fbpx

Selecting YOUR NEXT IT SOLUTION: Things to keep in mind

IT solutions

Share This Post

Marketing and sales hypes are everywhere. In this dynamic technology landscape, we are bombarded and overwhelmed every day with an ample number of IT solution choices.

Selecting an IT solution, be it a Financial, Human Resources, Enterprise Resource Planning, Restaurant Management or Point-of-Sale software, is a challenging task. Unless you are an IT geek, chances are there that you might end up spending a huge amount of money and dig up your own source of frustration.

Selecting an IT solution is a challenging task


Generally and traditionally, the selection process starts with a software requirement analysis, Request for Proposal (RFP) and identifying vendors.

But does this process help to identify the right IT solution for you? Not only that, through this process how do you tell which vendor will be trustworthy and provide you with consistent after-sales support and service? It is important to have a game plan to choose your right software as well as the vendor that will work for your venture without breaking your bank.

So, how do you sort through all the choices that you are offered to and select your desired IT solution and vendor?

Factors Need to consider while selecting your next IT solution vendor

Know your software needs: Before you head out to the marketplace for vendor selection, identify your business challenges. The first step is to nail your real problems. Remember, these are the ones that you truly desire to see resolved and therefore need to be pinpointed as accurately as possible.

A vague set of requirements will only get you a vague solution. Therefore, gather your IT needs as accurately and articulately as possible. Once you have the big picture, you can now narrow your must-have list down and start looking for vendors.

Know your budget: The next related step is to determine your budget for this solution. Always remember that you are paying for solving a real-life problem and so you must establish a realistic cost associated with it. Going cheaper would often mean an unreliable IT solution and/or vendor. On the opposite spectrum, spending more than you need may often translate into procuring something that you may not even need.

So, try to accurately predict your budget by looking at your problem areas.

Financial stability, expertise, and reputation: When acquiring an IT solution, it is mandatory to know that the software company is well-reputed, proficient and financially sound. You should consider their background and experiences (such as the number of years in the business industry, business trends, a good track record of successful completion of work, adequate staff members with required domain knowledge, credentials and certificates, etc.).

Client base and word-of-mouth are indicators of vendor reputation and their business strength.

You should know the number of clients your vendor has. Ask your vendor for references, if possible visit their client(s) to get a better understanding of the product.

Choosing an IT solution vendor can be quite a challenging task

Good assistance throughout the journey: During the technology partnership with your IT solution vendor, you will be needing a lot of troubleshooting and software assistance.

Therefore, know the vendor’s policies and practices regarding maintenance and support service. Know their contract terms, service level agreement, user training, consultation, and customization facilities.

Figure out the cost: Concerning the cost, you often hear businesses claim that budget is not a big deal, however, in reality, it becomes one of the prime factors that impacts your procuring decisions. Hidden costs! – always find out what the total cost of procuring will be.

Make sure that the price on the label is the final cost. Get all the necessary details and full cost of the software to get rid of any unwanted hidden charge.


Last but not the least, keep an open mind and take your time to select your vendor for your next IT solution. Happy hunting!

Further Reading: YOUR HR SOFTWARE IMPLEMENTATION ROAD MAP

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get updates and learn from the best

More To Explore

Requesting demo

Ascend Financials logo