As with any business decision, there are many things to consider when evaluating process manufacturing software.
We have seen solutions come and go over the years and are pleased to present some of the most frequently asked questions – and their answers – that we’ve heard in our 25+ years in the industry.
Keep in mind as you are reading, however, that many times the answer is “it depends.” It depends on your industry, on the size of your business, and on many other factors. These are relatively generic responses, but they’ll give you a good idea of what you’d be dealing with.
What are the most important factors when selecting software?
Business owners and senior level managers know how important selecting the right software is and are anxious to hear from people who have experience in the field they are investigating. At Oates & Company, we will normally answer this with a list of questions of our own!
- What is your primary objective in making a switch from your current software?
- What do you like most about your current software?
- What do you like least about your current software?
- What are the top three functions you’re looking for in new software?
- etc.
Then we would want demographic information – we need to know:
- In what industry segment do you consider yourself?
- Who is your target audience?
- How big is your company? (This includes number of employees, revenue, growth potential, etc.)
- How many users would be using the new software?
- What does your management structure look like?
We have learned that the more questions we ask, the better the final result!
How will you keep my project on track?
Most business managers who have been around for a while have either experienced or heard about software projects that go over budget and are not completed on time. At Oates & Company, we are very careful to fully assess your project before we even agree to take it on.
We are aware that a great level of detail and skill go into the successful implementation of software and once we have accepted a project, we are able to meet your high expectations and deliver what we promised – on time and on budget. We communicate frequently and honestly with the stakeholders throughout the entire project in order to avoid surprises on your end AND on our end.
Will you provide training for my employees?
Of course! We know that training is one of the most important parts of implementing a software system. What good will having a shiny, brand new software system be if no one knows how to use it? We know that a successful implementation depends on the cooperation of everyone involved.
What are my up front and ongoing costs?
Although we can’t answer this question in this FAQ blog because so many different things determine costs, we can tell you that we are very careful to explain all fees up front so that there will be no surprises. We can also assure you that our fees for implementation, consultation, licensing, maintenance, upgrades, etc. are all very fair.
Why should we choose you?
You should choose Oates & Company because we have been in business since 1988 and have over 350 satisfied clients.
For additional information about these questions or for answers to any other questions you may have, please contact us or call 336-230-0200.
We are Oates & Company, and we can help.
