|
|
|
|
Systems Selection and Evaluation FAQ
How are you different than other people calling themselves IT Consultants ? We are Certified Management Consultants and Chartered Accountants. Our background is mostly in the professional accounting firm environment, and have had exposure to many different industries. We follow an effective and proven methodology. We have a background of over 20 years experience. We have a strong network of strategic alliances, and a reputation for integrity. Back to TopWhy do I need to do a requirements analysis? Nothing is worse than spending a lot of time and money, and then finding out that the system does not do what you expected. There is also government assistance available for this purpose. See Methodology. Doing a good needs analysis can save you a lot of headaches down the road. Back to TopCan't I just choose a package myself ? Be careful. Most vendors will only tell you about the strengths of their programs, and not the weaknesses. Demos are designed to highlight the advantages. Another mistake that many people make is to focus on the products and technology, instead of the evaluating important functionality of the system and people who will be implementing it. This can make all the difference. Back to TopIf the system is easy to use, why do I have to spend time and money on training. This is one of the most overlooked areas, and is extremely important. Lack of training can result in the system being setup or used improperly. This can make a big difference. Also, there are some important tax incentives from the Quebec government which you should make use of. Back to TopShould I be looking at a generic solution, or one that was developed for my industry ? It depends on how specialized your business is and what is available. There are advantages and disadvantages to both alternatives, which we could discuss. Back to TopHow can you be objective if you have strategic alliances with Vendors? Here is our Philosophy - No one is completely objective. If they are, then they probably don't have much experience implementing real products in real life business situations. How can they give credible recommendations? The other extreme is selling only one product, and trying to make it work for everyone. "When all you have is a hammer, then everything starts to look like a nail". We follow the "best of breed" or Toolkit approach, which is somewhere in between. We will tell you which vendors we have alliances with. It is our job to point out the strengths and weaknesses of each solution, so that you can make an informed decision. The final decision is up to you. Back to TopWhat kind of budget should I have for this project ? It really depends on a lot of factors such as requirements, size of business etc. Have a look at the market survey document to get a general idea of the different levels. Keep in mind that the cheapest alternative is not necessarily the best. You have to consider the hidden costs as well as the hard costs of software, hardware and services. You usually get what you pay for. Back to TopThis is usually not a realistic option for most companies. It would require more than double the work, and the new system is often quite different than the old one. (so it is difficult to compare) That is why it is so important to do thorough testing, and use proper cut off and balancing procedures before going live on the new system. Back to TopCan you convert my data to the new system? It depends on the circumstances. Sometimes it makes sense, and sometimes it doesn't. Back to TopI have a custom Order entry system. Can I integrate it with my new accounting system? Some systems make this easier than others. We would have to evaluate the situation to see if it would be feasible. Back to TopTake a look at the Market survey to get an idea of some of the differences. There are also systems designed for specific industries called vertical market solutions. Back to TopSoftware and development costs are quoted on a fixed price basis. Consulting services are estimated based on an hourly or per diem rate which depends on the type of work, and the number of hours involved. We send billing information by e-mail on a weekly basis, so there are no surprises. If we feel that more time is required than we originally estimated, we will let you know and you can decide if you want to continue or not. Services like web hosting and domain name registration can be paid for on-line by credit card, or by cheque if you prefer. Back to Top |
Send mail to fred@fblauer.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
