Boosting up your business with powerful software applications can be one of the most rewarding investments there is, given you choose rightly,
Many businesses face challenges in selecting appropriate software applications. It is essential to find a software solution that can not only support immediate business-critical tasks but also grow with the company so that expensive upgrades can be avoided. As solutions continue to advance and more vendors emerge on the market. And here are some criteria that should help you to successfully select the most suitable solution for your business.
The vendor criteria center around commitment and stability, and include:
· Pricing strategy and flexible terms of payment.
· Product scope that includes the ability to provide a complete solution.
· Vendor commitment.
· Client support levels.
The product criteria focus on performance and functionality and include:
· Flexibility that includes the ability to support several work flows.
· Performance: processing speed and multiple processing.
· Reliability in the form of tool stability over the useful life.
· Security that includes the use of passwords/user IDs.
· Functionality: drill down/drill through.
· Ease of use (short learning curve).
· Initial Software Price plus Running Cost verses Quality and Limited Budget.
· Are upgrades included and if so, how often?
· The right kind of support for a potential technology problem can make the difference between a minor blip on the screen and a
major company problem.
· Data safety and backup strategies.
Also you must Prioritize your list of requirements, both functional and non-functional. Give each requirement a rating, such as:
· Must Have - without this feature the package is not usable.
· Advantageous - the feature would save a lot of time.
· Nice to Have - useful, but not essential.
And finally, Demand a demonstration session and carefully plan to make sure that involved staff is well prepared and have enough free time to examine all essential aspects of the software solution.
