| 5.
Choose a software vendor |
| Now that you've reviewed
the various accounting software possibilities, it's time
to make a choice. It's important to realize that you're
not only selecting an accounting system-you're choosing
a company as well. |
| Previously
we'd touched on what to look for in a software company.
Here is a more in-depth look at the factors to consider
when choosing a software vendor to use. |
| A
Large installed base |
| How many organizations
through out the country are currently using the company's
software? How many organizations around the world are
using their software? How many resellers do they have? |
| If the company
you're considering has a large installed base of current
users, it's an obvious sign that they're probably doing
something right. People and organizations vote with their
checkbooks; a popular product is a good sign that a company
is stable and customer-friendly. |
| A large installed base
also has a second benefit: third-party software manufacturers
will be more likely to offer add-on software, worth-while
utilities, product training and other benefits that you
can utilize once you install the software. |
| Frequent
updates |
| Good software suppliers
update their software frequently. They also make bug fixes
available quickly and easily to resellers and customers.
Before you make a purchase, find out if the software publisher
has a maintenance program in place that gives you access
to updates as they become available. |
| An
upgrade path |
| This is similar to scalability
mentioned earlier. A good software company invests heavily
in engineering and develops new product features and enhancements
regularly. They stay abreast of new technologies and make
sure their customers do too, particularly those customers
with a quickly growing business. |
| A software upgrade-where
you move to a similar but more powerful product-can give
your company flexibility as it grows. Software upgrades
also are desirable as they often cost far less than the
retail price of the full program. Imagine purchasing a
new car a year ago, and then seeing this year's model
and wanting some of the new features. You can't have those
new features-unless you purchase the new mode! A good
software manufacturer, however, will provide product upgrades
at reasonable prices or as part of a yearly service agreement. |
| A
good technical support team |
| How many people
are in technical support? |
| How quickly
do they take calls from customers? |
| What are their
hours of operation? |
| What options
are available for after-hours questions or concerns? |
| What charges
or service plans are involved? |
