Top 50 Online Meeting Software (Aug 2023)

2023's Best 51 Online Meeting Systems

Shlomi LaviShlomi Lavi / Aug 16, 2023

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1. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $2 per user/month
  • Mar 08, 2022
Compare Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Skype for Business (formerly Lync) software is a cloud-based Conference Calling software that enables users to host HD calling for multiple people. It allows them to organize meetings, record calls, and integrate Live Captioning to conference call sessions.


2. 8x8 Contact Center

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $15 per user/month
  • Mar 09, 2022
Compare 8x8 Contact Center Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

8x8 Virtual Contact Center is a cloud-based call center solution that delivers greater productivity and flexible call center management. It works with 8x8 Virtual Office VoIP phone service to give users an easy-to-use yet extremely powerful contact center.   8x8 Virtual Contact Center was develope...


3. RingCentral Phone

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $19.99 per user/month
  • Mar 10, 2022
Compare RingCentral Phone Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

RingCentral Professional is a cloud-based phone & call management system designed to serve businesses on the go. The platform helps the users to get directory listings, local business phone numbers that are toll-free and portrays a professional image.


4. TeamViewer

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $23.90 per user/month
  • Mar 11, 2022
Compare TeamViewer Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

TeamViewer is a cloud-based Video Conferencing software that enables its users to manage their network operations through an integrated monitoring solution.


5. Business Voice

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $24.95 per month
  • Mar 03, 2022
Compare Business Voice Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Business Voice by PanTerra offers users with the right tools for their phone and call management needs.


6. Five9 Cloud Contact Center

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $100 per feature/month
  • Apr 03, 2022
Compare Five9 Cloud Contact Center Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Five9 Cloud Contact is a cloud-based contact center software helping users in the management of their inbound and outbound, multi-channel or blended contact centers.


7. Adobe Connect

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $50 per host/month
  • May 13, 2022
Compare Adobe Connect Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Adobe Connect is a web conferencing and communication solution for businesses of all sizes. Other than conferencing, it also offers invitation and security capabilities. The software was designed and launched by Adobe Systems Inc headquartered in California, United States.


8. Highfive

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price: starts at $15 per user/month
  • May 31, 2022
Compare Highfive Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Highfive software is a cloud-hosted video conferencing & collaboration platform that enables web conferencing, video conferencing and screen sharing in an organization.


9. ShoreTel Sky

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $40 per user/month
  • Jul 06, 2022
Compare ShoreTel Sky Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Mitel Sky is a cloud-based telephony and VoIP solution designed to help the users in unified communication. The core solution includes wireless networking, video surveillance & management and emergency notifications and more.


10. Vonage Business Solutions

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $19.99 per month
  • Aug 25, 2022
Compare Vonage Business Solutions Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Vonage Business Solutions is a cloud-based communication software that is developed to provide business phone service by enabling businesses to connect VoIP phone systems to internet-enabled devices.


Pricing Guide - Online Meeting Software:

Business Phone Systems Price Range

Organizations would typically have to pay up between $17 and up to $1000 for Business Phone Systems software. However, the Price differs between Hosted systems and on-premise ones, and the majority of vendors charge their software cost per user. Additional billing can be present for services such as VoIP-Traditional Phone switch, Broadband, and Hosting. Users can also consider price points for some of these software products by their fit for company size, such as is follows:

  • Small scale businesses can expect to pay between $15 and $40 a month for VoIP Business Phone Systems. For example, GoToConnect and RingCentral Office pricing both begin at $20 a month, Dialpad Talk cost price at $15 per month, and Mitel pricing goes for $21 monthly. Furthermore, Ooma Office has a base subscription of $20 per month, with another Pro plan at $25 monthly. Vonage Business Solutions charges $15 per month for each line, and users can get an extension for $40 a month per line.
  • Medium-sized organizations would typically find software with cost price ranging between $95 and $179 monthly. For example, CallRails Business subscriptions start at $95 a month, REIRail Gold pricing begins at $97 per month, and MeetingSphere costs $99 monthly. Also, Dixa has a Professional plan which costs $99 a month, a Premium and Platinum plan that goes for $139 and $179 per month, respectively.
  • Large Corporations generally have to pay up to $1500 a month for VoIP BPS software. DCDial, for example, has a Grow plan, which begins at $899 a month, with the option to a Pro subscription, which costs $1499 per month. BoardBookIt Professional pricing starts at $585 a month, with an enterprise plan which has a cost price of $792 monthly. Additionally, Brazen pricing begins at $1999 for each event.

