Finding candidates.
WHERE TO LOOK
Industry peers using something comparable Trade associations Independent analyst material Vendor directories Local implementation partners
WHY PEERS MATTER MOST
They have your constraints and have made the decision.
WHAT TO ASK THEM
What they chose What they would choose again What went wrong What it actually cost
WHY THAT LAST QUESTION
Published pricing rarely reflects reality.
WHAT TO BE CAUTIOUS OF
Vendor-sponsored comparisons Review sites where placement is paid Recommendations from parties earning commission
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT EACH CANDIDATE
Whether it serves businesses of your size Whether it serves your industry Whether it handles local requirements Whether support is available in your time zone Financial stability of the vendor
WHY VENDOR STABILITY MATTERS
Systems outlive vendors, and abandonment is costly.
HOW MANY TO SHORTLIST
Three, typically.
WHY NOT MORE
Evaluation is expensive, and more candidates rarely improve the decision.
WHAT TO ELIMINATE EARLY
Anything failing a must-have requirement.
WHAT TO RESIST
Extending the list because a vendor was persuasive.
