Top 54 Marketing Automation Software (Feb 2023)

2023's Best 55 Marketing Automation Systems

Shlomi LaviShlomi Lavi / Feb 01, 2023

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1. VisitorTrack

  • Best for: Start up, Small business, Medium business, Large business
  • Price: starts at $199 per month
  • Mar 12, 2022
Compare VisitorTrack Vs. VisitorTrack

VisitorTrack is a cloud-based marketing automation solution designed for B2B who are actively marketing and selling to acquire new clients.


2. Ensighten

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Apr 27, 2022
Compare Ensighten Vs. VisitorTrack

Ensighten is a growing cloud-based Marketing software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Ensighten received a rating of 4.9 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (2.5/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


3. IgnitionOne Digital Marketing Suite

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Dec 12, 2022
Compare IgnitionOne Digital Marketing Suite Vs. VisitorTrack

Zeta Global is a growing cloud-based Marketing Automation software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Zeta Global received a rating of 4.4 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered average (2.7/5) when compared to other solutions in their category.


4. Teradata Integrated Marketing Management

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Apr 30, 2022
Compare Teradata Integrated Marketing Management Vs. VisitorTrack

Teradata Integrated Marketing Management is an award-winning cloud-based Marketing Automation software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Teradata Integrated Marketing Management received a rating of 3.2 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered average (2.6/...


5. Integrate

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • May 17, 2022
Compare Integrate Vs. VisitorTrack

Integrate is a growing cloud-based Marketing software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Integrate received a rating of 4.2 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered average (2.8/5) when compared to other solutions in their category.


6. Pardot Marketing Automation

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $1,250 per month
  • May 06, 2022
Compare Pardot Marketing Automation Vs. VisitorTrack

Pardot offers a cloud based marketing automation software for quality lead generation along with effective marketing campaigns intended to increase customer sales by focusing on better lead qualification, shorter sales cycles and multiple marketing channels to ensure a high Return on Investment (ROI...


7. IBM Campaign

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • May 15, 2022
Compare IBM Campaign Vs. VisitorTrack

IBM Campaign is a trending cloud-based Marketing Automation software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. IBM Campaign received a rating of 3.7 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered average (3.5/5) when compared to other solutions in their category.


8. Marketo Lead Management

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $9 per month
  • Jul 04, 2022
Compare Marketo Lead Management Vs. VisitorTrack

Marketo Lead Management is a lead management software that can help users to transform marketing processes and current sales, reduce cost-per-lead, and deliver ready leads to the sales team. This solution can bridge the gap between lead generation and converting the lead to a sale. Marketo, the ...


9. AdRoll

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $19 per month
  • Sep 02, 2022
Compare AdRoll Vs. VisitorTrack

AdRoll is a cloud-based marketing automation software that is designed to assist businesses to compete online as well as promote growth. This software is widely used by businesses with an online presence as well as e-commerce.


10. Vuture

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Sep 30, 2022
Compare Vuture Vs. VisitorTrack

Vuture is a cloud-based marketing automation software solution that is built to offer professional services to assist marketers in creating and sending unique, personalized, and consistent communications to the relevant targets. In return, this will yield into value-driven and relationship-enriching...


Pricing Guide - Marketing Automation Software:

Marketing Automation Software Price Ranges

Most marketing automation products in the market are priced on a monthly basis and mostly based on the number of user accounts, stored contacts, or on the number of sessions. However, the starting price points for most marketing automation products is in the range of $0 and $52 upwards per month. These are the price points for entry-level offerings from most vendors; hence, premium plans with more features will cost more.

In addition, different vendors target different organization sizes; hence, businesses can expect different price points, depending on the size of their organization.

  • Small Businesses can expect to pay within the range of $4 to $20 for a marketing automation software per month. For example, GetResponse pricing starts from $15 per user monthly, PushAd pricing from around $5 per user monthly, and SENDER pricing from around $9 monthly.
  • Medium-sized Businesses price points for a marketing automation software lies within the range of $20 to $55 monthly. For example, SaleNexus CRM and Automation pricing starts from around $46 per user monthly, while Notificare costs up to $29 per month. Another example is User.com, which starts from around $50 per month.
  • Large-scale Businesses can expect payment within the range of $55 to $150 for a marketing automation software per month, although a few other products can go as high as $500 to $1,000 monthly. For example, Keap pricing starts from $79 per month, Pardot costs around $1,250 per user monthly, and BAZO pricing begins at $75 monthly based on the number of sessions. However, some vendors may request extra fees for onboarding of users and installation. Meanwhile, some vendors do not disclose their pricing so as to enable them to set different apt sizes that will fit the request from their customers.

