Top 44 Chat Software (Feb 2023)

2023's Best 45 Chat Systems

Shlomi LaviShlomi Lavi / Feb 01, 2023

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1. Olark

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $29 per seat/month
  • Mar 19, 2022
Compare Olark Vs. Olark

Olark is a live chat software that can help users to engage customers in chat to build trust and boost sales. Users just have to install a JavaScript code in their website to setup this live chat solution. Olark was founded back in 2009 by Ben Congleton, Matt Pizzimenti, Roland Osborne and Z...


2. Pure Chat

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price: starts at $39 per month
  • Mar 21, 2022
Compare Pure Chat Vs. Olark

Pure Chat is a web based live chat solution for small and medium sized businesses. It offers such capabilities as assignment management, customizable branding, transfers and routing, and others. The software was designed and launched by Pure Chat Inc headquartered in Arizona, United States.


3. Chatra

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $17 per agent/month
  • Mar 21, 2022
Compare Chatra Vs. Olark

Chatra is a growing cloud-based CRM software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Chatra received a rating of 4.8 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1.5/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


4. WhosOn

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $33 per user/month
  • Mar 22, 2022
Compare WhosOn Vs. Olark

WhosOn is a growing cloud-based Website analysis software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. WhosOn received a rating of 4.1 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (2/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


5. BirdEye

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $3,000 per year
  • Mar 07, 2022
Compare BirdEye Vs. Olark

Birdeye is a cloud-based reputation management software that is designed to assist businesses in converting their customers into an influential marketing engine.


6. HeyBubble

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price: starts at $12 per agent/month
  • Jun 19, 2022
Compare HeyBubble Vs. Olark

HeyBubble is a growing cloud-based CRM software, it is designed to support small and medium size business. HeyBubble received a rating of 2.5 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


7. Visitlead

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $24 per month
  • Jun 18, 2022
Compare Visitlead Vs. Olark

Visitlead is a web based marketing and live chat solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers such capabilities as contact management, lead management, performance management, and others. The software was designed and launched by Visitlead headquartered in Austria.


8. SnapEngage Live Chat

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $16 per user/year
  • Jun 25, 2022
Compare SnapEngage Live Chat Vs. Olark

SnapEngage Live Chat is a web based live chat and customer support solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers such capabilities as agent scheduling, assignment management, customizable branding, and others. The software was designed and launched by SnapEngage headquartered in Colorado, United S...


9. Velaro Live Chat

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $64.95 per user/month
  • Jul 06, 2022
Compare Velaro Live Chat Vs. Olark

Velaro’s live chat software is a robust and completely customizable tool. With everything from location-based targeting to proactive invites to branding options, we make it easy to effectively promote your brand and products to site visitors. Interact with your potential customers by offering valuab...


10. BoomTown

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $1,000 per month
  • Jul 06, 2022
Compare BoomTown Vs. Olark

BoomTown is a real estate sales and marketing solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers such capabilities as predictive CRM, lead management, success management, and others. The software was designed and launched by BoomTown headquartered in South Carolina, United States.


Pricing Guide - Chat Software:

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software Price Range

Most CRM software in the market are priced on a per-user, per-month basis; hence, businesses can expect to pay between the range of $10 to $200 per user monthly. There are also some CRM products with yearly pricings and others with perpetual licenses.

The above price range depends on the sophistication of the CRM products feature-wise, as well as the number of user accesses or accounts paid for. Some CRM software within the above price ranges are Zendesk Sell, which starts from $19 monthly per user, FreeAgent CRM pricing starts from $25 monthly per user, and GreenRope costs between $149 for up to 1,000 contacts to $699 for up to 50,000 contacts.

In addition, CRM products target different sizes of organizations, and their price ranges are as follows:

  • Small Businesses can expect to pay between the range of $10 to $25 for CRM software. The prices are set on a per user per month basis. For example, Zoho CRM costs $12 per user per month, Fresh Sales costs $13 per user, per month, and Copper pricing starts $19 per user per month. In addition to this, some products offer small businesses very basic packages which can be gotten for free.
  • Medium Businesses can expect to pay between $25 to $50 for CRM software. While most products for medium-sized businesses are priced on a per user, per month basis, the number of employees or registered users will determine the prize of the software per user. For example, Hubspot costs up to $30 per user monthly but $50 monthly for two users. Others are Benchmark ONE, which costs $40 monthly per user, and Skynamo, which is priced at $46 per user monthly.
  • Large Businesses can expect prices that fall within $50 to $200 for CRM products. CRM offerings for large business organizations typically come with more features; hence, there may be separate fees for installation, setup, or training. Some CRM software within this tier are FreeAgent CRM, which costs $130 price monthly per user; GreenRope costs between $149 for up to 1,000 contacts to $699 for up to 50,000 contacts , and Quick Base pricing falls around $500 monthly for a number of users.

