Technology Refresh need not be a pain!

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Is it Murphy’s law that every time we seek to refresh our technology we find our selves in a recession!?

There are a number of things to bear in mind when looking at a technology refresh: always carryout an options appraisal; what are your needs and where does the existing product fall short?
Once the gaps are identified go to the supplier and ask for upgrades that bring the installed product at par on servicing your needs/requirements. Should this route not bear fruit or the fruit has a price tag... look at alternatives.

When looking for alternatives do your research.. avail the power of Google, Bing and/or Yahoo. Visit software market places where you can see the supplier name and google them instead, an alternative to filling out any forms.... use the force.

When short listing options look for the essentials: is it provided on a true software as a service model? (is it web based with a subscription model that you can get out of at a months notice?) does the provider offer free trials? Is there a free option that you could use to trial the software for longer in a limited capacity? What about upgrades? is the tool a features over kill? could you implement it and start making savings within a short period of time? (the above is not a comprehensive list... do add a dash of common sense to it all)

Once you have a list, select a max of three providers that have a tool that addresses all or most of your needs.

Trial them, you may choose to pilot them all in one department or get buy in from different departments to run a wider trial. Put an end date to the trial, rule of thumb is two weeks as a minimum and four at max (in context - we are talking scheduling systems here people). Discuss the merits and demerits of each platform consider price versus functionality, support mechanisms, support response quality and time, get everyone’s opinion, keep it open, try to keep bias out of the room as much as possible. If you want to know more about evaluating software ... google it or if you have a specific need get in touch via www.ikonami.com

The cost of a technology refresh will be high if you do not shop around and go with the usual suspects or a complacent supplier. With more and more business applications being offered on a software as a service (SAAS) model technology refresh ought to be a cost saving and it is when you select the right service provider.

Here at ikonami we believe in the practice of software as a utility that ought to be accessible to and affordable for all. Imagine where the web would be without the likes of hotmail.com back in the days!

It is our aim to change the online room scheduling software marketplace, forever. AT-Venues™ is a software service accessible and affordable for all.... go and have a look for yourself... www.at-venues.com