello, and more into one seamless application. With Lark, instead of subscribing to five tools, you only need one—saving money, reducing confusion, and boosting productivity.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- Why juggling too many apps slows your business down
- How Lark combines five essential tools into a single platform
- Real benefits for Malaysian SMEs with practical examples
- The hidden costs of using multiple tools versus one app
- Why Exabytes is the best partner to implement Lark locally
- Frequently asked questions to help you decide if it’s right for you
The Problem with Juggling Too Many Tools
On average, employees in Asia-Pacific switch between apps multiple times per day. This constant switching creates what researchers call context switching fatigue. Instead of focusing on work, employees waste mental energy adjusting to different interfaces.
For SMEs in Malaysia, this problem is amplified because:
- Teams are lean – one person might juggle multiple roles. Switching apps adds unnecessary strain.
- Costs are critical – maintaining five or more subscriptions eats into profit margins.
- Collaboration is regional – many Malaysian companies work with partners in Singapore, Indonesia, or China, and fragmented tools make cross-border work more difficult.
The result? Slower decision-making, duplicated work, and a less motivated workforce.
One App, Five Functions: How Lark Simplifies Work
Here’s how Lark helps businesses cut through the noise by replacing five key tools.
- Video Conferencing (Zoom → Lark Meetings)
Meetings are the backbone of collaboration, and most SMEs have relied on Zoom since the pandemic. But running Zoom alongside separate tools creates friction—download links, mismatched calendars, and extra bills.
Lark Meetings solves this by:
- Offering HD-quality video calls that run directly inside the platform.
- Supporting screen sharing, breakout rooms, and real-time collaboration on shared documents.
- Auto-integrating with chat and calendars so you don’t have to copy-paste meeting links.
- Team Communication (Slack → Lark Chat)
Communication platforms like Slack are powerful, but when they sit apart from your calendar, files, or project boards, conversations get lost.
Lark Chat eliminates this issue by:
- Combining instant messaging, threaded discussions, and email-style communication in one place.
- Offering AI-powered real-time translation—perfect for Malaysia’s multilingual teams (English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil).
- Allowing you to attach files directly from Lark Drive and link tasks from Lark Base without leaving the chat.
Malaysian example: A Penang tech startup with engineers in Vietnam and designers in Malaysia uses Lark Chat’s translation tool to bridge language gaps. Messages in Vietnamese instantly appear in English for Malaysian teammates, saving hours of back-and-forth.
- File Storage & Sharing (Dropbox → Lark Drive)
Most SMEs use Dropbox or Google Drive for file storage. While these tools work, they create silos—files live separately from conversations and tasks.
Lark Drive integrates storage directly into the workspace:
- Unified cloud storage—all your files live in the same ecosystem.
- Granular permissions—control who sees or edits files.
- Built-in version history—track edits without messy duplicate files.
Malaysian example: A Johor Bahru design agency stored large client files in Dropbox but often faced link expiration issues when sharing with clients. With Lark Drive, clients get controlled, trackable access, and designers can attach files directly in chat.
- Project Management (Trello → Lark Base)
Trello is a favourite among startups, but it doesn’t connect seamlessly with chat or meetings.
Lark Base replaces it with:
- Kanban-style boards for visual task management.
- Automated workflows that remind employees of deadlines.
- Integration with chat—tagging a teammate in a task automatically notifies them in chat.
Malaysian example: A retail SME in Selangor uses Lark Base to plan product launches. Instead of manually updating Trello and then messaging teammates separately, tasks auto-update across the board and chat. This reduced project turnaround by two weeks.
- Calendar & Scheduling (Outlook Add-ons → Lark Calendar)
Many SMEs rely on Outlook or Google Calendar, but these require separate scheduling apps for client booking.
Lark Calendar streamlines scheduling by:
- Syncing automatically with meetings and tasks.
- Allowing direct scheduling within chat windows.
- Sending automated reminders to reduce no-shows.
Malaysian example: An accounting firm in Petaling Jaya now schedules quarterly reviews directly in Lark Calendar. Clients receive invites linked to Lark Meetings, and attendance rates improved by 18% compared to Outlook invites.
The Hidden Costs of Multiple Apps
It’s not just about subscription fees. Managing multiple apps comes with hidden costs:
- Training time: Each new hire must learn 4–5 different platforms.
- Integration headaches: Connecting apps with Zapier or APIs adds extra expenses.
- Security risks: More tools mean more logins and higher risk of breaches.
According to Okta, 56% of companies say they pay for unused SaaS licenses every year. For SMEs, this wasted cost could instead go into growth.
Real Benefits for Malaysian Businesses
Switching to Lark with Exabytes brings tangible improvements:
- Reduce costs by up to 40% by consolidating tools.
- Boost productivity by 20–30% thanks to less app-switching.
- Improve collaboration across borders with AI translation.
- Streamline IT—only one vendor and one security protocol to manage.
Future-Proofing with One Platform
As businesses adopt AI and automation, having one integrated platform makes it easier to plug in future features. With Lark, you’re not just solving today’s problems—you’re preparing for tomorrow’s business needs.
Conclusion
Instead of juggling five tools, simplify your workflow with one app that does it all—Lark. Backed by Exabytes, you’ll not only save money but also empower your team with smoother collaboration, less confusion, and higher productivity.
👉 Ready to simplify your work? Visit Exabytes Lark today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is Lark secure enough to replace multiple apps? Yes. Lark complies with ISO/IEC 27018 standards and includes data encryption, making it suitable for SMEs handling sensitive data.
- Can small teams really benefit from Lark? Absolutely. Even teams of 5 people can save time and money by reducing the number of tools they manage.
- Does Lark support mobile users? Yes. Lark works on iOS and Android apps, perfect for remote or field employees.
- How does Lark compare to using Zoom + Slack + Trello? With separate apps, you face higher costs and context switching. Lark integrates all features in one interface, cutting wasted time by up to 32 days per employee per year.
- What about integration with existing tools? Lark integrates with popular apps like Salesforce, Jira, and Microsoft tools, so you don’t lose existing workflows.
- Can I migrate data easily? Yes, Exabytes provides data migration services to move files, chats, and projects into Lark.
