Meng-update anti virus bagi kita para pengguna komputer sangat lah penting.Agar terbebas dari virus. Karena semakin hari, virus yang di ciptakan semakin beragam. Tujuan kita menga-update anti virus tidak lain dan tidak bukan untuk menjaga agar data-data yang kita miliki tidak terserang oleh virus.
Namun apabila update-an anti virus yang kita gunakan, dapat menghapus system pada komputer kita? pastinya ini sangat tidak lah menyenagkan bukan?.....
Nah anda mesti berhati-hati pada sebuah update anti virus AVG 8 untuk system operasi Windows 2000, XP dan Vista. antivirus AVG 8 ini telah memberikan adanya kesalahan peringatan dari antivirus tersebut bahwa file system dalam Windows, user32.dll, adalah sebuah virus Trojan horse.
Seperti yang di tulis oleh beritaNet[dot]com bahwa masalah kesalahan warning AVG ini juga berpengaruh kepada antivirus yang sama versi Belanda, Perancis, Italia, Portugis, dan Spanyol.
Sementara itu, AVG Technologies dengan cepat segera mengoreksi masalah kesalahan tersebut baik untuk AVG versi free atau paid version. Jika user melakukan interaksi atas warning dari update AVG 8 tersebut, maka file user32.dll akan terhapus, dan seketika meninggalkan system Windows XP dengan rebooting atau tidak bisa reboot kembali.
Permasalah dari anti virus AVG ini melakukan remedy terhadap masalah tersebut untuk user dan memberikan update terbaru untuk versi commercial dan free dari AVG 7.5 dan AVG 8.0 untuk berbagai bahasa. Untuk user yang menginstal update AVG 8.0 tersebut akan menerima adanya peringatan bahwa file system Windows user32.dll versi product 5.1.2600.3099 telah terinfeksi oleh Trojan dan dianjurkan untuk dihapus dalam pengoperasian Windows XP.
[More..]
Showing posts with label Software. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Software. Show all posts
Friday, November 28, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Wireless Internet Options for New Businesses
Starting a business is one of the most intimidating things imaginable. You'll have to expose yourself to considerable financial and personal risk, of course, and you'll have to accept the fact that you may lose money. You'll quickly learn that you can save money by using technology as intelligently as possible. No technology will, by itself, make your business succeed or fail. You can, however, make sure that you're using it to its maximum possible level of effectiveness and not paying for technologies you do not need.
If you're getting set up, you'll need broadband Internet access. Today, there are far better options than just getting a standard connection from a telephone or a cable television company. You can get Internet connectivity that is actually completely wireless. This is not wireless Internet service in the sense with which you're probably familiar. Wi-Fi is the term for the short-range connections that are provided in many offices. The type of wireless being discussed here is very long-range. It can cover an entire city, in fact. This service is delivered at broadband speeds and, if your freedom is part of the reason you're going into business for yourself, it's a good option to explore.
4G wireless broadband is the latest in ISP technology. Instead of just wirelessly redistributing a DSL or cable connection, this service actually offers a complete wireless solution in and of itself. The technology can cover a very broad area and it's secure. It works with a modem that attaches to your computer and which provides you with access to the network. The speeds it offers are very fast and are on par with other broadband solutions. It also has the capability to cover your telecom needs at very affordable prices.
The 4G wireless technology available today can be integrated with voice over IP technology. VoIP technology provides a viable alternative to expensive office telephone systems. Of course, you can take your office phone with you wherever you go, as well. Instead of giving every client your cell phone number, which can result in innumerable hassles, you can simply give them your office number and, wherever you are, you can answer or return calls to and from that number. This is a money-saving solution for any new business, as telecom companies tend to be among the most expensive of all contractors, especially where new systems are concerned.
If your business is one that employs other workers, this technology is even more useful. You can offer the 4G connection to your employees and allow them to work from their homes or anywhere else. This allows you to avoid spending the considerable amounts of money required for an office. With more and more desirable employees demanding the option to telecommute, you can avail yourself of the best possible people to help your business grow. You can also make sure that you're on the cutting edge, but not so deeply invested in it that you buy technology that you don't use.
If you're getting set up, you'll need broadband Internet access. Today, there are far better options than just getting a standard connection from a telephone or a cable television company. You can get Internet connectivity that is actually completely wireless. This is not wireless Internet service in the sense with which you're probably familiar. Wi-Fi is the term for the short-range connections that are provided in many offices. The type of wireless being discussed here is very long-range. It can cover an entire city, in fact. This service is delivered at broadband speeds and, if your freedom is part of the reason you're going into business for yourself, it's a good option to explore.
4G wireless broadband is the latest in ISP technology. Instead of just wirelessly redistributing a DSL or cable connection, this service actually offers a complete wireless solution in and of itself. The technology can cover a very broad area and it's secure. It works with a modem that attaches to your computer and which provides you with access to the network. The speeds it offers are very fast and are on par with other broadband solutions. It also has the capability to cover your telecom needs at very affordable prices.
The 4G wireless technology available today can be integrated with voice over IP technology. VoIP technology provides a viable alternative to expensive office telephone systems. Of course, you can take your office phone with you wherever you go, as well. Instead of giving every client your cell phone number, which can result in innumerable hassles, you can simply give them your office number and, wherever you are, you can answer or return calls to and from that number. This is a money-saving solution for any new business, as telecom companies tend to be among the most expensive of all contractors, especially where new systems are concerned.
