Software Selection

It identifies the best-fit solutions that align with your specific business requirements andsupport your improvement initiatives.

It also plays a crucial role in facilitating effective change management, fostering organisational acceptance and understanding.

A comprehensive selection process also supports strategic resource allocation, endorses project scoping and investments, and aligns with the overall business strategy.

Most importantly, it clarifies what’s important to you as a client and pinpoints a solution that best meets your unique needs.

The select and negotiate phase is comprehensive which starts with market research.

It involves:

• Defining evaluation and knock-out criteria
• Preparing and releasing Request for Proposals (RFP) documentation
• Evaluating proposals, shortlisting solutions and partners
• Facilitating demonstrations
• Conducting reference checks
• Engaging in contract negotiations.

The culmination of this phase results in the selection of your preferred solution and partner and negotiated costs to support its implementation.

SMC has structured the Select & Negotiate process into four distinct stages to ensure consistent practices across projects.

These stages are:

1. Market Research and Short-Listing
2. Detailed Evaluation
3. Selection
4. Negotiation

These stages follow a highly structured format, including a recommended process, tools, templates, and output deliverables, providing a comprehensive framework for effective decision making.

Stage 1 (Market Research and Short-Listing): SMC helps our clients develop the required documentation to go to market with a shortlist of two to three Vendors/ Partners .

Stage 2 (Detailed Evaluation): We evaluate that shortlist against their responses and prepare for detailed demonstrations

Stage 3 (Selection): SMC will work with the selection committee through system demonstrations and reference checks to choose a preferred solution.

Stage 4 (Negotiation): SMC will finalise the negotiation, utilising our market knowledge, to achieve an outstanding result for our client.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) encompasses all costs related to the acquisition, implementation, and management of a software solution. This is crucial for assessing Return on Investment (ROI).

It includes all potential expenditures that should be considered (training, project management, business readiness / change management, support and maintenance) to understand the full cost of the new system. This reduces the likelihood of hidden costs presenting during or after the implementation.

An implementation partner is a certified organisation certified by a software vendor. They specialise in assisting businesses with the delivery of new software or systems into their business.

They focus on the technical configuration and deployment of the solution and their expertise in specific software or technologies makes them crucial during the transition.

When evaluating a partner or vendor for implementation, it goes beyond assessing the functional and technical fit of the solution.

The evaluation should also consider factors such as the capabilities and experience of partners and vendors in that product and your industry, investment in product development, and their approach and methodology for implementing that solution.

Additionally, post-implementation support capabilities and options should be part of the evaluation.

Selecting a partner differs from choosing a vendor. For partners, the emphasis should be on capability and experience, as well as what IP they bring to the table, rather than focusing on the functional fit of the product.