There are six key software evaluation criteria that should be considered in an organization’s software decision. By gathering the right information from the software vendors as you go through your software selection process, you can make an informed decision and have the greatest chance for implementation success.
#1 = Functionality – Functionality is the most important criteria to evaluate as you are considering your software options. As you evaluate the software vendors make sure that you focus on your key differentiators first. In other words, make the most important things the most important. Your initial criteria list should be 2-5 pages. You should also make sure that they have the right functionality to fit your industry specific requirements. Just because the software is well known, does not mean the vendor has the specific functionality you need to run your business.
#2 = Technology – The technology that the software vendor runs their software must be a match for the platform and database that you are running and the expertise of the IT staff that you have in-house. It is important to remember that you should have a forward looking technology that has momentum for the future. It is also important to make sure that it matches the other systems you have in-house in order to mitigate integration issues.
#3 = Software Vendor – The software vendor is a critical part of the software selection process. You are not just buying a static software solution; you are actually buying a relationship with that software vendor. You will be paying annual maintenance so that they will continue to develop, enhance, and improve the product. Will they be making new enhancements that you are interested in?
#4 = Implementation Vendor/VAR – Getting the right implementation vendor/Value Added Reseller is just as critical as finding the right software solution. You will work closely with them as you go through the difficult task of implementation. They need to have experience with the software product that you are implementing and the industry that you are in. You have many VAR/Implementation Partner options available to you. Make sure you get one that has a focus in your industry.
#5 = Maintenance & Support – You can expect to pay between 18-25% of the license cost for maintenance. This entitles you to upgrades and some level of support. You should make sure that this investment will be making on an annual basis will be appropriate.
#6 = Total Cost of Ownership – You need to consider the total cost of ownership of the software solution and not just the big discount that the vendor may be offering for the up-front license cost. There are 3 main components of out-of-pocket cost that should be considered. These components include the software license, software maintenance, and implementation services. You should look at the cost for the next 5-7 years in order to get a good idea of the long term cost to your organization.
Source:
http://www.articlesbase.com/software-articles/6-key-software-evaluation-criteria-681797.html
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