The Importance of
Software Selection
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Next to your investment in hardware, the purchase of software is one of the most
important decisions you will make. Select the right software and you will have tools
to manage today's business environment, and support business needs in the future.
Select the wrong software and you will not realize the full ROI from this investment. |
Our Approach to Software Selection
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At The Systems Workshop we
believe a successful software selection process includes the following Critical Success
Factors:
- The selection process must have a business focus:
How well do the candidate software packages satisfy the functionality required in the
business today, and expectations for the future.
- Strong user involvement: Your user
community knows the business, and the strengths and weaknesses of your current systems.
Involving users in the selection process will not only insure the right software is
selected, it will also facilitate the implementation as the users have had a "buy
in" to the process.
- Start with a blank slate: In the end,
your current software may prove to be the best fit for the business. However, the
selection process should start with a blank slate and examine all appropriate software
alternatives. Let the best software win!
- Executive Champion: During the course
of the selection and implementation of the software package there are bound to be issues
that require decisions by the organization's executive team. A member of this team
needs to be appointed "project champion" to facilitate resolution of these
issues at the executive level.
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Functionality Matrix - Heart of the
Selection Process
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The heart of the software selection process is
developing a Functionality Matrix. These matrices identify functionality required in
each area of the business, and the weight users assign to the importance of each
function. The Matrices are used when evaluating the candidate software packages to
insure that an "apples-to-apples" comparison is made. To "kick start" the process, The Software Workshop
has a number of baseline Functionality Matrices for key operating areas in your
organization, including Sales and Marketing, Manufacturing, Finance and Human
Resources. We start the selection process by fine-tuning these baseline matrices to
fit your organization's specific needs. |
How we can help
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The Systems Workshop offers a
range of software selection services. This includes:
- Identifying the core business needs
- Developing a detailed requirements definition
- Preparing the Functionality Matrices
- Preparing a Request for Information/Request for Proposal
- Identifying potential software vendors
- Participating in the evaluation process, including vendor
demonstrations and due diligence
- Managing the implementation
We can help with each of these steps, or just a few - the
client selects the level of involvement depending on business needs, budget and available
resources. |
The Role of Business Process Re-engineering
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Selecting a new software package presents an
opportunity to change current business processes to take advantage of the functionality
the software provides. Many packages incorporate "best practice"
methodologies in how they deliver functionality. Part of the implementation process
should critically examine current business processes to see if they are still appropriate
in light of the new software functionality, and recommend how the processes should change
to take advantage of them. The Systems Workshop can use an
interactive "Brown Paper" Process to facilitate the review
process. |
Our Experience
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The Systems Workshop has
experience in selecting and implementing the following applications:
- Sales and Marketing
- Manufacturing, including Inventory Control, Production
Planning and Shop Floor Reporting
- Distribution
- Finance
- Human Resources
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Highlights
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Selecting the right software will
insure you have the best tools for today's business environment - and tomorrow's.
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Software selection must have a
strong business focus.
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Involve users at every step of the
selection process.
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Functionality Matrices can insure
candidate software packages are evaluated on an "apples-to-apples" basis.
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Successful software selection
projects have multiple phases including requirements definition, preparation
of the RFP, vendor demonstrations and selection.
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Implementing a new applications
package presents an opportunity for "business re-engineering" to take advantage
of the "best practices" the software supports.
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A senior member of the executive
team should be appointed "project champion" to help resolve any management
issues related to the software selection and implementation. |
Case Study
- Global HR Software Selection
"Fast
Track" Consulting
Contact
Us for more information
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