10 key steps in selecting new Accounting, CRM, HR or Payroll systems
- Specify your requirements. Either brainstorm and work out what you need, or save yourself time by using Axia’s Accounting, CRM, HR, Payroll or HR+Payroll Checklists.
- Identify systems / software vendors. Check out the market, visit exhibitions, research the internet, talk to other users, create and issue an outline RFI/RFP.
- Review software details, vendor responses. Compare against outline requirements. Identify a short list of 3 or 4 potential vendors that meet your requirements.
- Attend system demonstrations with vendors. Confirm that the systems can meet your requirements. Reduce the list down to 2 or 3 preferred vendors with which to proceed further.
- Refine your new system design thoughts – from what you have seen and heard, and from your original ideas / requirements.
- Prepare and issue an extended RFI or RFP containing your detailed requirements to the preferred vendors. Carefully review and evaluate the responses.
- Undertake further investigations – of all areas / relevant aspects of the software. Test and prototype system software – especially for complex requirements. Examine other areas eg hardware, network, database, system performance.
- Attend detailed system demonstrations and meetings. Cover and resolve all points, issues and queries from the above with the preferred vendors.
- Reference site visits. Visit at least 3 reference sites (and phone 3 more) of the preferred vendors. Listen and learn from their experiences.
- Decision. From reviewing all the above information, it should be clear as to which system to purchase. Commence final negotiation, contractual and service level negotiations.