Evaluation.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
What problem it solves Whether it does what you need, not what is demonstrated What it costs at your scale, and as you grow Who administers it How you would leave
THE DEMONSTRATION POINT
Demonstrations show the service performing ideally.
Test with your own data, at your own scale, on your own connection.
WHAT TO TRIAL
The actual work you would do with it.
WHAT TO INVOLVE
The people who will use it.
A tool chosen without them is a tool nobody uses.
WHAT TO CHECK
Support quality and hours Whether it integrates with what you already use Whether it works acceptably on your connection
WHAT TO ASK ABOUT
Data export Uptime history Breach notification Contract terms and notice periods
WHAT TO AVOID
Adopting during a sales conversation Committing to a long term before trialling
WHAT TO DECIDE BEFOREHAND
What would make you reject it.