Top 54 Distribution Accounting Software (Feb 2024)

2023's Best 55 Distribution Accounting Systems

Shlomi LaviShlomi Lavi / Feb 11, 2024

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1. NetSuite Order Management System

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price:
  • Mar 08, 2022
Compare NetSuite Order Management System Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

NetSuite Order Management System is a software solution that provides clients with a multi-channel order management system that manages all facets of a client’s order process. The software provides control of all orders, from the initial order to the order receipt, to the financial settlements. The ...


2. Blue Link Elite

  • Best for: Start up, Small business, Medium business
  • Price: starts at $500 per license
  • Mar 22, 2022
Compare Blue Link Elite Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Blue Link ERP is an inventory and distribution management software for small companies. It offers business solutions including but not limited to real-time inventory and accounting, order entry, B2B and B2C eCommerce, POS, EDI integration, CRM, and more.


3. NetSuite Financials

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $499 per user/month
  • Apr 13, 2022
Compare NetSuite Financials Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

NetSuite Financials is a cloud-based accounting and eCommerce software suite designed to comply with all business sizes. It aims to streamline your accounting department through the use of a web based application and dashboard. NetSuite Company was founded in 1998 and is handled by 1,600 employe...


4. Infor SCM

  • Best for: Start up, Small business, Medium business, Large business
  • Price:
  • Sep 23, 2022
Compare Infor SCM Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Infor SCM is both cloud-based as well as an on-premise supply chain management solution that is developed majorly for logistics service providers. The on-premise deployment can be done on either the windows platform or the Mac OS platform depending on the customers choice.


5. Infor ERP

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $5 per month
  • Sep 12, 2022
Compare Infor ERP Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Infor ERP is an enterprise management solution system developed by Infor to provide assistance to industry-specific companies in managing their operational functions including standard ones like Finance and Manufacturing.  Headquartered in New York, Infor is a U.S. based company that specialises in...


6. Paragon ERP

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $150 per month
  • May 15, 2022
Compare Paragon ERP Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Paragon ERP software is a cloud-hosted enterprise resource planning suite fit for small businesses in every industry. Users of Paragon ERP get access to tools that help them help to manage their business operations from customer service, product management, sales, logistics, and human resources.


7. contractERP

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • May 18, 2022
Compare contractERP Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

ContractERP is an enterprise resource planning solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers assistance in distribution, manufacturing, supplying, and other aspects of business operations. The software was designed and launched by Access IT headquartered in New York, United States.


8. ERP-ONE

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price:
  • May 19, 2022
Compare ERP-ONE Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

ERP-ONE is an enterprise resource planning solution for small and medium businesses. It offers such services as inventory management, sales management, financial management, and others. The software was designed and launched by Distribution One headquartered in New Jersey, United States.


9. IBS Enterprise

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • May 17, 2022
Compare IBS Enterprise Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

IBS Enterprise is a web-based resource management software that can help you to make supply chain processes automated and accelerate it greatly. The success of any business depends on complete control over inventory, good accounting system, e-commerce system and CRM and this resource management solu...


10. Epicor Distribution

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $175 per user/month
  • May 18, 2022
Compare Epicor Distribution Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Epicor Distribution is cloud-based and on-premise distribution solution that caters for businesses of all sizes including small-sized businesses, medium-sized businesses, and large enterprises in the aerospace, automotive, construction, engineering, energy, electronics, medical devices, consumer goo...


Pricing Guide - Distribution Accounting Software:

Distribution Software Price Range

A majority distribution software in the market has perpetual licences that can be bought with a one-time fee. However, there are others set on the conventional per month, per user basis. Businesses can expect to pay between $20 to $100 per month for a distribution software. Alternatively, companies can expect prices from $5,000 and above for distribution software perpetual licenses.

For example, Visco pricing starts from $95 per user monthly and Info M3 pricing from $150 per user monthly. Meanwhile, Epicor Distributor and Accolent ERP cost one-time fees of $20,000 and $2,500 respectively for perpetual licences.

Different vendors target different sizes of businesses; hence, each business size should expect disparate pricing.

