Question

List five criteria you would use in choosing a software vendor and why you would choose these criteria.

Answer 1

Criteria for choosing a software vendor are discussed below:-

1. Software provider's certificates and credentials                  

While selecting software provider, one needs to look into his background. Since when they are in the business, what were their top projects or who are their top clients. Whether they have a good engineering team who will provide timely solution. Whether they have required legal certifications etc.

2. Customer’s Feedback

We can ask software provider to give few names of their customers. And can take relevant feedback from customers like how long they are associated with the vendor, vendor’s knowledge and responsiveness in case of urgency etc. Also it is advisable to do online review of vendor.

3. Scalability of vendor.

Scalability and customization offered by solution provider should be taken into consideration. If our company grows in size and reaches new markets, the software vendor should be able to support us both in terms of size and geographical reach as changing software vendor year on year involves cost and loss of business.

4. Pricing

Software should be appropriately priced. Also check for any hidden or additional costs involved for personal training, annual maintenance etc. Also account for per year increase in price.

5. Demo

A vendor should provide demo, trail and test runs of software solutions to its prospective partners. A trial period of at least 30 days is expected to evaluate vendor and software compatibility with our business process