Some of the best of breeds have cost prices that lie within distinct price ranges; the analyses of their pricing are as follows:

  • VoIP Phone Systems These software products exist within the price range of $30-$45 a month. For example, Versature Essentials cost $30 per month, and its user can opt for the Professional and Enterprise plans, both of which go for $35 and $45 a month, respectively. MiCloud Connect has a starting cost price of $21 per month for each user, with Premier and Elite subscriptions, which costs $27 and $38 monthly. Furthermore, pricing for MightyCall starts at $20 a month, TeamViewer at $49 per month, and ConnectWise One at $19 monthly.
  • VoIP SoftPhones Users would generally have to pay between $0 and $100 a month for VoIP Softphone software. For instance, Freshcaller Sprout is free, and its users can procure Blossom or Garden subscriptions for $19 and $39 a month, respectively. Furthermore, Nice inContact pricing starts at $100 monthly for each user and Intulse at $15 a month.
  • Auto Attendant Systems Auto Attendant System products have prices that could reach up to $1000 a month. For example, Voximplant has a Small subscription which starts at $100 a month, and a Medium Messaging plan at $1000 per month. MightyCall pricing goes for $20 a month, and Sharpen cost price begins at $25 monthly – Sharpen also has an Empower plan that costs $119 per month.
  • Small Business Phone Systems Users can expect a price range of $15-$65 for Small Business Phone Systems software. SIP.US cost price, for example, starts at $25 monthly, ActiveDEMAND pricing begins at $15 a month and goes up to $65 per month.
  • Online Meeting Software These products have cost prices between $7 and $32 a month. Cisco Webex Starter pricing is $14 per month for each host, Doodle Team costs $32 a month, and SamePage goes for $8 monthly. Livestorm also begins at $39 monthly.
  • Business Phone Service Providers Vendors of Business Phone Service Provider software generally charge between $20 and $100 per month for starter subscriptions. Genesys Cloud 1 pricing starts at $75 a month, CallHippo Bronze at $18 monthly, and MeetFox at $11 per month.
  • Conference Calling Software These software products have cost prices up to $199 a month. For example, HighFive pricing starts at $199 per month for each room, LoopUp costs $22 monthly, and Vectera Pro at $9 each month per host.

11. TimeCamp Software

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $6.30 per user/month
  • Sep 02, 2022
Compare TimeCamp Software Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

TimeCamp Software can be installed on-premise or hosted on the cloud. It is a time tracking as well as project management software that allows project managers to collaborate with the team handling a certain project, monitor the status of the project, and track billable hours.


12. eyeson

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $6.30 per user/month
  • May 16, 2022
Compare eyeson Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Eyeson is a video conferencing software which provides secure online meetings for customers meeting, internal team meeting, and consultation.


13. Optimy Software

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $6,500 per year
  • May 24, 2022
Compare Optimy Software Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Optimy is a SaaS-based Nonprofit software that assists sponsors in managing their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) operations through optimizations and measurements.


14. Seismic

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $20 per month
  • Jun 07, 2022
Compare Seismic Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Seismic is a cloud-based document management software that assists managers in including dynamic elements to existing content and assets using content creation and publishing tools.


15. ReadyTalk

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $12 per user/month
  • Jun 16, 2022
Compare ReadyTalk Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

ReadyTalk is a team collaboration software designed as a full-stack solution for cloud communications. Users of this software can also set up meetings with collaborative audio and videos, and it supports webinars and webcasts, which includes webcam and content sharing, as well as high-capacity globa...


16. Robin Powered

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $1,500 per year
  • Jun 22, 2022
Compare Robin Powered Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Robin Powered is a facility management software that focuses on helping organizations connect every worker to a system that aides the ability to use, understand, and maximize workplace spaces such as conference rooms.


17. itPBX

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $19.95 per user/month
  • Jun 25, 2022
Compare itPBX Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

itPBX is a business VoIP solution designed for businesses of all sizes. It offers such capabilities as call center management, contact management, predictive dialing, and others. The software was designed and launched by itPBX headquartered in North Carolina, United States.


18. Function 365

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Aug 16, 2023
Compare Function 365 Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

If you are looking for a cloud-based practice management software that can help you streamline your operations, enhance patient care, and boost efficiency, then Function 365 is a great option.