  • Small Businesses can expect price points which range from $10 to $40 for distribution software. For example, Hello Tracks is priced at $10 per user, per month, while Zoho Creator pricing starts from $10 per user, per month. Also, Emerge App costs up to $26 per user monthly.
  • Medium Businesses can expect to pay within $40 to $100 for a distribution software, depending on the type of package, the robustness of its features, and the number of user accounts. For example, Aquilon is priced at $75 per month for a single user account, but costs around $60 for multiple accounts. Also, Visco is priced around $95 per user monthly, and Nowcommerce for QuickBooks costs around $100 per month.
  • Large Businesses can expect volatile pricing for a distribution software because most vendors adjust their prices to suit capacity of interested organizations. However, they can expect a price between $100 to $800 per month. For example, InfoPlus pricing starts from 695 per month, while that of Infor M3 starts from 150 per month.

Distribution Software best of breeds and their price ranges are as follows:

  • Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Software Most electronic data interchange software in the market are priced either on a yearly basis or per license, although there are a few others with monthly pricing. The price ranges for EDI, depending on their tiers, are $150 to $250, $250 to $2,500, and $2,500 upward. For instance, Chiapas EDI is priced around $3750 per year, while ERP Integration Software costs $1,000 per year. Alternatively, GoAnywhere MFT perpetual licence costs around $2,000, while that of Business Systems Integrators costs $1,200.
  • Food Traceability Software Most food traceability software products in the market are set on per user, per year or per user, per month basis. The price points ranges are $40 to $80, $80 to $200, and $200 above per month, depending on their tiers. Otherwise, yearly food traceability software tools are between $500 to $2,000, and $2,000 to $10,000 per year. For example, SafetyChain Food Safety & Quality Software starts from $7,500 per year, while Compliance Mate pricing starts from $500 per year. Otherwise, Visual Produce costs $300 per user monthly, while eQ Trace costs $350 per user monthly.
  • Shipping Software Most shipping software apps in the market are either priced per user, per month or by the volume of shipping per month. Its price varies between $2 and $50 above depending on the vendor offering it. For instance, ShippingEasy pricing starts from $29 per month, FreightView costs around $99 per month, and 2Ship pricing starts from $10 monthly.
  • Logistics Software Most logistics Software solutions in the market are priced per user, per month or per volume of items monthly. There are also others based on commission. The price ranges are between $40 to $80 and $80 to $200 per month. For example, Logitude World starts from $45 per month, OnFleet pricing starts from $149 per month, and Betachon Freight Auditing pricing starts from $0.1 per gain on each item.
  • Food Distribution Software Food distribution software have prices that fall between $18 to $50 and $50 to $150 per month, depending on their tiers. The price is set per driver or user per month or per trip, per month. For example, Traverse pricing starts from $100 per month, Routteique pricing from $49 per month, and OptimoRoute costs about $19 per driver per month.

11. Advanced supply chain

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • May 25, 2022
Compare Advanced supply chain Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Advanced supply chain is a supply chain management solution for businesses of all sizes. It reduces operational costs, streamlines the cash flow, and improves the logistic services. The software was designed and launched by Advanced Processing Limited headquartered in Bradford, United Ki...


12. Accolent ERP

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price: starts at $2,500 per license
  • May 25, 2022
Compare Accolent ERP Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Accolent ERP is an enterprise resource planning solution for small and medium businesses. It offers assistance in wholesale distribution management along with inventory and purchasing management capabilities. The software was developed and launched by ADS Solutions Corporation headquarte...


13. VFP Enterprise Business Series

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price:
  • May 29, 2022
Compare VFP Enterprise Business Series Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

VFP Enterprise Business Series is a distribution management solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers such services as procurement management, inventory management, general ledger, and others. The software was designed and launched by VFP Business Solutions LLC headquartered in Florida, United...


14. Acctivate Inventory Software

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price: starts at $7,995 per license
  • May 25, 2022
Compare Acctivate Inventory Software Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Acctivate Inventory Software for QuickBooks® helps manage all phases of business in real-time with features for warehousing, order fulfillment, purchasing, landed cost, traceability & more.


