Accounting Software

For many companies, selecting wrong accounting software can be a real disaster. And the blame will inevitably be the CPA, in whom relapsing responsibility ends the right solution.

These 7 steps will help you make a good decision.

Vendors always show us a paradise. The challenge is that we always have good things. We can not expect a seller to tell us where your software deployments have failed, or we make a list of your weaknesses.

And what's worse: usually we have to wait for the entire installation process and a month of use have passed to see if it really met our expectations. And by that time, it's too late.

Is there good news? Yes. In recent years, accounting software has improved substantially, and retailers have learned the potential problems in implementation, creating "best practice manuals" that make the process faster.

However, it is important to exhaust all these steps to select the correct accounting software for our organization:

Step by step



1. Re-knowledge

First we must educate ourselves on all the options available in the market. To do this, turn to several sources of information:

Colleagues in other empresasPeriódicosInternet (Google to the rescue!) Our recommendation: Make a list of 10 options. And go to the second step.

2. The time of the matrices

Now comes the process longer, but ultimately ends up being the most satisfactory generate. Make a list in Excel that includes the following columns:

WebValor SoftwareTeléfonoPágina name (for my company) Average time of implantation (do not rely solely on the seller: use your friends and colleagues) Features (this part of the list should be customized and adapted to specific needs) Modules incluidosPlataforma Is there a need to purchase additional licenses or computers? How many users drive? etc .... (Include here specific needs: bar code, inventory, payroll, etc.) Business is installed (with contact name it .. ask the software vendor, will be the most useful of this list)

3. Remove the weaker choices

Selecting a good accounting software package begins by removing the packages that do not conform to the reality of the organization.

Tip: leave here a list of 3 to 5 options. Maximo.

4. Evaluation of suppliers

Regularly, the accounting software is distributed in two ways: by the parent, or by authorized dealers.

In both cases, it is important to know who is who is responsible for installation in your organization, how it will support, and if they have staff to move or give us help when we need it. And sure you need.

And the best test is to ask for an appointment to do a demonstration. This will be "measured oil" for how to be post-sale support. If I take a week to arrange an appointment, you can cross off your list.

With this, surely the list is getting smaller.

5. The appointment with the "finalists"

Listen and let them do their show. This will include PowerPoint slides, live demonstrations and possibly installing a demo version.

Leave your difficult questions for last.

And when you have the software installed, please note that if you could do something with the software, does not necessarily mean that you can not do. Confused is normal, so this step requires patience. Ask, ask a lot.

6. Now, to call the references

This is where you will interesting because what we promised to collate the seller with reality. And do not let the seller gets out without giving names of people who have installed the software (though we had already covered the point on the matrix).

With the name and phone in your hands, call and ask the following questions:

How long has the software used XXX? How much delay in the installation? Can you name 2 things that seem bad? (Remember that good and they said the seller) If I had to choose again, what other options contemplate? (This is a trick question ... if the referral is absolutely in love with the product, not contemplate other options). With hand on heart ... I recommend this software? Remember that with this information we will be able to distinguish between "good product / Bad reseller "versus" bad product / good distributor. " Or it may be that both are good, enabling you to continue to the next paso.7. Make the final decision

If at the end of this process you have more than one option, to use his instinct. And keep in mind these three final considerations:

What is easier to use? How has the technology more compatible with the company? · What offers more possibilities for reports? If you are not able to decide, flip a coin. Just remember that the true cost of accounting software is licensing its value, but at the time of implantation and the time taken in the day to incorporate the processes of the organization.

Following this process, the chances of error are reduced dramatically.

Conclusion

The reality is that most likely the winner in sight long before the last point. But it is better to be safe and exhausting process steps. Some consultants can help us make the final decision in half an hour. The other companies will take up to 3 months.

But any time spent on selecting the right accounting software for the organization will be well rewarded.