Have you found that while your business has continued to grow and evolve, that you are using the same system which has not kept up? Making a change is not a small decision, so there are certain things you have to take into consideration:

1. Make the First Time Stick

If you don't have time to do it right the first time, when are you going to have time to redo it? Make sure the solution you are to invest in is going to grow with you. Any way you look at it, this process is going to require a lot of work - why do it now and then have to do it again in 5 years?

2. Know Who You're Working With

A project like this is paramount to business processes you rely on. Why trust this to a software reseller that you do not feel 100% comfortable with? It's a good idea to find a company who wants to work with you, sees you as a partner in the process. We believe this gives the reseller some ownership in the project and will work alongside you to ensure the implementation's success.

3. Ask For Directions

Have you ever committed to working with a company or bought a piece of software that as time wore on, was moving in a direction that did not parallel your own? Find out what the future plans are of both the reseller you are working with as well as the software developer. Find out if the company you are looking to invest in continually invests in itself. You want to purchase a piece of software that will keep up with technology.

4. Are You Integrated?

If you rely on multiple systems to manage inventory, commissions, discounts, jobs or projects, grants or funding sources, it may make sense for you to investigate integrating them all together. This can prove to be a significant source of both efficiency and data integrity improvements.

5. How Do I Do That?

With any new system, you are going to need to be trained. What kind of training does the vendor you are looking at offer? Is it personalized to your business, one on one and done in a schedule that makes sense for you and your business (remember, you still have a business to run during the implementation process!)? Does the reseller you are looking at have references? Have they done implementations with companies similar to yours? And possibly most important, what type of support do they provide after the sale? This is a company that is going to (hopefully) spend a lot of time getting to know you and how your business runs; don't you want to take advantage of that knowledge down the road as you receive support?

Any way you shake it, this is an important and far reaching business decision. For more information, we invite you to contact us for your complimentary copy of The Essential Guide, a 72-page guide designed to assist you in selecting business software.

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