{"id":16533,"date":"2024-07-23T13:24:36","date_gmt":"2024-07-23T11:24:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.costperform.com\/?p=16533"},"modified":"2025-04-08T13:58:10","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T11:58:10","slug":"6-pitfalls-in-buying-enterprise-software-from-research-to-integration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.costperform.com\/6-pitfalls-in-buying-enterprise-software-from-research-to-integration\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Pitfalls in Buying Enterprise Software: From Research to Integration"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We\u2019ve already tackled the DO\u2019s and DONT\u2019s<\/a> of the research phase, and given some concrete pointers of how you can keep on the right track with your information diet, and actions to avoid. But there are other pitfalls that enterprise buyers must look out for. With an estimated 60% of software purchase decisions ending in buyer\u2019s regret<\/a>, pay close attention to avoid making the same mistakes as others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overlooking security considerations, falling short in documentation, failing to involve the team or choosing the wrong provider for the wrong reasons. There are numerous traps which people fall into while procuring software. Read on to learn more:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common mistakes in enterprise software procurement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Not fully understanding your company\u2019s needs. Before jumping into the search for the right software, take the time to conduct your own research on what it is that you need. Some pointers:

– Have you conducted a thorough \u201cgap analysis<\/a>\u201d between the current and future situation?
– Do you understand how the technology will address these gaps?
– Are you aware of the market standard solutions in your sector\/niche?

From this baseline, you will have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with vendors. When you already understand what you are looking for, you will be able to efficiently quiz their sales team and quickly come to an understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    2. Are you looking for the right things in a future software solution? Relevant security certification, tech support guarantees and responsive customer care are the top of most people\u2019s priorities. Adherence to regulation, data protection, or accounting standards may all be critical factors depending on what software you require. Don\u2019t overlook this.

    Moreover, finding a locally based option is rarely a game changing factor in software acquisition. Be sure to look outside your local market, as a software based in another country can be perfectly adapted to yours. Lastly, keep your eyes fixed on what matters to you, and don\u2019t worry about unnecessary extras, features and upsells. For example, ask for a price list early in the process.     CostPerform\u2019s price list is available by request<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. The \u201cmere exposure\u201d<\/a> effect. The mere exposure effect is a psychological phenomenon where people develop a preference for things simply because they are familiar with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In practical terms, this means you are far more likely to choose Salesforce than CRM123, even if the latter is the best reviewed tool in the market. To address this, make the effort to create a structured software research flow. You could make a spreadsheet comparing objective factors. A high popularity brand you see everywhere doesn\u2019t make it better than its competitors, it likely means it has a higher marketing budget. For more on how to compare products, read our blog on the DO\u2019s and DONT\u2019s of research.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      4. Start small, scale big. A significant number of purchasers aim to scale their solution soon after buying it. Not every tool affords this freedom, but tiered subscriptions are an increasingly common offering. A strategy to start small, and scale slowly can help address change management concerns and avoid the sunk cost fallacy. Put simply, you won\u2019t get stuck regretting a big mistake all at once. For tools where free trials, and beginner packages are offered, use it to your advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      5. Document, Document, Document. Make sure your research flow is recorded, the criteria you search for in the new software is written down. To follow best practices, you might like to have the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n