Some vendors offer free versions for their Marketing Automation Software, with about 80-100 percent free access to all features depending on the policy of the vendor involved. For example, SMS Marketing Services, Freshmarketer, and Texting Base all have free offerings ideal for small businesses.

Most marketing automation apps for MacOS have prices that fall between $10 to $50 per month, based on the number of users, contacts, or usage. For example, Madgicx pricing starts from around $49 per month, BrightPod pricing begins from $29 per month, and QZZR costs around $20 per month. There are also apps with perpetual licenses; an example is Plumb5, which costs a one-time fee of $229.


11. SmarterHQ

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price:
  • May 14, 2022
Compare SmarterHQ Vs. VisitorTrack

SmarterHQ is a fast growing cloud-based Marketing software, it is designed to support small and medium size business. SmarterHQ received a rating of 4.9 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (2.4/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


12. SharpSpring

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $449 per month
  • Apr 28, 2022
Compare SharpSpring Vs. VisitorTrack

SharpSpring is a web based marketing automation solution for small and medium sized businesses. Its capabilities include lead management, campaign segmentation, direct mail management, and others. The software was designed and launched by SharpSpring LLC headquartered in Florida, United ...


13. Resulticks

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $999 per user/month
  • May 21, 2022
Compare Resulticks Vs. VisitorTrack

Resulticks is a leading cloud-based Marketing Automation software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Resulticks received a rating of 4.9 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1.7/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


14. LeadLander

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $55 per month
  • May 23, 2022
Compare LeadLander Vs. VisitorTrack

Supercharge your sales prospecting and marketing automation efforts by identifying anonymous visitors to your website.


15. Autopilot

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $29 per month
  • Jun 20, 2022
Compare Autopilot Vs. VisitorTrack

Autopilot is a fast growing cloud-based Marketing Automation software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Autopilot received a rating of 4.7 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (4/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


16. AdTriba

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $1,500 per month
  • Jun 28, 2022
Compare AdTriba Vs. VisitorTrack

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


17. emfluence Marketing Platform

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $700 per month
  • Jul 02, 2022
Compare emfluence Marketing Platform Vs. VisitorTrack

emfluence marketing platform is a marketing software that enables marketers to manage their email marketing operations through the automation of multiple campaigns and the creation of new strategies.


18. Experiture Marketing Platform

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $900 per month
  • Jun 25, 2022
Compare Experiture Marketing Platform Vs. VisitorTrack

Experiture Marketing Platform is a web based marketing automation solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers such services as campaign segmentation, contact management, lead scoring, and others. The software was designed and launched by Experiture Inc headquartered in New York, United States. ...


19. Aimbase

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Jun 27, 2022
Compare Aimbase Vs. VisitorTrack

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


20. Wishpond

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $49 per month
  • Jul 19, 2022
Compare Wishpond Vs. VisitorTrack

Wishpond is a leading cloud-based Marketing Automation software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Wishpond received a rating of 4.3 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


21. QZZR

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $24.99 per month
  • Jul 31, 2022
Compare QZZR Vs. VisitorTrack

QZZR is a growing cloud-based Email Marketing software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. QZZR received a rating of 4.2 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (2/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


22. AdLuge

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $100 per month
  • Jul 29, 2022
Compare AdLuge Vs. VisitorTrack

AdLuge is a trending cloud-based Marketing Automation software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. AdLuge received a rating of 5 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered average (3.5/5) when compared to other solutions in their category.


23. Infor Customer Experience Suite

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Aug 06, 2022
Compare Infor Customer Experience Suite Vs. VisitorTrack

Infor Customer Experience Suite is a fast growing cloud-based Marketing Automation software, it is designed to support medium and large size business. Infor Customer Experience Suite received a rating of 3.5 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (2.5/5) when compared to alte...


