In today’s increasingly digital age, it’s impossible to get ahead without investing in technology. As a result, worldwide IT spending is expected to reach $4.4 trillion this year, a 4.4 percent increase from 2021, according to Gartner.
Software accounts for a significant portion of that amount: Globally, software expenditures are projected to increase by 9.8 percent to a total of $674.9 billion this year. With the right programs and products, businesses can increase efficiency, boost productivity, improve the customer experience (CX) and stand out from the competition.
However, with so many business software suppliers flooding the market, it can be difficult to decide which one is the best choice for your company. As a business leader, how can you look past biased sales pitches and find the perfect match for your organization? It’s not as simple as picking the most popular provider, since you’ll want to select a software company that understands and meets your specific requirements.
If you’re wondering how to make sense of the crowded marketplace, these tips will help you find the supplier that makes the most sense for your business.
1. Define your needs and goals before you start shopping.
Before you begin reaching out to suppliers, list your requirements and strategic goals so you’re certain about what sort of software provider you’re seeking. For instance, maybe your company is growing, so you want a supplier that can scale their solution to match your workforce. Or maybe you’re a healthcare provider and subsequently must prioritize HIPAA compliance. Ultimately, you should know exactly what you need before you start looking.
2. Assess the provider’s stability.
Generally, larger companies that have a longer track record are more likely to last long-term and serve as a stable source of up-to-date software, according to the Information Age article “7 things to look for in a software vendor.” As a result, you should research how long the supplier has been around as well as the sizes of their workforce and client base.
3. Ask about their cybersecurity strategy.
In today’s world of increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks and non-stop data breaches, IT security can’t be an afterthought. Before you purchase and deploy any kind of business application, you should investigate the supplier’s security measures and ensure they will do everything in their power to safeguard your data, according to the SoftwarePundit article “What to Look for in a Software Vendor.”
4. Evaluate their support services.
Any software you deploy will inevitably need patching, upgrades and troubleshooting. Check out each supplier’s service level agreement, including details about response times and support, Information Age advises.
5. Talk to current clients within your industry.
It’s wise to ask the supplier if they already work with companies in your industry and then contact those organizations to get feedback on the provider and their software, according to the Forbes article “16 Expert Tips For Choosing The Best Software Vendor For Your Business.” If they don’t have any experience serving clients like you, that’s cause for concern.
6. Ask for demos.
There’s only so much you can learn from sales reps and promotional materials, Information Age states. Before you purchase any kind of business software, it’s prudent to test drive it so you can get a direct feel for its functionality.
7. Make the shopping around process easier by working with a trusted technology advisor.
Conducting all the research described above will take a significant amount of time and effort. If you’d like to streamline the process and get expert input on your decision, our trusted technology advisors can leverage their extensive experience working with IT solutions, our partner network, and access to advanced tools to quickly narrow down your options and produce objective comparison matrices showing how different suppliers stack up against each other.
With trusted advisors on your side, you can find your ideal business software supplier without having to invest a significant amount of time and money into the shopping process. With our price parity guarantee, you can also rest assured that working with us won’t cost you more than going directly to the solution provider.
To learn more and connect with our advisors, please call 877-599-3999 or email sales@stratospherenetworks.com.