19. Zendesk Sell

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $49 per user/month
  • Jan 05, 2023
Compare Zendesk Sell Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Zendesk for Sales is a customer relationship management software that helps sales personnel to win more customers and close more deals. With this software, users can create and save unlimited email templates, receive email insights and alerts on their mobile phones or tablets, and get alerts when a ...


20. DLS Hosted PBX

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $195 per user/month
  • Dec 20, 2022
Compare DLS Hosted PBX Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

DLS Hosted PBX is a Voice over IP (VoIP) business phone system designed to converge voice, videos, faxes, conferencing and messaging for the users’ business. This software aims to empower the users’ business in enhancing customer responsiveness.


21. MegaPath Unified Threat Management

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $14.95 per month
  • Dec 19, 2022
Compare MegaPath Unified Threat Management Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

MegaPath Unified Threat Management is a threat protection and intrusion detection solution for businesses of all sizes. Its capabilities include advanced firewall protection, web filtering, network intrusion detection, and others. The software was designed and launched by MegaPath headquartered in C...


22. Benchmark PM

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Aug 05, 2023
Compare Benchmark PM Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Benchmark PM is a cloud-based practice management software that helps healthcare providers streamline their administrative tasks, improve their billing processes, and track their financial performance. The software offers a variety of features, including scheduling, billing, electronic health record...


23. DigiQure

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: Has a free version
  • Aug 14, 2023
Compare DigiQure Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

DigiQure is an electronic medical record (EMR) system that helps healthcare providers improve the quality of care they deliver to their patients. It is a cloud-based software that can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. DigiQure offers a wide range of features, including:


24. Fuze

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $15 per user/month
  • Jul 19, 2022
Compare Fuze Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Fuze software is an online meeting solution designed to work across a wide range of devices and also integrates with the old style video conferencing systems.


25. MyOwnConference

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $29 per month
  • Jul 23, 2022
Compare MyOwnConference Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

MyOwnConference is a cloud-based webinar software that enables facilitators to push email notifications for meetings and manage broadcasts for multiple simultaneous presentations.


26. ContactWorld Software

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Jul 29, 2022
Compare ContactWorld Software Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

ContactWrold software is a Cloud-hosted Contact Centre software that is built for Salesforce. The platform allows businesses to connect their agents instantly to customers and prospects over the phone, social media or through email. ContactWorls software is a product of NewVoiceMedia, a company esta...


27. Cisco Business Edition 6000

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $210 per license
  • Aug 16, 2022
Compare Cisco Business Edition 6000 Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Cisco Business Edition 6000 (or simply BE6000) is a VoIP phone system program helping users to have an affordable business phone tool helping them to connect with their customers as well as collaborate within the teams.


28. App Data Room

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $21 per user/month
  • Sep 26, 2022
Compare App Data Room Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

App Data Room is a trending cloud-based Document Management software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. App Data Room received a rating of 4.2 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (2.1/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


29. FluentStream Call Center

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $20 per user/month
  • Sep 29, 2022
Compare FluentStream Call Center Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

FluentStream Call Center is a contact center management software offering users with dynamic solutions for business phone systems.


30. Truly Wireless

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $500 per month
  • Sep 29, 2022
Compare Truly Wireless Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Truly Wireless offers users with Voice over IP (VoIP) solutions that will help them create the suitable sales machine through capturing, measuring, comprehending and responding to all of the users’ phone call data.


31. TAMPLO

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $5.36 per user/month
  • Oct 12, 2022
Compare TAMPLO Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

TAMPLO Software is an integrated cloud-based task management and scheduling solution built for small, medium-sized and large businesses. The main features of TAMPLO Software include action-item tracking, agenda management, board & internal meetings management, and post-meeting tools among others.


32. Verizon UCCaaS

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $30 per line
  • Jan 30, 2023
Compare Verizon UCCaaS Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Verizon’s Unified Communication and Collaboration as a Service or simply UCCaaS is a managed and hosted service grounded on Hosted Collaboration Solution of Cisco. This software is designed to deliver cloud-based business-grade communications and collaboration services, in which users can experience...


33. Zoiper

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $5 per license
  • Feb 11, 2022
Compare Zoiper Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Zoiper is a custom softphone and VoIP system that is accessible through the Web. It can also be deployed on-premise. It provides solutions for call centers, service providers, mobile operators VoIP integrators and businesses needing softphones that are autonomous of their service provider.


