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Top 10 Criteria for Selecting Software
As part of a study by Deloitte & Touche, businesses looking for an accounting system were asked to name the top ten criteria they used for their selection. Those who were buying their first accounting system were tallied separately from businesses buying their second. Responses were ranked in order of importance.


First-Time Buyers:	Second-Time Buyers:

1. Price of Software	1. Level of support provided by reseller
2. Ease of Implementation	2. Developer’s track record of performance
3. Ease of Use	3. Ability to fit to business
4. Ability to fit to business	4. Growth potential
5. Functionality	5. Price of Software
6. Ability to work with existing hardware	6. Quality of documentation
7. Growth potential	7. Functionality
8. Level of support provided by reseller	8. Ease of Use
9. Quality of documentation	9. Ease of Implementation
10. Developer’s track record of performance	10. Ability to work with existing hardware


Observations:

One would think second-time buyers would be "smarter", if for no other reason than they have the experience first-time buyers lack. It stands to reason their rankings would be a better guide to what really matters when researching accounting system options. Therefore, the key points that surface:

► A quality consultant is a critical factor – after all, anyone can sell the product, but can just anyone support your needs?

► The developer's track record is much more apparent to firms in their second implementation. On the surface, many accounting packages look alike, but the years of development invested into a product is critical to the long-term success and growth of a product.

► Price, though important, is not the best measure of a system's value. Are you willing to place your company's future in the hands of the lowest bidder?


Source: Study conducted by Deloitte & Touche, As quoted by CPA Online