Software Acquisition/RFP Creation
Our clients are focused on their customers’ needs and not on evaluating software purchases. Management information software packages represent significant investment. The lack of a structured and objective evaluation methodology can easily result in an organization purchasing a software solution that does not best meet the organization’s requirements, is difficult to implement, and ends up costing more initially and throughout the life of the software.
At Weidenhammer, we have years of experience in assisting clients in the selection of software applications. Our experience has lead to the development of a proprietary and proven methodology for software selection that is independent of both vendor and platform. We have successfully applied this methodology to numerous industries.
Our objective, as an advocate for the client, is to provide a process that will uncover all of the information needed to make an informed decision. All evaluation processes are based on validated and prioritized organizational requirements that consider software, hardware, infrastructure, business fit, technology fit, and vendor viability.
Our Proven Methodology
- Develop a prioritized list of organizational requirements by interviewing all management personnel to understand their functional requirements.
- Select a list of possible vendors that provide software solutions meeting the requirements.
- Reduce the list of possible vendors to four or five best candidates.
- Manage the Request For Information (RFI) Process.
- Request the remaining vendors address each requirement in writing (RFI specific to the solution).
- Compile a summarized comparison of the responses.
- Develop a “Vendor Fact Sheet” Request for Information (RFI) to collect all relevant vendor data.
- Compile a summarized comparison of the RFI responses.
- Develop scripted software demonstration scenarios to be used by the finalist vendors.
- Schedule and manage the demonstrations.
- Develop a user reference check questionnaire and contact organizations for each software package being investigated (organizations that exhibit similar organizational characteristics as our clients).
- Compile a summarized comparison of the reference check responses.
- Identify organizations for site visits, and schedule and manage the visits.
- Request “best effort” quotations from the final list of vendors.
- Compile a summarized comparison of the vendor quotation responses.
- Facilitate discussions within the selection team in order to develop a consensus as to the overall favorite.
- Negotiate the purchase of the selected software at extremely favorable contract terms (typically 25%-50% of the original quote).
Issues Resolved
We know that you are faced with difficult issues.
- You have difficulty documenting your requirements in an objective manner (vendor independent).
- You believe that you cannot reconcile divergent internal interests without outside help.
- You lack process knowledge or experience in selecting an enterprise application software package.
- You lack personnel with available time to manage the process of selecting an enterprise application software package.
- You believe that the addition of a third party will add needed credibility to the software selection process.
We can help ease your pain.
- The best practice evaluation and selection process will assure that the best solution is selected for the unique needs of the organization.
- We assure that the solution can realistically be implemented by the organization, and that the software, implementation services and maintenance have been purchased at competitive prices.
- The Weidenhammer solution allows the customer’s personnel to continue to perform day-to-day activities while maintaining full decision ownership and buy-in.
- The time required to make a software selection is minimized through our organized and structured approach.
