Criteria for Selecting Solution

What are the criteria of selecting any solution? Are there any guidelines which can define a particular criterion or at least define some sort of borderline guidance for the type of system required? There are several guidelines throughout this site which ensure that the decision you make for your new system is appropriate, there are some guidelines which can certainly help you make the right decision. But remember, the decision will be based upon your requirements and the functionality you require from the solution. Nonetheless, the decision is ultimately your own to make and we can only be there to guide you should you need it.

There are a variety of points which you must consider when deciding upon your new solution.

• Total Cost of Ownership
• Implementations Difficulties
• Usage Difficulties
• Hardware Requirement
• Growth of The Solution
• Local Support
• Developers Background

Total Cost of Ownership

The total cost of the solution itself, with the addition of the implementation expenses as well as the intangible losses, in which the most important is your TIME, we suggest that you should have realistic deadlines and milestones timeline defined at the very beginning of the implementation.

The total cost of ownership should then be calculated, keeping in mind all the above factors. A word of caution- As the deadlines usually vary-we suggest that if you are going for a complete transition then chose the time when the organization is in the slow season.

Should you transition at the end of your financial year? We do not recommend this as you are busy at your year end, closing the year, audits, etc. etc. we would rather do this in a slow period of the business.

Implementations

This is the most time consuming stage after you have successfully chosen the right solution and are ready to go forward with the implementation of the solution. The problems that can arise during the implementation of the solution in the organization can vary from the system requirements to the availability of the resources. Usually, the implications that can arise are the non-availability of the technical team at the organization. Or the people who will be using the system are busy with other tasks. To ensure a flawless and quick implantation someone in your organization must take ownership of the project so that there is one point of contact for the vendor, an implementation plan should be created by the vendor and understood by the customer. The schedule should be understood by both parties and should be strictly followed to ensure compatibility and success.

Usage

Now that your solution has been implemented, you need to be trained in using the system. Make sure that two companies are set up in the system a test company and the actual company; this gives employee's time to explore the new system using the test company without the fear of screwing up the live company. Go through each feature and functionality and check every module of the solution. Make the most of the training sessions - provided by the company; This is your right! You are paying for the sessions. You shouldn't ever hesitate to ask even the simplest question to the technical person, and Remember; - the only stupid question is the one which is not asked!

Hardware Requirements

Can I use the new system with the same old hardware? Do I have to buy additional hardware for the solution? Does my existing configuration match with the solution requirement? If this is the criteria then you have to add this as well in the budgeting process with the cost of the solution so that you can easily see the direct and indirect cost of the solution. These questions can once again be easily answered by a simply call to our representatives. If you feel that your current hardware will be unable to handle a modernized system, you must find out whether addition hardware is required and include it in your budget.

Growth of the Solution

You should also make sure that the system is scalable and adaptable to any added features and any further requirements that can and may arise with time. If the system cannot support any changes and is rigid with one time customization, we suggest that you should look for the one which can cater to your demands with time and growth of your organization.

Local Support

You should also look for the degree of the support with respect to the location at which your organization is residing. If there is a local support available, then look at the degree of expertise that the firm holds regarding the solution. If you have multiple branches, then look for the local support in the respective areas of the branches having said this most support can be achieved by logging on to the system over the internet.

Developer's Background

You should also check the history of your vendors and understand what kind of business success they have. The interviewing of the vendor's customers presently using the system may also be a useful method of determining the effectiveness of the system.