Choosing a software vendor is more than just selecting the software that you need. It's like conducting a job interview. This vendor should be part of your business for a decade or more. Therefore, you need to be comfortable with the vendor you are doing business with. Below are a few questions you need to ask to help determine if this is the right fit for your business.
A good software vendor should have plenty of references for you to talk to and they should be comfortable sharing them with potential customers.
How much of this feedback determines the functionality that is included? Software vendors should regularly solicit and incorporate these requirements into future product direction, this shows their commitment to the success of their customers.
Some are packaged, some are modular, some include consulting and some do not. If the solution is modular make sure that the vendor has a clear understanding of what modules you will need for your business. There are huge unforeseen costs and implementations fees to add modules later.
Technology/Functionality? When do you plan to get there? You want to partner with a vendor that adapts new technology and trends. Software is a technology so changes come fast, you need to be comfortable that the company you select is ready for these shifts.
This is a great measurement for customer satisfaction and company sustainability. This should raise a red flag if a vendor is unwilling to answer or doesn’t have the answer to this question.
Are upgrades included in your annual fee? Can the latest versions be downloaded from your website? Do upgrades include technical support? These are great questions that you need to know the answers to. A great upgrade isn’t going to do you any good if you can’t afford to implement it. During initial implementation your processes should have been documented which enables faster and less costly upgrades.
When is the next one planned? Short release cycles can lead to pricey consultant fees. Long release cycles show there is little investment in improving functionality of their products. A good release cycle is generally 12-24 months.
Is it outsourced? Are there scheduled classes?
Please fill out this short form to receive a personalized one-on-one demonstration.
Next
Give us your contact information
Prev
Where are you contacting us from?
24x7 self-support, downloads, updates, FAQs, review support incidents, your customer information, find news, promotions, technical tips, and event information.
On demand training, downloads, product demos, updates, FAQs, review support incidents, your customer information, find news, promotions, technical tips, and event information.