 The
Software System Selection Process
STEP
1
Conduct
a review and analysis of company operations and strategies
for future growth. Cause owners/managers
to thoughtfully consider "what they would like a software
system to do for the business." Introduce the decision-makers
to the comprehensive nature of system acquisition and
implementation from an investment, budget, technology
and operational perspective. Explain the purpose of
the SoftSelect Systems "Requirements Builder" tool.
Describe how it works to establish user system requirements
and identify candidate software system vendors that "best" satisfy
the requirements. Outline the process for proceeding
to a software system selection decision and the costs
for MTES services and the SoftSelect Software Selection
Report.
STEP
2
Complete company profile and Executive Questions set.
Assist as required to interpret questions and clarify
choice and weighting of responses.
STEP
3
Complete
review of "Requirements Builder" generated
User Requirements. Assist as required to interpret
questions and clarify client choice and weighting of
final responses. Submit client data to SoftSelect for
processing and Software Selection Report.
STEP
4
Review
Software Selection Report with client to enable client
to interpret results and choose "candidates
list" from the ten systems that are identified in the
Report. Instruct client to try to limit choices to
those that best support their needs (preferably fewer
than five).
STEP
5
Client
sends introductory letter to "candidates list" asking
each to state system capabilities for "unmet" critical,
high and medium requirements (provided as part of the
SoftSelect report). It may be possible to eliminate
some vendors based upon responses to these letters.
STEP
6
Client sends follow-up letters requesting more detailed
responses concerning cost, support, technology, training,
demonstrations, list of users, etc. Request preliminary
quotation for system and associated technical support
and training. Much of this information is available
on vendor Internet sites. However, at this point it
is good to establish direct contact with vendors expressing
interest in their product.
STEP
7
Construct
a selection matrix to further reduce "candidates
list" to a more manageable "short list" (two to three
vendors). Arrange for system demonstrations for the "short
list." Develop demonstration requirements for critical
features, functionality and business scenario.
STEP
8
Have "short list" vendors
conduct on-site system demonstrations
STEP
9
Obtain firm quotations and user reference list from
final competing vendors. Call or go to user sites to
survey (MTES supplied list of questions) their experiences
with software systems.
For additional links, see the Useful
Links section
of this web site.
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