24. Terminus

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price: starts at $29 per user/month
  • Aug 06, 2022
Compare Terminus Vs. VisitorTrack

Terminus software is a cloud-based, account-based marketing platform designed to help B2B marketers to run effective ABM at scale. It enables marketers to target the right accounts using the existing firmographics, the engagement, intent and the relationship data they require.


25. GOrendezvous

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price: starts at $29 per month
  • Sep 26, 2022
Compare GOrendezvous Vs. VisitorTrack

GOrendezvous is a fast growing cloud-based Marketing Automation software, it is designed to support small and medium size business. GOrendezvous received a rating of 4.7 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1.8/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


26. SALESmanago Marketing Automation

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $569.20 per feature/month
  • Sep 20, 2022
Compare SALESmanago Marketing Automation Vs. VisitorTrack

SALESmanago Marketing Automation is a sales and marketing automation solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers email marketing, contact management, funnels management, and other services. The software was designed and launched by SALESmanago headquartered in Poland.


27. Leadsius

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $295 per user/month
  • Apr 12, 2022
Compare Leadsius Vs. VisitorTrack

Leadsius is an award-winning cloud-based Marketing Automation software, it is designed to support small and medium size business. Leadsius received a rating of 2.5 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered average (3.3/5) when compared to other solutions in their category.


28. EverString

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $820 per license
  • Oct 18, 2022
Compare EverString Vs. VisitorTrack

EverString is a growing cloud-based Marketing software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. EverString received a rating of 4.6 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered average (2.8/5) when compared to other solutions in their category.


29. Triblio

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price:
  • Oct 18, 2022
Compare Triblio Vs. VisitorTrack

Triblio is a growing cloud-based Marketing Automation software, it is designed to support small and medium size business. Triblio received a rating of 4 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered average (3.3/5) when compared to other solutions in their category.


30. BannerFlow

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Feb 01, 2023
Compare BannerFlow Vs. VisitorTrack

BannerFlow is an HTML5 banner production solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers assistance in campaigns, landings pages, banner building, analytics, and other aspects. The software was designed and launched by Nordic Factory Solutions AB headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and Ne...


31. Zeta Hub

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Feb 25, 2022
Compare Zeta Hub Vs. VisitorTrack

Zeta Hub is a growing cloud-based Marketing Automation software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Zeta Hub received a rating of 4.7 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (2.3/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


32. dotdigital Engagement Cloud

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Feb 22, 2022
Compare dotdigital Engagement Cloud Vs. VisitorTrack

dotdigital Engagement Cloud is a cloud-based marketing software that is designed to provide companies and organizations with automated email marketing solutions via email scheduling and campaign analytics.


33. Totango

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $499 per month
  • Feb 22, 2022
Compare Totango Vs. VisitorTrack

Totango is a web based marketing management and customer engagement solution for businesses of all sizes. Its capabilities include campaign management, lead management, analytics, and others. The software was designed and launched by Totango headquartered in California, United States.


34. Real Magnet

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $199 per month
  • Mar 01, 2022
Compare Real Magnet Vs. VisitorTrack

Real Magnet is a growing cloud-based Marketing Automation software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Real Magnet received a rating of 4.6 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered a bit pricey (5/5) vs their competitors.


35. Leanplum

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $330 per month
  • Feb 26, 2022
Compare Leanplum Vs. VisitorTrack

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


36. Morph.ai

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $47 per month
  • Mar 02, 2022
Compare Morph.ai Vs. VisitorTrack

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


37. Radius

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $13 per month
  • Oct 27, 2022
Compare Radius Vs. VisitorTrack

Radius is a marketing intelligence and analytics platform for businesses of all sizes. It offers such services as customer relationship management, lead segmentation, social media integration, and others. The software was designed and launched by Radius Intelligence Inc headquartered in C...


38. inBOX25

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $899 per month
  • Mar 10, 2022
Compare inBOX25 Vs. VisitorTrack

inBOX25 is a leading cloud-based Marketing Automation software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. inBOX25 received a rating of 2.5 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (2.4/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


39. Lead Guerrilla Software

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $99 per month
  • Mar 09, 2022
Compare Lead Guerrilla Software Vs. VisitorTrack

Lead Guerrilla Software is a trending cloud-based Marketing Analytics software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Lead Guerrilla Software received a rating of 5 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1.1/5) when compared to alternative solution...


