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Welcome to About Software for Business, your guide to buying software. My name is Sandra Parker and I am the marketing manager for an Internet start-up company. Not so long ago I was put in the position of buying some management software for our newly founded company. Being relatively new to the purchasing side of software, I found that there wasn't ONE comprehensive resource for the newbie. The sites that I did find had limited information. After my experience, I decided to create a site that included all the steps to buying software for business. It is my hope that this site will clear any confusion. Feel free to print out the checklist below.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to e-mail me at info@aboutsoftwareforbusiness.com.
Buying Software Checklist
Use this handy checklist to make sure you've covered the steps to buying software for your business.
Topic
#1: Research
 What’s the reason
for this software? Time management, organizational database, etc?
What are the necessary
features the software must have?
What are optional features
that could be useful?
How much is in the budget
for this software?
Once you have your initial
research done, make a list of the software titles that you found to be
of interest. Now, go through that list one by one and answer each
of the following questions for all of them.
Topic #2: Cost
Are there any
rebates available?
Will software increase
profitability?
Are you paying for other
features that aren’t necessary?
How much is the actual software?
How much are the individual
licenses? (See Licensing below)
Will you have to upgrade
systems to meet hardware requirements? (See Compatibility below)
Topic #3: Licensing
How many users/computers
do you need to license?
Is it possible for people
to double up?
How long is the license
good for? Forever, annually, monthly, etc?
Topic #4: Compatibility
What operating
systems does the software run on?
How much memory does
it require to run?
How much disk space
is required?
What speed processor
is optimal?
What operating systems
are on the office computers?
How much memory do they
have?
How big are the hard
drives?
What speed processors
are they running?
Do you have enough computers
that meet requirements to install?
Topic #5: Learning
Curve
Who needs to
use this software?
How difficult is it
to use and grasp all the important features?
How much will it cost
to train employees?
Will you have to outsource
training?
Are the time and resources
available?
Topic #6: Scalability
& Flexibility
Can the software
expand with your business?
Are more licenses available
for purchase?
Are there plug-ins and/or
add-ons that are available for purchase?
Is there a hierarchy
(basic, premium, deluxe) that you can upgrade to?
Topic #7: Purchasing
Software Online
Will you download
the software or have it mailed to you?
Is the vendor certified?
What do they charge
for shipping and handling?
 Are you buying the full
version or a demo?
Is the order form securely
encrypted?
Can you order offline
as well? Phone, fax, etc?
Topic #8: Purchasing
Software in Store
Are you purchasing
an old version and not the new one?
What is the store’s
return policy?
Is the store offering
any rebates?
Topic #9: Upgrades
Do you get free
upgrades?
Are the upgrades online
or mailed to you?
Do you get free patches?
Topic #10: Technical
Support
Is help available
by phone, e-mail, fax, or postal mail?
Are your questions responded
to in a timely manner?
Can you access technical
support 24 hours a day?
Is the support free?
Or is it paid per increment of time? Or per question?
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