Top 50 Talent Management Software (Jan 2024)

2023's Best 51 Talent Management Systems

Shlomi LaviShlomi Lavi / Jan 22, 2024

We publish unbiased reviews. Our opinions are our own and are not influenced by payments from advertisers. This content is reader-supported, which means if you leave your details with us we may earn a commission. Learn why ITQlick is free .

1. Ziprecruiter

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $249 per month
  • Mar 08, 2022
Compare Ziprecruiter Vs. Ziprecruiter

ZipRecruiter is a job board software that can help user to post jobs to more than 50 job boards with just one submission. Users can manage their candidates and jobs in one place and make the hiring process faster, cheaper and easier using this online job distribution solution. ZipRecruite...


2. iCIMS Talent Platform

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $1,700 per month
  • Aug 16, 2022
Compare iCIMS Talent Platform Vs. Ziprecruiter

iCIMS Talent Platform is a cloud-hosted Talent Acquisition and Management Software that lets the users to easily manage the lifecycle of a candidate. It features a TextRecruit module which is a mobile communication platform that offers text messaging, natural language processing and live chat.


3. Crelate Talent

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $69 per user/month
  • Mar 09, 2022
Compare Crelate Talent Vs. Ziprecruiter

Crelate Talent is an applicant tracking software solution for small and medium businesses. It also offers talent relationship management, interview and workflow management, screening and sourcing, and other services. The software was designed and launched by Crelate Inc headquartered in ...


4. CE Manager

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price:
  • Apr 30, 2022
Compare CE Manager Vs. Ziprecruiter

CE manager is a cloud-based talent management software. The software was developed to help legal and accounting firms manage the human resource aspect of their organization. The intuitive nature of the software means it is an ideal tool for harnessing the potentials of the members of the staff of an...


5. Kira Talent

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $249 per user/month
  • Jul 08, 2022
Compare Kira Talent Vs. Ziprecruiter

Kira Talent is a web based video interviewing software solution for businesses of all sizes. It helps in the creation and customization of video interviews and offers recruiting analytics. The software was designed and launched by Kira Talent headquartered in Ontario, Canada.


6. Halogen Talent Management Suite

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $4,000 per year
  • Jun 30, 2022
Compare Halogen Talent Management Suite Vs. Ziprecruiter

Halogen Talent Management Suite is a web based employee assessment system. Since 2001, Halogen facilitated the process of building and maintaining a strong workforce. Talent Management software helps recruiting managers to track applicants and remain co-ordinated during the interview procedure. This...


7. TalentQuest

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Aug 26, 2022
Compare TalentQuest Vs. Ziprecruiter

TalentQuest is a cloud-based human resource as well as employee engagement software solution. The software seeks to adjust the efficiency of employee hiring, employee management, employee growth, and development, as well as retaining top-talent.


8. TalentHire

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $105 per month
  • May 16, 2022
Compare TalentHire Vs. Ziprecruiter

TalentHire is a cloud based platform that offers recruitment management, applicant tracking, job posting, requisition management, and onboarding solutions. A mobile app is also available for both Android and iOS devices. Developed by CEIPAL LLC, it is an open source platform for reciting and applica...


9. Lumesse ETWeb

  • Best for: Large business
  • Price: starts at $1 per user/month
  • Nov 04, 2022
Compare Lumesse ETWeb Vs. Ziprecruiter

Lumesse ETWeb is talent management software that provides business insights to users. Lumesse ETWeb helps with employee engagement, impact retention, performance, productivity and learning. The product was developed by Lumesse, formerly known as StepStone Solutions. Since its launch in 2003, Lumess...


10. CivilSoft Talent Acquisition

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $15,000 per license
  • Apr 25, 2022
Compare CivilSoft Talent Acquisition Vs. Ziprecruiter

CivilSoft Talent Acquisition is a talent management software that helps businesses make hiring decisions. It enables users to manage budgets and plan requirements & expenses.


Pricing Guide - Talent Management Software:

Human Resources Software Products Price Range

HRIS comes with different prices, which are usually determined by either number of employees or the number of users. Either way, HR Tools pricing ranges from $5–$15 and $16–$25 per employee per month; for most providers, these prices are also set based on the robustness of the chosen package feature-wise, and they may not include fees for setup or training.

