By Rich Eichacker
Vibrance Technology Corporation
In today's high-tech world, software can make or break your business. It affects your processes, your productivity, and your ability to provide quality products and services. In the first of two articles, I'll give you guidelines on finding the right software for your business. Next quarter, I'll start you on the path to creating a custom software solution, assuming you are unable to find a suitable commercial package.
Before beginning your search, conduct a needs analysis to define gaps and enhancement opportunities in your current environment. Define your budget up front. Identify and organize features & functionality that are: required; nice to have; lavish; and unimportant. Next, spend time searching the web, contacting vendors and evaluating demo software. You will need to compare each product you evaluate to your list of criteria and budget constraints. Be prepared to discover features you hadn't considered or thought possible. Adjust your evaluation criteria accordingly.
Each time you discover a package that doesn't fully meet your needs, move on. Consider the consequences of trying to shoehorn your business into a poorly fit system: Loss of productivity, high training costs, and rearrangement of your business processes, for starts. It's not worth it! Eliminate software that has too many features that fall into the "lavish" or "unimportant" category. Disregard anything too complex if your organization isn't staffed to handle it. Shy away from inflexible packages that force you to change your processes to suit its needs. Finally, if flexible reporting is a priority, refrain from software with proprietary databases that limit your access.
For each commercial application that makes your "short list", keep an eye out for potential drawbacks and hidden costs such as large support or licensing fees, and hardware or software keys that limit your use.
In the end, you will have found either: 1) a package that is a very good fit or 2) that you didn't find anything. Choice #2 is not so bad. Many businesses find that their needs are unique enough that they are better off
not purchasing a commercial package.
Next time, I'll discuss implementing a custom software solution that addresses the unique needs of your business. A process whereby YOU become the creator of the solution.
April 1999 - Volume 9, Number 2