Threaded throughout various posts within my Blog history are tips on what to look for in software worth investing in. Because criteria are different for every buyer it’s virtually impossible to truly develop a global list. But like many things in life and business there are some things to look for that should be considered regardless of specific business requirements.

Therefore, in this post, I want to share a standard criteria list, a few thoughts, and receive from you criteria that you deem important before making a selection and writing a check.

User-friendliness – often defined by # of clicks, first impressions, user interface (GUI)
Ease-of-Setup (aka, implementation) – reduces consulting costs, quick up-time and ROI
Accessibility – can we get to data easily and when we need it?
Scalable (grow as we grow) – modules, addons, customizability
Affordability – only the buyer can truly define this requirement
User-defined Reporting – ODBC compliant, report writer, compliance
Security and Reliability – protect data, minimize downtime
Support (reliable, experienced) – user forums, knowledgebase, webcasts, upgrades

Buyers need to choose software that suits their specific needs and system requirements. This needs to be done carefully as a wrong choice would result in increased work and possibly a bad investment. Looking over your shoulder or feeling regret post-purchase are feelings no decision maker wants to experience. Often, a software purchase leaves folks feeling – betrayed, misled, manipulated, etc. Establishing clearly defined criteria, as simple as those above or granular to your specific system requirements, takes a lot of time and skill but is absolutely essential for good stewardship with business revenue or donor dollars.

What do you look forward when trying to find software that meets your needs and budget?

How do you prioritize your selection criteria?

What did you learn from your last software selection, purchase?

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