The Software Purchasing Process, II
Part 2 in a 3-part series
Educate Yourself and Define Your Goals
Once your organization has committed to purchasing software, bring in an independent expert to teach you, and your selection team about the software you are looking for. Scan the market and identify all potential packages. Make a list of approximately 20 “must haves”. These requirements might relate to:
- Operating systems
- Cost
- Time to implement
- POS Rollouts
- Compatibility with other software
- Local support
- Access to source code
- Vendor size
- Functionality
- Multi-Site Rollouts
Scan the market and identify all potential packages that match your listed criteria.
Arrange a Software Demonstration
Have vendors demonstrate their software to you and your selection team. Prior to the demonstration it is imperative that you create an agenda that covers everything you want to see. At the time of demonstration be sure to do the following:
- Give a copy of the agenda to each member of the selection team.
- Let the rep know that you have an agenda, and be sure that he agrees to follow it.
- Tell that rep that all future contact is to be through you
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