15. Interprise Suite

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price:
  • May 25, 2022
Compare Interprise Suite Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Interprise is an internet enterprise software designed for franchises or buying groups to help their members to work together in unity; purchasing from one vendor, marketing or operating as a unit.


16. ProcessWare ERP

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $2,500 per license
  • Jun 22, 2022
Compare ProcessWare ERP Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

ProcessWare ERP is an ERP software built for flavor and fragrance companies to provide a single inventory management source for companies, synchronize teams, provide accurate costing of products, and solid distribution and manufacturing processes.


17. ERP123

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price: starts at $150 per month
  • Jun 16, 2022
Compare ERP123 Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

ERP123 is an enterprise resource planning software that is ready to offer the “optimum business solution” for your company. The software comes with an innovative approach which can reduce cost and risk by providing flexible and easy-to-use solutions. The software is based on a latest technology with...


18. SR2Software

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price: starts at $1,200 per license
  • Jun 18, 2022
Compare SR2Software Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

SR2Software is a food service distribution solution for small and medium businesses. It offers such services as order management, lot control and tracking, barcode scanning, and others. The software was designed and launched by SR2 Software headquartered in Rhode Island, United States.


19. entree ERP

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $4,995 per license
  • Jun 23, 2022
Compare entree ERP Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

...


20. Brightpearl Software

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price:
  • Jul 04, 2022
Compare Brightpearl Software Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Brightpearl software is an advanced inventory management solution for wholesalers and retailers. The solution offers a number of features that include a bill of material tool that tracks raw material and converts them into finished goods.


21. Certus Food ERP

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $125 per 5 users/month
  • Apr 08, 2022
Compare Certus Food ERP Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Certus Food ERP is a food service distribution software designed for food & beverage businesses. It enhances their operations fully and provides them with complete visibility and control over inventory accuracy, quality management, cost & traceability.


22. Epicor Vision

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Apr 26, 2022
Compare Epicor Vision Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Epicor is an enterprise resource planning software that helps businesses make business decisions with accurate data and clear insights. The software provides document storage and retrieval system that helps to turn paper documents into digital files.


23. Ximple Erp

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price:
  • Jan 14, 2022
Compare Ximple Erp Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Ximple ERP is an ERP Software designed to enable wholesale distributors to process orders, analyze customer buying habits, and boost communication processes amongst employees, suppliers, and customers.


24. Acumatica Distribution Management Suite

  • Best for: Start up, Small business, Medium business
  • Price:
  • Jul 10, 2023
Compare Acumatica Distribution Management Suite Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Acumatica Distribution Management Suite is an application software module, which has been developed to aid in the management of the intricacies of distribution. It enables the user to track inventory, purchasing, ordering, filling orders, and delivering customer support. This software delivers real-...


25. SAP for Wholesale Distribution

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price:
  • Jul 05, 2022
Compare SAP for Wholesale Distribution Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

SAP for wholesale distribution includes state of the art software solutions for both large as well as mid-sized organizations all across the globe. This software solution can help companies enhance their operational efficiency and profitability while extending support for seamless customer support a...


26. Sage Evolution

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Jul 05, 2022
Compare Sage Evolution Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Sage Evolution is an enterprise resource planning solution for small and medium businesses. It deals with such aspects as accounting, business intelligence, supply chain, procurement, and others. The software was designed and launched by Sage Pastel Communication headquartered in South Af...


27. S2K for Manufacturing

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Jul 18, 2022
Compare S2K for Manufacturing Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

S2K for Manufacturing is an enterprise resource planning solution for businesses of all sizes. Its capabilities include supply chain management, inventory management, e-commerce, and others. The software was designed and launched by Vormittag Associates Inc headquartered in New York, United States.


28. e-PIC One Enterprise

  • Best for: Start up, Small business, Medium business
  • Price: starts at $1,000 per license
  • Jul 15, 2022
Compare e-PIC One Enterprise Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

e-PIC One Enterprise is a web-based ERP program designed for manufacturers, distributors, fabricators, franchise business and suppliers. It could operate on your web browser, desktop and mobile device. It is filled with features that manage the entire order process from quoting to invoicing. It also...


29. LaceUp Mobile Invoicing

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price:
  • Jul 19, 2022
Compare LaceUp Mobile Invoicing Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

LaceUp Mobile Invoicing is a direct store delivery software for wholesalers and distribution companies to create and manage invoicing processes.