40. Mautic

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $100 per month
  • Mar 25, 2022
Compare Mautic Vs. VisitorTrack

Mautic is a growing cloud-based Marketing Automation software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Mautic received a rating of 4.6 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered average (3.2/5) when compared to other solutions in their category.


41. Xtremepush Software

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $250 per month
  • Mar 26, 2022
Compare Xtremepush Software Vs. VisitorTrack

Xtremepush Software is a fast growing cloud-based Marketing Analytics software, it is designed to support medium and large size business. Xtremepush Software received a rating of 4 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


42. Bizible

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $69 per user/month
  • Mar 28, 2022
Compare Bizible Vs. VisitorTrack

Bizible is a marketing analytics software designed to help business owners take better marketing decisions. The software can close the gap between real sales data and online marketing and allows users to drill down on AdWords ROI. Bizible was founded back in 2011 by Aaron Bird and Peter Thompson...


43. C3 Metrics

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Apr 04, 2022
Compare C3 Metrics Vs. VisitorTrack

C3 Metrics is a growing cloud-based Marketing software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. C3 Metrics received a rating of 4.3 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1.7/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


44. AvidTrak

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $2 per user/month
  • Apr 11, 2022
Compare AvidTrak Vs. VisitorTrack

AvidTrak is a growing cloud-based CRM software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. AvidTrak received a rating of 4.6 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1.8/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


45. 7Sheep

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $59 per user/month
  • Apr 19, 2022
Compare 7Sheep Vs. VisitorTrack

7Sheep is a growing cloud-based Marketing Automation software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. 7Sheep received a rating of 4 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered average (3.2/5) when compared to other solutions in their category.


46. XMPie

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $810 per license
  • Apr 20, 2022
Compare XMPie Vs. VisitorTrack

XMPie Data Variable Printing (VDP) is a print communication solution for businesses of all sizes. It provides tools and services to easily create visual VDP jobs. The software was designed and launched by XMPie Inc headquartered in New York, United States.


47. DialogTech

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $500 per user/month
  • Nov 06, 2022
Compare DialogTech Vs. VisitorTrack

DialogTech software is a cloud-based call centre software solution that offers call analytics for marketers. The solution attributes calls from the marketing team and analyzes the discussions to measure the lead quality, caller intent and conversations.


48. MoEngage

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $999 per month
  • May 09, 2022
Compare MoEngage Vs. VisitorTrack

Focus on your KPIs instead of switching between multiple tools and following up with others. You can now measure, iterate and optimize customer touchpoints through a single dashboard.


49. Total Expert

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $69 per user/month
  • Aug 26, 2022
Compare Total Expert Vs. VisitorTrack

Total Expert is a trending cloud-based Property Management software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size property management companies. Total Expert received a rating of 4.5 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (2.2/5) when compared to alternative solutio...


50. Marketing Essentials

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • May 10, 2022
Compare Marketing Essentials Vs. VisitorTrack

Marketing Essentials is a growing cloud-based Marketing Automation software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Marketing Essentials received a rating of 4.4 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1.8/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


51. Salesoar

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • May 18, 2022
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The easiest solution for the efficient creation and management of large-scale search engine advertising campaigns for eCommerce.


52. FoxMetrics

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $20 per month
  • Apr 07, 2021
Compare FoxMetrics Vs. VisitorTrack

FoxMetrics is a customer analytics and targeting solution for businesses of all sizes. Important services include customer tracking, real time mobile analytics, e-commerce, and marketing management etc. The software was designed and launched by Rawsoft Inc headquartered in Oregon, United...


53. Pando

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $10 per month
  • Apr 19, 2021
Compare Pando Vs. VisitorTrack

Pando is a growing cloud-based Web hosting software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Pando received a rating of 4.5 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered average (3.5/5) when compared to other solutions in their category.


54. GatorAutomation

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Oct 12, 2019
Compare GatorAutomation Vs. VisitorTrack

GatorAutomation is a growing cloud-based Marketing Automation software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. GatorAutomation received a rating of 4.6 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (2/5) when compared to alternative solutions.



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. 

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2023 best Marketing Automation 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.