CRM best of breeds and their price ranges are as follows:

  • Marketing Automation Software Marketing automation products can be divided into three tiers, each carrying prices that range from $0 to $19, $19 to $50, and $50 upwards, respectively. For instance, Active Campaign pricing starts from $15 monthly per user, Hubspot Marketing Automation costs up to $50 per user monthly, and Integrated Marketing Portal pricing is around $50 per user monthly.
  • Lead Management Software The pricing for Lead management products in the market usually varies between $11 and $60 upwards. These price ranges depend on the level of the products offerings and the number of registered users per month. For example, SalesExec pricing starts from $65 per user monthly, Salesforce Essentials costs around $25 per user monthly, and Lead Capsule pricing starts from around $500 per month for a number of years.
  • SalesForce Automation Software SalesForce automation products pricing ranges from $13 to $50 upwards, depending on the level of their offerings and the number of registered accounts per month. The prices are set per user, per month; hence, SAA software pricing like Really Simple System starts from $14 per user monthly, Pepperi pricing is around $48 per user monthly, and Cliently costs up to $39 per user per month.
  • Contact Management Software Most contact management products in the market are priced on a per month basis, and there are typically set limits to the number of contacts each user can manage on the software. Depending on the level of offers, prices may fall between $0 to $14, $14 to $25, and $25 to $400. For example, Infloflo pricing starts from around $100 per month, DejaOffice PC CRM costs up to $50 monthly, and AirTable pricing starts from $14 per month.
  • Email Marketing Software Email marketing products are priced per month, and there are usually limits on the number of subscribers or emails for each user monthly. The prices range from $0 and $30 upwards, depending on the package level. For example, Constant Contact pricing starts from $20 per month, SendinBlue pricing starts from $25 per month, and Campaigner costs around $19 per month.

11. HelpCrunch

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $12 per user/month
  • Jul 13, 2022
Compare HelpCrunch Vs. Olark

HelpCrunch is a growing cloud-based CRM software, it is designed to support small and medium size business. HelpCrunch received a rating of 4.8 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


12. Live Chat Software

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $10 per operator/month
  • Jul 04, 2022
Compare Live Chat Software Vs. Olark

Live Chat Software is a growing cloud-based Help Desk software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Live Chat Software received a rating of 4.8 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


13. Contus Fly

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price: starts at $99 per month
  • Jul 24, 2022
Compare Contus Fly Vs. Olark

Contus Fly is a trending cloud-based Video Conferencing software, it is designed to support small and medium size business. Contus Fly received a rating of 2.5 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1.5/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


14. Smartsupp

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $19.50 per month
  • Jul 19, 2022
Compare Smartsupp Vs. Olark

Smartsupp is a trending cloud-based CRM software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Smartsupp received a rating of 4.7 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1.4/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


15. REVE Chat

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $13.50 per agent/month
  • Jul 23, 2022
Compare REVE Chat Vs. Olark

REVE Chat is a growing cloud-based Chat software, it is designed to support small and medium size business. REVE Chat received a rating of 4.6 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


16. Comm100 Live Chat

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $24 per agent/month
  • Jul 26, 2022
Compare Comm100 Live Chat Vs. Olark

Comm100 Live Chat is a leading cloud-based Help Desk software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Comm100 Live Chat received a rating of 4.7 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (2/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


17. Whisbi

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $899 per month
  • Sep 21, 2022
Compare Whisbi Vs. Olark

Whisbi is a web based real-time customer engagement solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers such capabilities as multi-store management, online order entry, shopping cart integration, and others. The software was designed and launched by Whisbi Technologies headquartered in Spain.


18. WebsiteAlive

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $50 per month
  • Oct 19, 2022
Compare WebsiteAlive Vs. Olark

Connecting Businesses To Consumers The Fastest Way Possible WebsiteAlive is a forward thinking online communications provider dedicated to creating innovative, customizable, and unique experiences for businesses and consumers.


