Devoted to purchasing, purchasing agents, and all things related

If you've been following my entries here for List Week on Know More Media, then you'll notice I changed the titled of this entry to "buying" rather than "managing" because I have not officially been a software commodity manager, but I have created RFP's for software and saw the RFP process through from conception to contract execution and maintenance.

Here are 7 thing I learned about buying software:

1. Software sales reps are the most aggressive I have seen in any commodity.

2. Sales reps will impose proposal expiration dates for the pricing.  Buyers should not accept these dates as they are based solely on the reps' sales booking periods.  Software prices are not at the mercy of market fluctuations as corrugated or chemicals pricing are.

3. Employees who will actually be using the software, not just executive decision makers,  should be part of the vendor selection team.

4. Many users have no problem saying they don't like the current software, but can't articulate what they would like to see different from a new system.

5. Training details should be spelled out in the contract including, who will perform training, where will it take place, and who will bear the expense.

6. Buyers should get the "sure, it can do that..." promise in writing and confirmed by a technical contact from the vendor.  The sales rep's word is not good enough.

7. The RFP should take into account not only the current needs of the company, but the projected business goals and volume for the next couple years.  A software package that can expand as the business does is most desirable.

Have you bought software during your Procurement career?  Send your Top 7 List to PurchaseRealm@ComprehensiveAdvice.com and I will share it with my readers.