Integrated cloud-based Products
When OEMs are looking to implement a software solution for their Network Development or After Sales Operations it is critical that they select the right partner to ensure the project’s success. While some OEMs will explore building their own system internally, others will decide to evaluate external solutions providers who have either already developed or can build a custom solution based on the OEM’s requirements.
Here are seven essential questions to ask when evaluating a business solutions provider:
Partnering with a solutions provider who understands your industry and business domain adds tremendous value to a project. Their industry-specific expertise enables them to fully grasp the OEMs business operations and requirements. Their skills and experience offer valuable insights and best practices for implementing, deploying, and optimizing a solution for maximum business impact and utilization. They not only help you avoid time-consuming and costly mistakes but also ensure project and organization goals are achieved.
No two software projects are the same, and several factors must be considered, such as the maturity level of your organization, current processes, and personnel. You should also consider the internal resources needed to support the business requirements definition, solution implementation, and ongoing support. Selecting a provider that offers a pre-built, proven solution can have significant advantages. It reduces the total cost of ownership as little to no development work is required, and there is no need for wire frames, mockups, or a proof of concept. Additionally, implementation can be expedited, eliminating time-consuming activities such as business requirements development. By minimizing these tasks, the workload on your business and IT resources is reduced, allowing them to focus on their core responsibilities.
It is essential to find a provider who has experience migrating historical data into their solution or integrating it with other systems through a secure and efficient process. By doing so, you can minimize business disruptions, reduce manual work, and expedite the implementation. Furthermore, this ensures ongoing ease in incorporating new data sources into the system as needed.
In a rapidly evolving business landscape, flexibility is vital. Ensure your chosen provider can continuously evolve to meet the changing needs of your organization. Providers who are open to enhancements and accommodate changes are crucial for the overall success of the project. Conversely, providers who are resistant or slow to respond to your changing business needs can hinder your ability to maximize the adoption, utilization, and ROI of the solution throughout the contract’s duration.
Understanding how support will be provided is important when evaluating solutions providers. It is crucial to have clarity on how software and system updates will be managed, the type and frequency of training provided and the different support options available, such as user support and technical support. To gain deeper insights into the provider’s support capabilities, it is recommended to ask specific questions regarding frequency of status reports, the experience and skill level of the support team, and the process for escalating issues. These inquiries will help you better evaluate the provider and provide valuable insights into what it will be like to collaborate with them.
Will we be charged a per-user monthly fee? Do we have to pay for multiple software licenses that are part of the overall solution? Do we have to pay for future changes/enhancement? Knowing the answers to these questions before a provider has been selected will save an OEM a lot of frustration. To foster collaboration and system growth, it is advisable to select a provider that offers an all-inclusive solution without a monthly per-user fee. Choosing a provider that does not charge for changes or enhancements to the system encourages the sharing of ideas to optimize the solution's performance. By selecting a provider with transparent and cost-effective pricing, OEMs can confidently manage their budgets, allocate resources efficiently, and unlock the full potential of the solution without being burdened by unexpected or hidden costs.
Prioritize providers who can offer customer references or testimonials. Customer feedback is crucial for evaluating a provider’s performance and support services. Paraphrasing Henry Ford “You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do”.
Taking the time to properly evaluate a potential provider is one of the key steps of any solutions initiative. Selecting the right solutions provider with an innovative and flexible solution, excellent support services, and a great overall value sets the foundation for a sustained partnership and ensures project success for years to come.
Jerry is the Vice President of Business Development, Marketing and HR at Optimum Info, a global business solutions company providing tailored software solutions for Manufacturers to improve franchise network development, dealer profitability, field operations, and after-sales processes. Jerry has extensive experience working for solutions providers servicing the Automotive industry.