19. HelpOnClick live chat

  • Best for: Start up, Small business, Medium business, Large business
  • Price: starts at $12.99 per agent/month
  • Feb 01, 2023
Compare HelpOnClick live chat Vs. Olark

HelpOnClick is a help desk and customer support solution for small and medium businesses. It also offers marketing, reporting, customization, and analytical capabilities. The software was designed and launched by OnClick Solutions Ltd headquartered in Israel.


20. Tidio Chat Software

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $15 per month
  • Feb 09, 2022
Compare Tidio Chat Software Vs. Olark

Tidio Chat Software is a leading cloud-based Chat software, it is designed to support small and medium size business. Tidio Chat Software received a rating of 3.2 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1.5/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


21. Zoho SalesIQ

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $7 per operator/month
  • Feb 22, 2022
Compare Zoho SalesIQ Vs. Olark

Zoho SalesIQ is a fast growing cloud-based Security software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Zoho SalesIQ received a rating of 4.5 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1.4/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


22. LiveChat

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $16 per agent/month
  • Feb 26, 2022
Compare LiveChat Vs. Olark

LiveChat is a help desk software solution that provides real time interaction with customers. The software was designed by LiveChat, Inc., headquartered in North Carolina, United States. It offers crucial customer support tools and applications along with real time solutions to the customer problems...


23. CustomerICare Live Chat

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $12 per license
  • Feb 23, 2022
Compare CustomerICare Live Chat Vs. Olark

CustomerICare Live Chat is a customer live chat solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers such capabilities as geo-tagging, customizable branding, visitor tagging, and others. The software was designed and launched by CustomerICare headquartered in Poland.


24. Chatwee Social Chat Widget

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price: starts at $19 per month
  • Feb 28, 2022
Compare Chatwee Social Chat Widget Vs. Olark

Chatwee Social Chat Widget is a fast growing cloud-based CRM software, it is designed to support small and medium size business. Chatwee Social Chat Widget received a rating of 4.3 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


25. Live chat

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $36 per user/month
  • Feb 15, 2022
Compare Live chat Vs. Olark

LiveChat is a help desk and customer support service solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers both online and on premise deployment options and round the clock customer support. The software was designed and launched by LiveChat, Inc headquartered in California, United States.


26. Livehelpnow

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $21 per month
  • Mar 08, 2022
Compare Livehelpnow Vs. Olark

LiveHelpNow is a help desk software designed to help website owners personalize their customer support. The help desk solution can help users to connect with their customers directly like they do in a traditional retail store. LiveHelpNow was founded back in 2003 and is headquartered in ...


27. LiveEngage

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Oct 31, 2022
Compare LiveEngage Vs. Olark

LiveEngage is a cloud-based customer-experience management system that helps businesses connect with their customers to ensure that customers get the maximum experience from it.


28. JivoChat

  • Best for: Start up, Small business
  • Price: starts at $19 per agent/month
  • Apr 19, 2022
Compare JivoChat Vs. Olark

We wanted an efficient and economical way to directly reach our customers on our website – JivoChat has provided that and more! JivoChat has enabled us to create a more comfortable and confident experience for our users. Any questions, comments or concerns are handled directly and efficiently. Reser...


29. Provide Support Live Chat

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $15 per user/month
  • Apr 19, 2022
Compare Provide Support Live Chat Vs. Olark

Provide Support Live Chat is a web based customer support solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers such capabilities as real-time visitor monitoring, customization and branding, spell checking, and others. The software was designed and launched by Provide Support LLC headquartered in New York...


30. Acquire

  • Best for: Start up, Small business, Medium business, Large business
  • Price: starts at $40 per agent/month
  • Apr 25, 2022
Compare Acquire Vs. Olark

Our flexible and scalable software suite meets the customer service, sales, and support needs of any business — on any device.


31. Bold360

  • Best for: Start up, Small business
  • Price: starts at $599 per user/year
  • Nov 09, 2022
Compare Bold360 Vs. Olark

Bold360 brings the best of AI chatbots and human support together so your customers and employees get what they need the first time, every time. Deliver exceptional experiences and solve problems faster with Bold360.


