Benefits of Using a software consulting service

With the constant changes happening in today's software applications one should consider using a software consulting service to evaluate new software, and its fit with your current system, prior to making a purchase decision.

Just because a new software version has been released, that is not a compelling enough reason to risk disrupting your current stable state if the new version does not address some nagging shortcomings in your current system. Change without purpose is change, and to bear the expense and the inconvenience of upgrading to the latest and greatest version just because it is available is not a compelling enough reason to make a change.

A good software consulting service will help you to not make the mistake of undertaking an upgrade to your current system that is ultimately a net loss. When the benefits of the upgrade are weighed against the costs, one wants to make sure that there is more than just a change happening, you are going to want to see a legitimate improvement in total system performance as a result of the upgrade. Far too often, the impact of making a software upgrade has deleterious results when viewed in its entirety. At times the new software does not work properly with other existing programs, or the learning curve for the people using the new software is so steep that these is a significant initial drop in productivity.



Keeping in mind that there are costs associated with any alteration to your existing software package, a software consulting service will be cognizant of the fact that a software solution that saves seconds per transaction may not be worth the hours that have to be put in to upgrading the system and retraining employees. Good consultants will look at the total process from a before and after standpoint to make sure that the change makes sense, and money. Key areas that should be evaluated by any software consulting service are:

• Selection criteria
• Solution identification
• Vendor selection
• Timeline definition
• Total Cost of Ownership

Any complete analysis will ensure that you are getting the most value and highest return on investment from the software you select. Selection criteria and solution identification go hand in hand. It is critical that the process that is to be improved be identified and that the parameters, or deficiencies, in the current software system are dramatic enough to warrant taking on the additional expense. Think of this as identifying the ''What'' and the ''Why'' for considering making the upgrade in the first place.

A software consulting service will also be more knowledgeable in the various vendors that may offer different types of software solutions. Ensuring compatibility of any new program with your current system should be a key feature as one rarely wants to have to make a sweeping upgrade to numerous programs just to get one small problem resolved. Another important action item to put on the consultants to-do list is the development of a timeline, particularly if you are purchasing a custom software solution. The development of a timeline, with detailed development steps and milestones, answers the question ''When'' certain tasks need to be completed and when the entire project will be up and running.