In our newsletters and webinars we discuss software applications that can
bring additional value to your organization.
But whether you are looking
at a complete accounting or CRM solution, an add-on to the software
your company already owns, or any other type of software solution, what can
you do to best ensure that any application you invest in will be a good fit
for your needs?
The
software demonstration is an excellent time for your team to understand
the features and capabilities of a particular solution. Take full advantage
of this opportunity by following these guidelines.
Inform the presenter about your specific
needs in advance
A software demo is a
reseller's opportunity to profile their products and
services. By informing them ahead of time about
your specific needs, you direct the demonstrator's
attention to your particular needs.
Make sure your core team is able to attend
the demos
When looking at larger applications that may touch multiple areas in your
organization, make it a priority to keep your core team
up to date about their appointments. Since each team member has a different
area of expertise, it's important for everyone on the
team to be at the demonstration in order to get
the most out of each demo. Encourage team
members to remain in the room through the
entire demo; shared concerns can be flagged
more effectively if everyone is present to hear
questions raised by others on the team.
Plan your questions
Have the core team come
up with questions for each product demonstrator.
You may also want to plan the sequence in which
the questions are asked, to ensure that everyone
stays on topic during each demonstration.
Establish a system for scoring each issue
addressed by the demonstrator
Keeping
tally for individual issues makes the entire
scoring process efficient. It prevents situations in
which someone from your team forgets how a
particular demonstrator addressed an issue. The
scores will also come in handy when it's time to
decide which of the short-listed solutions is best
suited for your organization.
Ask the reseller to follow up on any issues
not addressed
The reseller may need to consult
with colleagues or the software manufacturer
before providing answers to more in-depth
questions. Be sure someone on your team follows
up on any unanswered questions after the demo.
Seven questions to ask about a new system
- Estimated license cost for implementation
- Estimated costs to adapt the system to your requirements
- Estimated costs for any required equipment
and its maintenance
- Timeframe and cost for implementation
- Annual support and maintenance costs
- Training methodology and training costs
- A plan for integrating your back-office systems
If you have questions on what we have already provided you,
or on additional software, please let us know. We will be happy to address
your particular situation. Please contact Alan Ogilvie at
info@computerworks.bc.ca or
604-552-4008 for more information.
