Software / SAAS Purchasing is a given these days if businesses want to stay competitive.

Firms of all sizes and from all sectors use software to optimize their processes. Too often, however, buying technology products and services from vendors for employees fails to consider the cultural fit of the firm. 

That’s where this step-by-step advice guide for the purchase of software or saas comes into play.

Step 1: Know What Software or SAAS Your Business Needs

Before looking at vendors, you must define precisely what the challenge is you’re trying to solve or what your particular needs are. Perhaps your current HR technology needs an upgrade or you are trying to find something that automates and digitizes inefficient processes. Maybe new customer-relationship management software is required to offer better customer service and branding.

More often than not, the problems you’re facing may be the result of inept processes and malfunctioning software. Firmly determining these problems is all about clarifying these factors. Take the time to analyze them with the affected teams to understand the circumstances from their perspective and discuss the importance of resolving the problems.

The initial stage in this process is to approach a small number of key users to inform them why these new tools are needed and what goals they will fulfil. These users can then be utilized to gauge the readiness of this project and decide whether to proceed or not.

Step 2: Develop Shared Buy-in Among the Stakeholders

If you own a business, it’s simple to figure out the names of the individuals who will play a role in the company’s success.

Once you’ve identified all the stakeholders, put together a purchasing team using software makers from each stakeholder group. These individuals evaluate software vendors and also handle making sure that the business’ computing resources can support the new technology during the software purchase process.

Step 3: Establish Your Budget

Before placing an order or making a request for payment for your software product, review your finances to determine whether you have the cash to cover your needs. You will probably need to bring your spending elsewhere in line, but fitting your purchase into your individual budget is the easiest option.

Consider also the total cost of ownership, both direct and indirect. over the software’s entire lifecycle, like;

• licensing costs

• setup and maintenance fees

• costs for integration with existing systems

Step 4: Research Possible Vendors to Purchase Software / SAAS

It’s possible to use a variety of tactics to find and research the best software options and vendors. You can ask for referrals from other corporations that are similar to your own. Or perhaps you turn to the variety of information available on the web.

People who have painful experiences typically discuss the negative aspects of those experiences online. And on the flip side, people also leave good reviews based on positive experiences.  Getting this kind of feedback will help you instantly eliminate certain suppliers from your list.

Step 5: Evaluate Your Shortlist of Software / SAAS Vendors

Keep in mind that you’re focusing on what is most important when investigating vendors. Remember that the problem you identified in step one and the desires you identified in step two still drive you when you’re considering the merits of potential vendors.

It may be helpful to consider suppliers based on four factors:

• Cost/pricing

• Capability

• Communication

• Character

Step 6: Ask For Demos

Software demos give you a chance to evaluate software features, speak to the vendor about their product’s user-friendliness, and examine how each company plans to work with your corporation. Before arranging a demo, it is generally recommended to speak with the vendor to confirm that your business is a suitable match for their products.

One of the best ways to ensure the value of the demonstration is to overcome the urge to get fascinated by the seller’s sales pitch. Present the vendor with a real issue you are facing and then inquire how they could help. You could also consider asking the vendor to explain how it could address any future difficulties.

This step is a very essential step in the process of software or saas purchasing.  Make sure you don’t skip it.

Step 7: Make Purchase Decision

With all of the info you’ve collected during the above steps of the software purchasing process, you can now come to a conclusion as to whether the solution is the ideal one for you. It is vital at this stage that you manage your emotions and not let your personal issues interfere with your decision-making process, as it will allow you to make the ideal selection.

Conclusion: 7 Steps To Software / SAAS Purchasing: A guide for SMEs 

If you fall into the small medium enterprise business category, the above guide should give you a firm ground to start.  Remember, Rome was not created in a day, and so, your software or saas buying process will not be perfect from the get go!  Tweak it to suit your environment and situation.  Now, let’s go get some software!