Putting Your Customers' Needs First

o Develop your own software internally (assuming you have resources/expertise) • Pros ▪ You can develop software solution to do exactly what you want it to do to best serve the customers and end users needs ▪ You still must compete with other departments for internal IT resources, but you ONLY must convince your OWN company that it is in their best interests to develop the software and/or enhancement ▪ User Training should be easiest as specs and development were all performed internally • Cons ▪ Limited IT resources ▪ Time to develop the software, test and install it ▪ Some software applications might best be performed with canned software o Pay an outside IT firm to develop software to your specifications • Pros ▪ Only route to go if you require custom software and do not have the internal IT resources ▪ They can likely give you software that precisely will do what you requested for your customer and end user • Cons ▪ Cost to develop the software is probably highest for this option ▪ You get exactly what you asked for; any errors or omissions or changes will result in higher costs and extended implementation time o Buy a canned software package • Pros ▪ Off the shelf software is readily available and can be installed quickly ▪ Initial cost may be lower, but there may be user, renewal and licensing fees ▪ Tech Support is usually available and part of the package cost • Cons ▪ Users must adjust their business process to how the software works ▪ Interfaces to other software packages you use may not be flawless ▪ Software bugs or fixes … you are at the mercy of the vendor ▪ Canned software solution may not mesh well with how your customers and end users prefer to operate ▪ You are only ONE of many customers for the canned software; so, timetable for any system enhancements you desire will be based upon the perceived needs and resources of the software company…not your customers’ needs and timetable ▪ Software may contain modules that are not used but still must be installed, supported and paid for