30. Inform Distribution Software

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price:
  • Aug 25, 2022
Compare Inform Distribution Software Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Inform Distribution software is a management tool which combines all of the everyday operations related to accounts and inventory in a sale. This software contains various tools, which help in boosting the latest sales, and improves managerial tasks like contact and sales management. It helps join t...


31. ECi Maytech

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Aug 01, 2022
Compare ECi Maytech Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

ECiMaytechis a distribution software specifically designed for Jan/San and industrial paper distributors. The business management system is platform-independent and is compatible with Mac, Windows, Unix and Linux. Users can use this software to automate all their back office operations starting from...


32. AccountMate SQL Software

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $4,000 per license
  • Aug 23, 2022
Compare AccountMate SQL Software Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

AccountMate SQL software is a hybrid accounting solution that can be deployed as SaaS, Cloud-based or on-premise. The platform offer functionality tools that help small & midsize businesses manage their financial processes and routines.


33. Acumatica Cloud ERP

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price:
  • Feb 11, 2024
Compare Acumatica Cloud ERP Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Acumatica Cloud ERP is cloud-based as well as an on-premise enterprise resource planning solution that is designed for use by both businesses as well as individual professionals. The solution offers business the critical functionalities that help support business growth and expansion since the solut...


34. Aquilon ERP Distribution

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $120 per month
  • Oct 07, 2022
Compare Aquilon ERP Distribution Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Aquilon ERP Distribution software is an affordable and feature-rich enterprise resource planning solution. The real-time data function ensures that the transaction engines update the system in real-time. The user-defined reports give necessary information to manage and guide your business.


35. Aptean Warehouse Management System Software

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price:
  • Jan 27, 2023
Compare Aptean Warehouse Management System Software Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Aptean Warehouse Management System (WMS) distribution and chain management software for single to multi-site enterprises. Its key features include warehouse management, yard management, slotting, dynamic route planning, labor management, cross-dock planning, and transportation management.


36. ADS Solutions Distribution

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price: starts at $2,500 per license
  • Oct 03, 2022
Compare ADS Solutions Distribution Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

ADS Solutions Distribution is a software solution that supports wholesale distributors. The software provides a fully integrated business solution that includes finance, inventory control, purchasing, invoicing, CRM and sales together with an e-commerce platform. ADS Solutions was founded in 1984...


37. Stream Vaast - ERP SaaS Software

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Jan 31, 2023
Compare Stream Vaast - ERP SaaS Software Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Stream Vaast- ERP is an integrated, hosted SaaS point of sale (POS), e-commerce & ERP (enterprise resource planning) solution built for Distribution, Warehousing, and Manufacturing businesses. Stream Vaast- ERP software is a product of Cove Systems, Inc. established in 1983, in California.


38. Bizowie ERP

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $850 per month
  • Feb 12, 2022
Compare Bizowie ERP Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Bizowie ERP is a cloud-based as well as an on-premise enterprise resource planning that is developed to be used by individuals as well as businesses that are operating in the various industries such as manufacturing, distribution, and construction among others.


39. Abas Distribution

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $210 per user/month
  • Feb 12, 2022
Compare Abas Distribution Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Abas Distribution is a manufacturing and distribution management solution for small and medium businesses. Its capabilities include inventory management, financial management, reporting, and others. The software was designed and launched by Abas Software AG headquartered in Germany.


40. ACUMATICA

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $1,000 per month
  • Feb 14, 2022
Compare ACUMATICA Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Acumatica Cloud ERP is enterprise resource planning software for small and medium businesses. It supervises accounting, human resource management, manufacturing, and supply chain management aspects of your business. The software was designed by Acumatic, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Washingt...


41. Apprise® ERP

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Feb 18, 2022
Compare Apprise® ERP Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Designed for consumer goods distribution, Apprise ERP is fully-integrated with the features needed to improve efficiency and gain real-time business insights. Retailer compliance, EDI, forecasting, importing, logistics, warehouse management, business intelligence, mobile sales - Apprise ERP helps te...


