Who does the work.
WHY THE PARTNER MATTERS MORE THAN THE PRODUCT
Most failures are implementation failures, not product failures.
WHAT TO ASSESS
Experience with this product Experience in your industry Experience with businesses your size Local presence Team continuity
WHY TEAM CONTINUITY MATTERS
The people who sell are frequently not the people who deliver.
WHAT TO ASK
Who specifically will work on this What their experience is Whether they will be available throughout
WHAT TO REQUEST
Names, and the ability to meet them.
WHAT TO ASSESS ABOUT METHOD
How they gather requirements How they handle change How they test How they train How they hand over
WHAT HANDOVER SHOULD INCLUDE
Documentation Training of your own administrators Access to configuration
WHY THAT LAST POINT
Dependence on the partner for every change is expensive and slow.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
What you can change yourselves.
WHAT TO BE CAUTIOUS OF
Partners recommending extensive customisation Partners with no local presence for support Very low quotes
WHY LOW QUOTES CONCERN
They indicate underestimated scope, which becomes change requests.
WHAT TO COMPARE
Not only price, but what is included.
