Vendor selection is one of the most important, and often most tedious, aspects of replacing or upgrading one of your systems or technologies. To ensure vendor selection gets the attention it deserves, Greencastle places a heavy emphasis on developing your vendor choices, whether we are developing requirements for a new hospital entry system or upgrading a fleet of 30,000 vehicles.
Replacing a vendor is never an easy decision. The process requires an acute ability to assign weight to a number of criteria and to assign each individual vendor the correct value for cost, quality, installation, and follow-up. Not only is it important to vet these candidates carefully, but there are many more factors to consider regarding the transition itself, including cost, level of effort, potential productivity loss and compatibility with existing systems.
When looking at the big picture, the vendor relationship is at its best when long-term strategy is factored into the agreement from the inception. This pushes for better understanding of source materials and quality, and opens the door for better communication when both parties understand the two-, five-, or ten-year goals, both financially and structurally. Relationships with vendors should be set up to promote collaboration and to improve upon existing techniques.
Examining the vendor management models and comparing them with a client’s organizational objectives is also an important step in the selection process. This sounds simple, but internal decision-makers often overlook important factors while solely focusing on the bottom line. Down the road, things such as ongoing support, software updates, and quality variance can lead to unforeseen budget creep—something that can turn a well-planned transition into a financial mess.
Your company may only do this once or twice, and you will need the help of an organization that has done it well many times. Involving a third-party with a track record of objective measurement and successful vendor transition is recommended by almost any veteran of new project implementation. The evaluation process is made even more efficient when an outside company is brought in, one who has repetitive, cross-industry metrics to ascertain a more knowledgeable value system — rather than someone who may just be approaching it from their specific organizational perspective.
Greencastle is cross-trained to understanding several industries and to bring a perspective that is not limited to a single product or service. Customization and broad experience helps ensure that your project comes in on-time and under-budget.
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