However, HR software that are priced based on the number of users may have slightly higher prices because, unlike ones with per employee prices, they do not require an organization to pay for every employee but, instead, employees that are actively using the tools. For example, Conrep is priced at around $30 per user per month, while HRnest costs around $20 per employee per month. Another instance is HRnest, which costs $1 per employee, provided its paid in bulk for 35 employees each, and 2 feature plugins, which cost $40 and $60 respectively, must be paid for alongside.

In addition, HRIS pricings are adjusted by most vendors, depending on the business size.

  • Small Businesses can expect around $5 for a single employee or nothing at all, as some software makes their basic HR features free for small workforces. Some examples are PeopleBookHR, Snappi, and IceHRM. At the same time, premium HR providers like VAIRKKO Suite costs $1 monthly per employee, Optimity pricing is around $5 monthly per user, and Attendee HRM costs $28 per year to manage 28 employees.
  • Medium Businesses that need more robust HRIS features can expect to pay between $5–$15 per employee. For instance, ICMIS Recruit costs around $6,000 per year to manage between 51–100 employees, Info:HR charges a one-time fee of $2800, and FingerCheck pricing is priced at $200 monthly for 50 employees.
  • Large Businesses can expect to pay less on a per-employee basis because the logic is the more the employee, the lesser the fee. However, the number of features and onboarding costs may cost more. For instance, FingerCheck costs $1,600 monthly for 500 employees and Britix24 $199 per month.

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

  • Applicant Tracking Tools While some applicant tracking apps are priced per job posting, businesses can, however, expect to pay between $19–$28, $28–$49, and $49 upwards per user, per month. For instance, Yahoo Indeed costs around $150 per month, Monster TMS costs $5,000 per year while Manatal pricing is charged at $15 per user per month.
  • Performance Appraisal Software Like most applicant tracking solutions, performance appraisal pricing is based on a "per user, per month" basis. So, business enterprises can expect to pay between $1 to $4, $4 to $10, and $10 upwards. Note that the package type is also a determining factor for performance appraisal tool pricing, as some packages have more features than others. The pricing of some performance appraisal appls like Performly Talent starts from $2 monthly per user, Small Improvements from $5 per user per year, and AssessTEAM costs $1 monthly per user.
  • Onboarding Software Onboarding Tools are also priced on a "per user, per month" basis. Users can expect to pay between $1 and $12 upwards. However, these prices are mostly for entry-level prices found on vendor website; more robust packages may be slightly higher, depending on the number of users. For example, Boardon costs $50 per month for a bunch of active users, EmployeeConnect $6 monthly per user, and WISP pricing falls around $50 depending on company size.
  • 360 Degree Feedback 360 Degree feedback products mostly have per month pricings. In this case, companies can expect to pay between $1 and $149 and above. Again, these prices depend on the number of features the vendor is offering. Examples are Click-360 costs between $7-$55 per report, SurveyLab $29 per month, and Bloomin costs $4 monthly per user.
  • Payroll The pricing for payroll products is usually divided into three tiers and priced per user per month. Enterprises can expect to pay between $1 to $5, $5 to $12, and above $12 per user, per month and depending on the tier. For instance, Payroll Mate is priced around $120 per year ($15 per month) and Payment Evolution Payroll costs $22 monthly per user. Alternatively, some payroll products have a one-time payment; examples are Accounting Xpert costs around $1,500 for one user, and Brightpay pricing is around $300.

11. Skills Base

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $1 per user/month
  • May 21, 2022
Compare Skills Base Vs. Ziprecruiter

Skills Base is a talent management software that helps organizations assess team members, track, record, and report skills.


12. BirdDogHR Talent Management Suite-Performance

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Dec 13, 2022
Compare BirdDogHR Talent Management Suite-Performance Vs. Ziprecruiter

BirdDogHR Talent Management Suite is a human resources software that tackles every problem faced by HR managers. From helping you with hiring processes to managing employees performance, the software can take a lot of work off your shoulder, yet helping you to develop and keep an experienced team to...


13. Cinode

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $14.07 per month
  • Jan 15, 2023
Compare Cinode Vs. Ziprecruiter

Cinode identifies which skills you have and which you lack. Make the right decisions about upskilling, reskilling, and recruitment. Match the right challenge with available skills and personal ambition and you will become more profitable and more attractive as an employer.


