Buying Packaged Software? – Caveat Emptor!

A guide to assist people along the path of software package selection, helping them avoid the pitfalls (including over‐enthusiastic salesmen) is presented. Guidelines to follow are: make sure that what you intend doing is compatible with your company′s strategic goals and plans; conduct a short feasibility study to create first estimates of scope of the project, timescales and costs; define requirements in sufficient detail for potential suppliers to give an accurate assessment of all the costs involved. Function, performance and environment should all be defined; involve all the users in agreeing this statement of requirements; identify suitable potential suppliers; prepare and issue an invitation to tender; evaluate responses against your requirements and reduce the list of potential suppliers until you are left with one. And when unsure about any part of the process – get professional help!