32. HubSpot Service Hub

  • Best for: Start up, Small business, Medium business, Large business
  • Price: starts at $45 per month
  • May 16, 2022
Compare HubSpot Service Hub Vs. Olark

Service Hub has all the tools you need to delight customers at scale. You’ll give them an extraordinary and efficient experience with your company, help them help themselves, and build a base of happy customers who advocate for your business. Here’s how:


33. hybrid.chat

  • Best for: Start up, Small business, Medium business, Large business
  • Price: starts at $29 per month
  • May 17, 2022
Compare hybrid.chat Vs. Olark

Chatbots that help you capture qualified leads and route chats to appropriate departments quickly. Deploying a chatbot easy and NO CODING SKILLS are required. If you can edit a Spreadsheet, you can build a chatbot.


34. Brand Embassy

  • Best for: Start up, Small business, Medium business, Large business
  • Price: starts at $70 per user/month
  • Nov 12, 2022
Compare Brand Embassy Vs. Olark

Brand Embassy is a social media customer care software that can help users to comment and respond on the major social networks from one single solution. Users can track any mention of their products in both social networking platforms and online discussions. Brand Embassy was founded back in 201...


35. Rocketbots

  • Best for: Start up, Small business, Medium business, Large business
  • Price: starts at $29 per month
  • Nov 12, 2022
Compare Rocketbots Vs. Olark

Respond.io is a cloud-based chat automation platform designed to help users manage customer relationships across various industry verticals. Key features include bulk messaging, surveys, file storage, dashboards, analytics, a parametric code generator, automated replies and a contact management syst...


36. Customer Service Management

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $55 per user/month
  • Jul 18, 2022
Compare Customer Service Management Vs. Olark

Cogsdale Customer Service Management is a customer relationship management solution for businesses of all sizes. Its capabilities include permit management, license management, payment management, and others. The software was designed and launched by Cogsdale headquartered in Canada.


37. Hipchat

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $2 per user/month
  • Jul 16, 2022
Compare Hipchat Vs. Olark

Hipchat is a group chat and instant messaging solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers unlimited chat rooms, drag and drop file sharing, integration, and other capabilities. The software was designed and launched by Altassian headquartered in Sydney, Australia.


38. CUGIC

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $9.50 per user/month
  • Feb 02, 2020
Compare CUGIC Vs. Olark

Cugic is a live chat software allowing users and/or their staff to converse with their online visitors.


39. Oggchat Live Chat

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $12 per month
  • Nov 27, 2022
Compare Oggchat Live Chat Vs. Olark

OggChat Live Chat is a customizable live chat software designed to help users boost their sales by personalizing their customer service. Users can chat from their mobile phone, Google Talk or other instant messengers and visitors don’t need any additional software for using this live chat sup...


40. Re:plain

  • Best for: Start up, Small business, Medium business, Large business
  • Price:
  • Dec 26, 2019
Compare Re:plain Vs. Olark

We bring your clients closer to you as well as bring your business closer to your clients by connecting you directly with your Facebook Messenger or Telegram. We increase the effectiveness of your business by making your communications more human and simple.


41. Deskun

  • Best for: Start up, Small business, Medium business
  • Price: starts at $1.99 per month
  • Sep 20, 2019
Compare Deskun Vs. Olark

Deskun is a multichannel helpdesk system. It is a Google Chrome extension that enables to combine multiple communication channels and process customer requests inside Gmail or G Suite interface. The channels available are as follows: Live chat on a website Messengers: Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter,...


42. imo-im

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Sep 09, 2019
Compare imo-im Vs. Olark

imo-im is a growing cloud-based Chat software, it is designed to support medium and large size business. imo-im received a rating of 4.2 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered average (3.5/5) when compared to other solutions in their category.


43. socialboost

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $19 per user/month
  • Sep 02, 2019
Compare socialboost Vs. Olark

socialboost is a leading cloud-based Social Media Management software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. socialboost received a rating of 3.4 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered average (2.9/5) when compared to other solutions in their category.


44. Help.com Live Chat

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $80 per user/month
  • Dec 19, 2022
Compare Help.com Live Chat Vs. Olark

Help.com Live Chat is a web based help desk and customer support solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers such capabilities as customizable branding, agent scheduling, visitor targeting, and others. The software was designed and launched by Help.com LLC headquartered in Texas, United States. ...