14. Napta

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $10 per month
  • Jun 09, 2023
Compare Napta Vs. Ziprecruiter

We are very proud of the evolution of PickYourSkills and all the collaborations we achieved in only 4 years of existence. Today we are announcing our change of identity to a new brand that will better reflect our mission to help companies maximize engagement and performance through informed, transpa...


15. EmployPlan

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $10 per person/month
  • Jan 22, 2024
Compare EmployPlan Vs. Ziprecruiter

In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of project management and human resources, staying on top of employee development, skills matching, and recruitment planning can be a daunting task. However, with EmployPlan, these challenges are now transformed into seamless processes that can be achieved w...


16. Technomedia Talent Management Suite

  • Best for: Large business
  • Price:
  • Dec 20, 2022
Compare Technomedia Talent Management Suite Vs. Ziprecruiter

Technomedia Talent Management Suite (now known as Cegid Talent Management) is a cloud-based Human Resource software that allows its customers to analyze the key factors in their organizations HR management, as well as overseeing the development of the overall BI (Business Intelligence) of the organi...


17. LightWork Talent Management Software

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Jul 24, 2022
Compare LightWork Talent Management Software Vs. Ziprecruiter

Lightwork Software is a talent management software that provides managers and employees with the basic tools and methods needed to automate and improve communication between both parties.


18. Technomedia Talent Management

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Jul 29, 2022
Compare Technomedia Talent Management Vs. Ziprecruiter

Technomedia, now Cegid, is a talent management software designed to help businesses manage their processes while adhering to all compliance standards, maintaining high performance and security.


19. eightfold.ai

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $4,129 per license
  • Sep 10, 2022
Compare eightfold.ai Vs. Ziprecruiter

Eightfold.ai is a talent management software that helps companies find, hire, and maintain their workforce using a single system. In addition, it helps users understand IT and Digital skills and connect these skills to the right opportunity in the company.


20. Skills DB Pro

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $75 per month
  • Sep 29, 2022
Compare Skills DB Pro Vs. Ziprecruiter

Skills DB Pro is a cloud-based as well as an on-premise talent management solution that can also be used as a human resource management software. The software is developed to be utilized by either business in all types of industries such as construction, manufacturing, and recruiting firms as well a...


21. TalentBin

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $5,000 per year
  • May 07, 2022
Compare TalentBin Vs. Ziprecruiter

TalentBin software is a cloud-hosted applicant tracking and recruitment management solution that supports businesses of every size. It is a talent search engine designed to utilize the entire web to identify unfindable technical talent.


22. Lumesse TalentLink

  • Best for: Start up, Small business, Medium business, Large business
  • Price:
  • Oct 03, 2022
Compare Lumesse TalentLink Vs. Ziprecruiter

Lumesse TalentLink is a cloud based talent acquisition and management solution. It provides a comprehensive tool to identify the correct people, acquire & train them, and then ensure that are invested in so that they can productively contribute to the organization. Lumesse is a company focused on...


23. Hello Talent

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $49 per user/month
  • Oct 18, 2022
Compare Hello Talent Vs. Ziprecruiter

Hello Talent is a leading cloud-based Human Resources software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Hello Talent received a rating of 4.4 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1.5/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


24. CompetencyCore

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Feb 12, 2022
Compare CompetencyCore Vs. Ziprecruiter

CompetencyCore Software is a cloud based HR management software suite that is designed to help organizations get the desired candidates from a recruiting process. It provides the business with a hub they require to place competencies at the heart of their human resource and talent management program...


25. HRadvocate

  • Best for: Medium business
  • Price:
  • Feb 08, 2022
Compare HRadvocate Vs. Ziprecruiter

HRadvocate from Web4 is arguably the best HRIS system for the middle market. It offers complete applicant and employee lifecycle management. HRadvocate enables companies to find the best candidates, leverage their talent, align employee ambitions with corporate goals, maximize the impact of training...


26. SumTotal Talent Expansion

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $10,000 per license
  • Feb 08, 2022
Compare SumTotal Talent Expansion Vs. Ziprecruiter

SumTotal Talent Expansion is a cloud-based recruitment software as well as human resource software that majorly caters for talent haunting and recognizing high performers within an organization as well as rewarding them.