34. XLite

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $3 per user/month
  • Feb 11, 2022
Compare XLite Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

X-Lite is CounterPath’s solution to helping users in seamlessly transitioning from the traditional phone systems to the modern Voice over IP (VoIP) by integrating video calls and voice in an easy to navigate UI.


35. Versature

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $30 per user/month
  • Feb 16, 2022
Compare Versature Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

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


36. AT&T UC Voice

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $35 per user/month
  • Feb 26, 2022
Compare AT&T UC Voice Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

AT&T Unified Communications Voice or simply UC Voice offers users with integrated solutions through Voice over IP/VoIP. This software brings tools together such as conferencing, instant messaging, voice calling and email. It is easy to use and navigate and does not require specialized training or sk...


37. inZite

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $75 per user/month
  • Mar 15, 2022
Compare inZite Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

inZite is a leading cloud-based BI software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. inZite received a rating of 2.5 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered average (2.8/5) when compared to other solutions in their category.


38. Sharpen

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $25 per user/month
  • Aug 26, 2022
Compare Sharpen Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Sharpen is a leading cloud-based Call Center software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size call centers. Sharpen received a rating of 4.4 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1.2/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


39. Onstream Meetings

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $49 per user/month
  • Feb 28, 2022
Compare Onstream Meetings Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Onstream Meetings is a web conferencing and collaboration solution for businesses of all sizes. It also offers assistance for priority meetings, collaborative meetings, and sales calls etc. The software was designed and launched by Onstream Media Corporation headquartered in Florida, Uni...


40. Speakeasy

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $10 per user/month
  • Feb 25, 2022
Compare Speakeasy Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Speakeasy is a growing cloud-based Video Conferencing software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Speakeasy received a rating of 2.5 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1.2/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


41. Mikogo

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $14 per month
  • Mar 04, 2022
Compare Mikogo Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Mikogo is a web conferencing solution designed to help users host meetings, provide remote support or deliver presentations easily. Participants can directly join meetings using a web browser and doesn’t require installing any plugin or download. Mikogo was launched back in 2007 and has ...


42. ContactMonkey

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $10 per user/month
  • Feb 01, 2022
Compare ContactMonkey Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

ContactMonkey is an online marketing software that enables professionals to track emails to follow up on leads, as well as managing employee communication using custom email templates.


43. Nextiva Office

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $14.95 per user/month
  • Mar 30, 2022
Compare Nextiva Office Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Nextiva Office is a communications platform that gives users robust business phone features at an affordable price. This platform is designed to be easy to use, manageable, scalable, reliable and with enterprise-level functionality.


44. UniVoIP

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $18.95 per user/month
  • May 09, 2022
Compare UniVoIP Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

UniVoIP is a Voice over IP/VoIP contact management solution designed to secure business communication collaboration and mobility in the cloud.


45. Jumplead

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $49 per month
  • May 12, 2022
Compare Jumplead Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Landing pages and forms. Email marketing. Marketing automation. Lead Management. Live chat & Messaging.


46. Lucid Meetings

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $19 per user/month
  • Aug 07, 2019
Compare Lucid Meetings Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Lucid Meetings is a leading cloud-based Video Conferencing software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Lucid Meetings received a rating of 3.6 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1.6/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


47. BlueSnap

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Oct 08, 2019
Compare BlueSnap Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

BlueSnap is a growing cloud-based eCommerce software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. BlueSnap received a rating of 4.5 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (2.2/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


48. Core-apps

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $3,750 per license
  • Oct 24, 2019
Compare Core-apps Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Core-apps is a growing cloud-based Event Management software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Core-apps received a rating of 4.5 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (2.2/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


49. Linkd

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Mar 04, 2020
Compare Linkd Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

LinkD is a construction software built to help enterprises manage their construction ecosystem. From safety tracking to team collaboration, this software helps workers to capture work progress to ensure safety, as well as enable administrators to set permissions on what project files can be accessed...


50. Sametime

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $60 per user/month
  • Oct 29, 2019
Compare Sametime Vs. Skype for Business (formerly Lync) Software

Sametime is a growing cloud-based VoIP software, it is designed to support medium and large size business. Sametime received a rating of 4.2 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered average (3.9/5) when compared to other solutions in their category.



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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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.