Vendor Evaluation Guide.

Sources: TechnologyEvaluation.com White Paper

When it comes to strategic technology acquisition, mistakes can be costly.

Hard Facts:

* 80% of enterprise-level technology evaluations run over time and over budget.

* 50% of eventual technology implementations don't meet functionality and cost expectations.

Failings in the technology selection process can be mitigated with a structured and repeatable process that prioritizes evaluative criteria. Check out this summary of such a model developed by TechnologyEvalution.com (free registration required).

 
     Criteria                What it Means ...          Weight 
 
      Product         What the product actually          25% 
   Functionality      does in terms of functions and 
                      processes. 
 
      Product         Architecture and environment       15% 
    Technology        in which the product can run. 
 
   Product Cost       Both initial acquisition and       10% 
                      longer term total cost of 
                      ownership. 
 
 Corporate Service    Ability to provide                 20% 
    and Support       implementation services and 
                      ongoing support. 
 
Corporate Viability   Financial and management           20% 
                      strength of the vendor. 
 
Corporate Strategy    Timeline plan of how the           10% 
                      vendor will develop, sell, and 
                      support the product. 
 
     Criteria                 Things to Watch for ... 
 
      Product         Often ...