27. WCN Talent Acquisition Suite Software

  • Best for: Large business
  • Price: starts at $24,000 per year
  • Oct 20, 2022
Compare WCN Talent Acquisition Suite Software Vs. Ziprecruiter

Oleeo is a growing cloud-based Human Resources software, it is designed to support large size business. Oleeo received a rating of 4 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (2.4/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


28. TalentBridge iHiring

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Feb 14, 2022
Compare TalentBridge iHiring Vs. Ziprecruiter

iHiring is a web based assessment and recruiting solution for businesses of all sizes. Its capabilities include configurable assessment modules, JD creation, assessments publishing, and others. The software was desinged and launched by TalentBridge Technologies Pvt Ltd headquartered in Bangalore, In...


29. HealthcareSource

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Oct 27, 2022
Compare HealthcareSource Vs. Ziprecruiter

HealthcareSource is a web-based talent management software solution specially designed for healthcare organizations. The software ensures that all the employees have got clear job descriptions aligning with the organization goals once they are on-boarded. HealthcareSource is the only vendor to provi...


30. Ascendify Talent Cloud Platform

  • Best for: Large business
  • Price: starts at $5,000 per month
  • Mar 07, 2022
Compare Ascendify Talent Cloud Platform Vs. Ziprecruiter

Ascendify is a talent and recruitment management solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers such services as talent management, relationship building, candidate database, and others. The software was designed and launched by Ascendify headquartered in California, United States.


31. IBM Talent Management

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $5,000 per license
  • Mar 22, 2022
Compare IBM Talent Management Vs. Ziprecruiter

IBM Talent Management is a cloud-based software that provides companies with the necessary tools they need to acquire, train and develop talents. It is a solution to the human resource needs of establishments, and it helps them to hire and develop the right people to create value for their establish...


32. Talentsquare

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $49 per job/month
  • Mar 24, 2022
Compare Talentsquare Vs. Ziprecruiter

Talentsquare is a web based applicant tracking solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers such services as sourcing and screening, interview and workflow management, and tracking etc. The software was designed and launched by Alpsquare headquartered in Belgium.


33. Voyager Talent Management

  • Best for: Small businesses and start ups
  • Price: starts at $1 per user/month
  • Mar 28, 2022
Compare Voyager Talent Management Vs. Ziprecruiter

Voyager Talent Management is an HR and workforce management solution for businesses of all sizes. Other than 360 degree feedback, it offers employee evaluation forms, performance appraisals, and other services. The software was designed and launched by Vivify Software LLC headquartered in North Caro...


34. Talentpool

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Apr 05, 2022
Compare Talentpool Vs. Ziprecruiter

Talentpool is a recruiting and talent management solution for businesses of all sizes. It helps organizations meet their recruiting targets and ensures the implementation of specific policies. The software was designed and launched by Nitman Software headquartered in Maharashtra, India.


35. Deltek Talent Management

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • May 16, 2022
Compare Deltek Talent Management Vs. Ziprecruiter

Deltek Talent Management is an award-winning cloud-based Human Resources software, it is designed to support medium and large size business. Deltek Talent Management received a rating of 4 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered average (3/5) when compared to other solutions in their cat...


36. Talent Analytics

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Apr 06, 2020
Compare Talent Analytics Vs. Ziprecruiter

Talent Analytics is a growing cloud-based Human Resources software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Talent Analytics received a rating of 4.8 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered average (3.5/5) when compared to other solutions in their category.


37. Talent Transition Platform

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $24 per month
  • Jul 21, 2022
Compare Talent Transition Platform Vs. Ziprecruiter

Talent Transition Platform is a web based human resource management solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers such capabilities as benefits administration, self-service portal, job automation, and others. The software was designed and launched by JobPad Inc headquartered in New Jersey, United ...


38. Talentia HCM

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Jul 21, 2022
Compare Talentia HCM Vs. Ziprecruiter

Talentia HCM is a web based human resource management solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers such capabilities as recruitment management, vacation and leave tracking, employee lifecycle management, and others. The software was designed and launched by Talentia Software headquartered in the ...


39. TalentObjects

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Apr 16, 2020
Compare TalentObjects Vs. Ziprecruiter

TalentObjects is a trending cloud-based Human Resources software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. TalentObjects received a rating of 3.3 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered average (3.2/5) when compared to other solutions in their category.


40. Total Talent Management

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price:
  • Jul 20, 2022
Compare Total Talent Management Vs. Ziprecruiter

Total Talent Management is a web based learning management solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers such capabilities as course development, learning administration, multiple assessment methods, and others. The software was designed and launched by PeopleFluent headquartered in Massachusetts,...


