Software is becoming essential for businesses to keep up in the modern, fast-paced business world of the 21st century. An estimated 38 percent of businesses in the United States run almost entirely on software as a service. It’s easy to see why your business must pick commercial software vendors to stay ahead of competitors.
Identifying your need for software upgrades is half the battle when growing your business. Finding the best options for software vendors is where the real work begins. A transparent and fair vendor is an excellent asset that will keep your company moving in the right direction.
Luckily, your search has led you to this helpful guide to learn more about what you should look for when searching for a commercial software vendor for your operations. Keep reading for some valuable pointers today!
In this article
Identify Your Business Needs
Finding the right commercial software vendor begins with knowing your business’s needs. Finding solutions is challenging if you don’t understand the areas your company lacks. The best software vendor will not know where to begin with helping you if you don’t see the pain points you face.
Identify what you want or need before starting the shopping process. Get feedback from your employees about what software can help with their daily tasks. Find out what they don’t like about the existing tools they have for their jobs.
You’ll have plenty of valuable information to present to your options for software vendors. It’s up to them to find a solution based on your company’s needs. Knowing your needs gives the best odds of solving these pain points in the long run.
Examine Their Credentials
You don’t want to work with just any commercial software vendor. The wrong vendor will set your business back and cost significant money. Vet your options for software vendors by checking their credentials before proceeding with the shopping process.
Learn how long they’ve been in business and determine if they’re expanding their operations. It’s also a smart move to find out how extensive their customer support team is. You don’t want to find out that they lack customer support associates when you’re facing extended downtimes and upset customers.
Another area to dive into is their development team. Pick commercial software vendors that are dedicated to improving their software and operations. You can count on regular software updates from a trustworthy vendor.
Read Online Reviews
Customer feedback is a must-have information when you’re exploring options for software vendors. The internet is your best resource to learn about past client experiences working with this vendor. Avoid a vendor with a pattern of negative reviews and a history of failing to resolve customer issues.
The best software vendors have solid reviews and customer service. Google and the Better Business Bureau will give you the information you need to decide on your commercial software features and needs. You’ll find the best field service management software to reach your company’s potential.
Getting past client referrals from the software vendor is another step to take if you’re worried about making the wrong decision. Ask these past clients about the pros and cons of their experience. Find out how long they’ve worked with the software vendor, and ask about things they’d change.
Be Upfront About Fees
Most software vendors charge additional fees on top of what you’re paying for the software. Be upfront with your options for software vendors when asking about these additional fees. Look for instances of these additional fees popping up when looking through the contract.
Some vendors will try to charge you more for in-person training, software onboarding, and maintenance fees. Look for provisions that make it legal for the vendor to increase maintenance fees over the contract’s life. Another critical factor is your right to cancel the contract if you’re unhappy.
Ask for a Trial Period
Many consumers would never purchase a car without taking it for a test drive. Use that same mentality when you’re getting ready to select commercial software vendors. Before purchasing, ask for a chance to try out the software programs you’re interested in.
This free trial period allows your team to try out the software and find out if you can solve the pain points you’re facing. Look for things you like and don’t like during the test run.
Learn Their Security Policies
Data breaches and cyber-attacks are increasing, and a weak security policy could put your vendor or your business at risk. Ask about the security measures your software vendor uses to keep your data and customers safe from hackers and thieves. Your business is only as secure as the vendor you’re working with.
Failing to ask hard questions about security policies could cost you millions of dollars. It’s a necessary question to ask, and you shouldn’t pick commercial software vendors until you’ve confirmed that they take security seriously.
Get Multiple Quotes
Reading online reviews is an excellent way to narrow down your options, but you should get quotes from each of your finalists to make a decision. Having multiple options makes it much easier to find an option that fits your needs and your budget. It also opens the door to potential negotiations to get the best deal possible.
Combine the quotes you receive with the pros and cons of each vendor to find the best match. You could leave thousands of dollars on the table if you fail to do your due diligence when shopping for new software.
Get Ready to Pick Commercial Software Vendors Today
Your competitors won’t wait around for you to pick commercial software vendors, so it’s best to get started ASAP. Determine your pain points by talking with your employees, and check the credentials of your options for software vendors.
Use online reviews and cost comparisons to narrow your options and get multiple quotes from your finalists. Most importantly, prioritize customer support, security, and regular software updates.
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