A Buyer's Guide to Business Software Solutions

How to Evaluate and Buy Business Software
 
If you’re somehow puzzled if this article is only for a specific size of business, no, it’s not. This is for you SMEs, MNEs and start-ups software buyers. Also, we’re not talking about a specific software solution here. Whether the software solution that you’re planning to buy is for Accounting, Business Intelligence, ERP, CRM, Help Desk, Maintenance Management or other types of application, one thing is for sure; with the help of this article, you will be able to know the right process in evaluating and buying a business software solution.
 
We’ve been into the software business for years and we’re seeing a lot of nitty-gritty things that often bring confusions and hesitations to many companies looking for better software solutions. Some companies can’t afford to let go their legacy systems while a few is encountering technological snags once the new system is in place. While this is the underlying truth behind software acquisition and implementation, what’s exciting about buying a business software solution is that there is a clear and obvious proof that thousands of companies and corporations today are happy with the benefits this technology is bringing into their respective businesses.  There is a significant increase in their revenue and the growth is on-going. And it’s easy to say; many from the Fortune 500 companies are making a lot of money because of their smartly-acquired business software.
 
So, let’s get straight to the point. What should you do in order to acquire that business software that could make your organization achieve its goals? The answer to this is pretty straightforward: evaluate and buy that right business software. Yes, that’s what you need to do and here’s the best manual from ITQlick.com that could certainly help you in doing that strategically.
 
Consider the Needs of Your Organization
Let’s assume that at this point, the entire management team agreed that you are ready to invest on a certain software application. The budget has been compromised and the key persons who will be involved in the acquisition process were already identified. Therefore, it’s time to approach things the project management way.
 
Define the Project
Every business software solution is categorized base on application type, features, deployment model, market size and pricing model. Remember that our objective here is to evaluate and buy a business software product that will fit into the size and present needs of your business. So what the project management team should try to deal with first is to define the real requirements of your business exactly base on the categories set by the software industry. Moreover, by doing this activity, you are already narrowing down your search for the right solution. Now, consider bringing this list of FAQs to the project management and aim to come up with clear-cut answers.
 
  1. What type of software is needed? Is it Integrated-Suite, Best-of-Breed or Industry-Specific? Ask your CEO’s main agenda and find the perfect match from these available options.
  2. What are the core and secondary features? Are you looking for basic, advanced or hi-end features? List down the specific features per category and allow the department managers and supervisors to give their insights on this list.
  3. How are you going to deploy the system? Would it be on-premise, cloud-based, hosted, or mobile-based? Weigh these options with the help of your CIO.
  4. Are you going for Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 3 vendors? Their offered solutions are base on the size of their target market - SMEs, MNEs or start-ups. Seek your CFO’s advice as it is important to match your financial capacity against the cost of the solution that the providers have for you.
  5. Are you willing to pay for the perpetuity software license or a subscription-based solution is way better? How many users are there and what would be their roles in using the system? Solicit feedbacks from future end users for they know better what challenges and risks might possibly come along their way when they’re using the system.
 
Finalize the BOM or List of Requirements
After providing definite answers on the above questions, we can say that the project has already been defined. Your procurement team is now ready to do their role in the acquisition process of this solution. However, in order for them to execute their job properly, they must have the complete list of requirements - features, specifications, hardware, and the software product. In other words, the Bill-of-Materials (BOM) that is final, complete and well-prepared must be handed over to the procurement director. Needless to say, it is very important that everybody is following the company purchasing and procurement protocols at all times.  
 
Request for Proposal (RFP)
The RFP process will bring everything into formality. Since you’re more likely in a line of business that doesn’t regularly buy software products, it is of critical importance that your RFP is well-structured before you send it to your prospect solution providers.
 
Draft the RFP
An RFP that contains all the relevant information as discussed during the project management meetings will enable the providers to return back to you their proposal that is complete and substantial. Therefore, your RFP should basically contain the following:
 
Brief Introduction
  • Company Name
  • Mission and Goals
  • Purpose of the RFP (or the need for software solution)
Business Background
  • Organizational Structure
  • Current Situation (IT infrastructure, system currently in-use, system issues and desired solutions, etc.)
  • Major Objectives of the Software Purchase
Request for Specific Requirements
  • Solution Functionality
  • System Specifications
  • Vendor Company Information
  • Price Model, Service Plans, Package Options
Other Important Inquiries (if necessary)
 
Send the RFP
Well-structured RFP will bring a lot of advantages especially when the proposals from various providers are received and then subjected for review and analysis. Send your RFP to at least three to five providers (or prospects which you have already shortlisted during the project definition phase). Depending on the complexity of the solution, most vendors will send their proposal in a matter of time, which could be around 4 to 6 weeks for Integrated-Suite solution.
 