41. TalentFilter

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price:
  • Nov 29, 2022
Compare TalentFilter Vs. Ziprecruiter

TalentDrive is a web based applicant tracking solution for businesses of all sizes. It offers such services as sourcing and screening, interview and workflow management, reporting, and others. The software was designed and launched by TalentDrive headquartered in Illinois, United States.


42. bet4talent

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $149 per month
  • Apr 16, 2020
Compare bet4talent Vs. Ziprecruiter

bet4talent is a fast growing cloud-based Human Resources software, it is designed to support small and medium size business. bet4talent received a rating of 4.8 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered average (3.2/5) when compared to other solutions in their category.


43. Skills2Talent

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price: starts at $3 per user/month
  • Jul 20, 2022
Compare Skills2Talent Vs. Ziprecruiter

Skills2Talent is a fast growing cloud-based Human Resources software, it is designed to support small and medium size business. Skills2Talent received a rating of 4 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (2.4/5) when compared to alternative solutions.


44. Talentpath

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Apr 16, 2020
Compare Talentpath Vs. Ziprecruiter

Talentpath is an award-winning cloud-based Human Resources software, it is designed to support medium and large size business. Talentpath received a rating of 3.1 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered average (2.8/5) when compared to other solutions in their category.


45. NetDimensions Talent Suite

  • Best for: SMBs
  • Price:
  • Apr 16, 2020
Compare NetDimensions Talent Suite Vs. Ziprecruiter

NetDimensions Talent Suite is a fast growing cloud-based Human Resources software, it is designed to support small and medium size business. NetDimensions Talent Suite received a rating of 4.7 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered affordable (1.8/5) when compared to alternative solutio...


46. Talent Management System

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Apr 16, 2020
Compare Talent Management System Vs. Ziprecruiter

HireCraft Talent Management is a talent management suite designed to help users transform people activities and project management tasks into an organized platform where all the resources are tracked to the required level. The solution is built on SOA architecture and features both Rich Clien...


47. Talent Acquisition

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $5 per user/month
  • Apr 16, 2020
Compare Talent Acquisition Vs. Ziprecruiter

HRMC Talent Acquisition is a talent outreach and engagement solution for small and medium businesses. It standardizes best hiring practices and offers real time drive tests for candidates. The software is a product of Human Resource Management Center, Inc. headquartered in Florida, Unite...


48. Bond Talent

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Apr 16, 2020
Compare Bond Talent Vs. Ziprecruiter

Bond Talent is a fast growing cloud-based Human Resources software, it is designed to support small, medium and large size business. Bond Talent received a rating of 4.8 from ITQlick team. The software cost is considered average (3.4/5) when compared to other solutions in their category.


49. Global HR & Talent Management

  • Best for: Medium and large size businesses
  • Price:
  • Apr 16, 2020
Compare Global HR & Talent Management Vs. Ziprecruiter

Cezanne HR offers a Human Resource management solution. The product includes three main modules which cover people management, absence management and performance management. The company Cezanne HR is located in the United Kingdom and is focused on delivering HR solutions globally. The company’s o...


50. JobOn

  • Best for: Small, medium and large size businesses
  • Price: starts at $250 per license
  • Dec 20, 2022
Compare JobOn Vs. Ziprecruiter

JobOn is a recruitment and talent management solution for businesses of all sizes. Its capabilities include scheduling, interview management, sourcing and screening, and others. The software was designed and launched by JobOn Corporation headquartered in Maryland, United States.



A Buyer's Guide to Business Software Solutions

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

ITQlick chart - 2023 best Talent Management Software

2023 best Talent Management Software | ITQlick.com

Finding the right business software for your business
Proper business software selections are the precursor to successful deployment and business growth. Finding the right solutions doesnít have to be complicated, and it doesnít have to take days or weeks of your time.

After researching over 5,000 systems, we can identify the best solution for companies of all shapes and sizes. ITQlick.com is 100% free for software buyers.



Recent Talent Management Articles

23 Mar

Top 5 Talent Management Systems in 2018

Talent management is a complex job that requires more than just a natural sense of being great in dealing with people. This is especially true when managing a large pool of talent or human resources. You can make great use of various forms of support or assistance, like using a talent management sys......


Auditor - Shlomi Lavi

Website Linkedin profile Facebook Twitter

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.