Evaluating Construction Software Packages

Q:
Our company has outgrown our current construction software package, and we’d like to upgrade to something more powerful. We’ve done a lot of research and narrowed down the potential products to a handful of options that meet our needs. In addition to price, what considerations are important?

A:
Price is only one of many things to investigate when purchasing new construction software. You are not only investing in a product but also committing to a long-term relationship with the software vendor. You will need to focus on three key features when it comes to evaluating new products: company, product and technology.

Let’s start with the company. Deal with a company that has a strong track record in your industry, not some fly-by-night start-up.

Ask if the company is the true author of the product or a value-added reseller (VAR). There are important differences between these two options. Traditionally, an author has greater control over ongoing product development, customer support and programming changes. This leads to quicker response time when you have questions and gives you a product that is continually enhanced to meet your changing needs. Check the references of all companies on your short list, inquiring about both the product and the quality of customer support. Consider whether the company develops one single best-of-breed product dedicated exclusively to your industry or if it offers a variety of products and services.

Next, investigate the product and technology on which the software is built. Ask if the product is current with the latest technology. Indicators of this are applications that use databases such as Microsoft and SQL Server.  The applications should offer seamless integration with other products without requiring you to purchase additional software or hardware. When viewing a product demo, note whether the interface appears user-friendly. It is important to have powerful reporting in an easy-to-use package with flexibility in setup and day-to-day use.

Good luck with your selection. By performing due diligence on the company, product and technology, you are on the right track to discovering the best software package for your construction company.

Construction Business Owner, August 2010