Why still send RFP?
Is there really a need for RFP if your preferred solution (like cloud-based) and the service plans or packages are already displayed on the vendor’s website? Well, yes, you still need to undergo the RFP process. For most sales people, they certainly know that those figures appearing in the vendor’s website are usually the “list price” and not the “actual price”. More importantly, the vendor’s proposal (response to RFP) will serve as your main basis for the negotiation. Therefore, sending an RFP is a strict requirement.
 
Follow up questions relevant to RFP
More often than not, questions and concerns will be raised by the vendors to whom you send the RFP. You have to entertain them with utmost professionalism. Solution providers who are seeking further clarifications relevant to the RFP are consisting of professional software experts who wants to help your organization as much as they can. Entertain them but at the same time, always be cautious when providing additional information which you know is confidential or proprietary.
 
Evaluate the Proposals
Always refer to your finalized BOM when tabulating the contents of each proposal. Part of this process is to check the features that are available from this certain vendor and to cross out those that are not. While using spreadsheet aids the tabulation process, laying down the document proposals on the table and allowing your project management team to review them one by one should always be conducted. Evaluating the proposals in full force can help strengthen your decision-making process. Have another round of brain-storming session and come with the name of your preferred solution provider.
 
When selecting the final vendor, always promote the best interest of your organization. Consider answering these questions with full sincerity.
 
  1. Which vendor can provide the long-term benefits to your organization?
  2. Which vendor can provide the best and honest service from acquisition to full implementation?
  3. Which vendor is willing to devote most of its time in better serving its client?
 
Contact this solution provider and in your own strategic approach, try to get the answers to those three important questions above. In most cases, vendor who really wants to prove its craft will offer product demos on a higher level. Others will even invite you to check their already deployed and working systems. Feel free to connect with this type of vendor. Conduct simulation and testing, be it a cloud-based or on-premise solution. Examine all aspects and angles especially those that your project management team want to really know in-depth. For as long as it could help you arrive at a better decision, consider doing all the options available – for the interest of the organization.
 
Enter the Negotiation Process
Most solutions providers can be flexible in terms of pricing. Although the final say is oftentimes on the mouth of the sales person from the vendor’s side, a good negotiation process can always deliver a win-win situation to both parties involve. While negotiation sometimes cannot be settled in one sitting session, always be honest with your intentions whenever negotiating with your provider. If it’s about your budget, justify it with clarity. If it’s about their service plans, tell them what’s lacking or missing on their solution. At the end of the day, the most important event that should happen is that both of you are shaking hands because of a well done negotiation process.
 
Seal the Contract
So what are you going to do on a contract that involves a significant amount of investment? There are three project management approaches for this.
 
  1. Pass the ball to you legal team. They know what to do and more or less they will tell you if there is something wrong with the contract. Give them enough time to review before they affix their signature and then finally seal the contract.
  2. Hire a consultant base on the technical aspect that you want to clarify in the contract. If it’s the Scope of Work (SOW), a software implementation expert is the right person. If it is related to complex legal terms and conditions, a lawyer can help. If it has something to do with money, invite an accountant to conduct a thorough review and computation if necessary.
  3. Always consider consulting your project management team. Remember that the CIO, CFO and CEO are all team members. They will be the signatories and they know what’s best for the interest of the company when signing a contract agreement.
 
From evaluation to buying stage, it is important that the project manager must take full responsibility of monitoring all the works identified and distributed among team members. This is why delegating the right project manager is also an important consideration when buying a business software solution. And again, ITQlick.com wants to emphasize that whatever the size of your company is, using the project management approach will always lead you into a better outcome – that is getting what you paid for the right business software solution. 

ITQlick chart - 2023 best Chat Software

2023 best Chat Software | ITQlick.com

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Auditor - Shlomi Lavi

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Shlomi Lavi is an entrepreneur and founder of ITQlick.com. He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Information Systems Engineering from Ben Gurion University in Israel. Shlomi brings 17 years of global IT and IS management experience as a consultant and implementation expert for small, medium and large-sized (global) companies. Shlomi’s goal is to share the best knowledge and news about information systems so you can make smarter buying decisions for your business.