42. Infor10 Supply Chain Execution

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Feb 22, 2022
Compare Infor10 Supply Chain Execution Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Infor10 Supply Chain Execution is a supply chain management solution for your business. It was designed by Infor, founded in 2002 and headquartered in New York, United States. The software supplies a suite of integrated applications for planning and management of business processes.


43. Building Supply Controller

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price:
  • Feb 23, 2022
Compare Building Supply Controller Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Building Supply Controller is a construction management solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers such services as profit center accounting, inventory control, pricing management, and others. The software was designed and launched by Mainframe Associates headquartered in British Columbia, Cana...


44. Epicor ERP

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $175 per user/month
  • Feb 22, 2022
Compare Epicor ERP Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Epicor ERP is a cloud-based as well as an enterprise resource planning solution that has been developed to be used either by individuals or by businesses in various industries such as manufacturing, construction, and advertising among others.


45. SAP Distribution

  • Best for: Large business
  • Price:
  • Mar 19, 2022
Compare SAP Distribution Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

SAP Distribution provides a wholesale distribution solution. The software help companies to plan, requisition, stock, sell and manage inventory efficiently, so that operational productivity can improve, resulting in better revenues and greater cash flows. SAP is a leading enterprise application s...


46. Produce Pro

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Feb 26, 2022
Compare Produce Pro Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Produce Pro is a software system designed to track details of perishable products throughout their lifetime. The software is broad based, offering several solutions to the perishable industry. Some of these solutions include sales order entries, inventory management, pricing, accounting and reportin...


47. Pilot ERP

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price: starts at $99 per month
  • Mar 08, 2022
Compare Pilot ERP Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

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


48. CentralBOS

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $999 per month
  • Mar 24, 2022
Compare CentralBOS Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

CentralBOS software is an all-in-one, cloud-based enterprise resource planning solution that provides a real-time view of every business operation. The software incorporates multiple functionalities that include inventory management, CRM, HR/payroll, order management, financial management, and field...


49. Apprise

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Oct 31, 2022
Compare Apprise Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Apprise Distribution Inventory software is a cloud based software solution for inventory management. The software was designed by Apprise Software, Inc., headquartered in Pennsylvania, United States. The software focuses on providing enterprise resource planning (ERP) and supply chain management (SC...


50. PRONTO-Xi

  • Best for: Start up, Small business, Medium business, Large business
  • Price:
  • Sep 08, 2019
Compare PRONTO-Xi Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

PRONTO-Xi is an enterprise resource planning software solution for your business. The software was designed and developed by Pronto Software Limited headquartered in Victoria, Australia. It aims at improving the end-to-end business processes while providing data integrity and streamlining of supply ...


51. VAI S2K Enterprise Food MFR

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Apr 26, 2022
Compare VAI S2K Enterprise Food MFR Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Food distribution is a unique industry in many ways. Inventory management and tracking is critical. Lot and Date Tracking, Broken Case Unit Conversions, Catch Weight Pricing, Truck Routing, Flexible Contract Pricing, and Rebates / Promotions / Billbacks, are just some of the requirements that make t...


52. Starta Enterprise System

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price: starts at $200 per month
  • Nov 10, 2022
Compare Starta Enterprise System Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Starta Enterprise System is an enterprise resource planning solution for businesses of all sizes. Its services include document management, development management, project management, reporting, and others. The software was designed and launched by Starta Development Inc headquartered in...


53. Openbravo Professional Edition

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $815 per month
  • May 16, 2022
Compare Openbravo Professional Edition Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

Openbravo Professional Edition is a retail management software that is designed for companies with fewer users. It has an enterprise edition that is more appropriate for companies with several users. Those with 5 to 20 users can go for the professional edition. It can handle 500 service calls per da...


54. IBS Enterprise ERP

  • Best for: Start up, Small business, Medium business, Large business
  • Price: starts at $94 per user/month
  • May 16, 2022
Compare IBS Enterprise ERP Vs. NetSuite Order Management System

IBS Enterprise is an enterprise resource planning solution for medium businesses. It regulates and streamlines the financial, administrative, and supply chain aspects of the business. The software was developed by IBS, Inc., headquartered in



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. 

Finding the right business software for your business
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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.