If your business is one that employs other workers, this technology is even more useful. You can offer the 4G connection to your employees and allow them to work from their homes or anywhere else. This allows you to avoid spending the considerable amounts of money required for an office. With more and more desirable employees demanding the option to telecommute, you can avail yourself of the best possible people to help your business grow. You can also make sure that you're on the cutting edge, but not so deeply invested in it that you buy technology that you don't use.
Labels:
Software
Tips you Can Use to Based Crm Software Web
In the next few paragraphs, we will explore new ideas and thoughts that may help you achieve your goal and decide what is best for you.
Would you like to find out what those-in-the-know have to say about based crm software web? The information in the editorial below comes straight from well-informed experts with exclusive knowledge about based crm software web.
One of the essential factors in the victory of any group is the liaison it shares with its customers. CRM or patron Relationship Management designates all skin of interaction a group shares with its customer. This includes everything from sales to service.
CRM is mainly a concern strategy intended to accrue gains, produce revenue and cater to client needs and satisfaction. With the e-media selection up pace, the mode in which companies style their CRM strategies has terribly changed. This has even altered the customers purchasing attitude. So these days CRM too has become a web based effort as most of the client relationship is handled electronically.
We hope that the first part of this article as brought you a lot of much needed information on the subject at hand.
The web based CRM ceremony is more effective. Web-based CRM military mainly covers three areas of service- sales force automation, management of client relationships and client military and automated marketing.
A web-based CRM software is a web-based structure used for dealings management, marketing and sales support, task tracking and other tasks associated with CRM. This software enables teams and departments to stake a middle and bright database. The software facilitates its users with an online dealings director and a project-tracking tool, whichever over the web or inside the corporate intranet. With the aid of the CRM software you can outlook and handle contacts, customers record, hot leads, projects and left-out work, from anywhere and with any web-browser. Moreover unlike the intervening and wanted to be testified upgrades of an enterprise software, the upgrades to the web based software do not shape the organizations ordered operations in any manner. Due to these skin more and more companies are ambitious towards this web-based software.
Think about what you've read so far. Does it underpin what you already know about based crm software web? Or was there something completely new? What about the enduring paragraphs?
Siebel Systems Inc., HydraNet and advocate CRM are some eminent names in web-based software service. Lately SAP has also blessed the advertise with on-demand shopper Relationship Management solution. A web based CRM has many names out of which on-demand CRM is one.
These systems impart agents with the most up-to-date information on all shopper repair transactions. The software adds to the strategic value and affair of the organization by automating sales, marketing and shopper service. For request the SAP result specializes in providing core sales-force automation skin for running customers, contacts and sales pipelines.
The software runs and keeps a finished track of your data after it is downloaded or purchased and then installed on your server or web-host. commonly the CRM software runs on all significant platforms such as Unix, Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, Novell (6.5) and so forth. because the software serves many purposes at the same time, it is totally expensive. However an incredible competition in the advertise has enabled the software seekers to essay their catalog to a certain extent.
In choosing a web-based CRM software it is important that the addict should initially analyze his or her finances or the finances of the organization. Secondly also safeguard your organizations partner ecosystems. A user-friendly hosted CRM system, an on premise version or the combo of both should monitor this and lastly try to go for software that can fit any font of user, any bulk visitors and in any industry.
So now you know a little bit about based crm software web. Even if you don't know everything, you've done something worthwhile: you've lingering your knowledge.
The complexities of the subject matter within this article strive to give you a better look at what this subject is all about.
Would you like to find out what those-in-the-know have to say about based crm software web? The information in the editorial below comes straight from well-informed experts with exclusive knowledge about based crm software web.
One of the essential factors in the victory of any group is the liaison it shares with its customers. CRM or patron Relationship Management designates all skin of interaction a group shares with its customer. This includes everything from sales to service.
CRM is mainly a concern strategy intended to accrue gains, produce revenue and cater to client needs and satisfaction. With the e-media selection up pace, the mode in which companies style their CRM strategies has terribly changed. This has even altered the customers purchasing attitude. So these days CRM too has become a web based effort as most of the client relationship is handled electronically.
We hope that the first part of this article as brought you a lot of much needed information on the subject at hand.
The web based CRM ceremony is more effective. Web-based CRM military mainly covers three areas of service- sales force automation, management of client relationships and client military and automated marketing.
A web-based CRM software is a web-based structure used for dealings management, marketing and sales support, task tracking and other tasks associated with CRM. This software enables teams and departments to stake a middle and bright database. The software facilitates its users with an online dealings director and a project-tracking tool, whichever over the web or inside the corporate intranet. With the aid of the CRM software you can outlook and handle contacts, customers record, hot leads, projects and left-out work, from anywhere and with any web-browser. Moreover unlike the intervening and wanted to be testified upgrades of an enterprise software, the upgrades to the web based software do not shape the organizations ordered operations in any manner. Due to these skin more and more companies are ambitious towards this web-based software.
Think about what you've read so far. Does it underpin what you already know about based crm software web? Or was there something completely new? What about the enduring paragraphs?
Siebel Systems Inc., HydraNet and advocate CRM are some eminent names in web-based software service. Lately SAP has also blessed the advertise with on-demand shopper Relationship Management solution. A web based CRM has many names out of which on-demand CRM is one.
These systems impart agents with the most up-to-date information on all shopper repair transactions. The software adds to the strategic value and affair of the organization by automating sales, marketing and shopper service. For request the SAP result specializes in providing core sales-force automation skin for running customers, contacts and sales pipelines.
The software runs and keeps a finished track of your data after it is downloaded or purchased and then installed on your server or web-host. commonly the CRM software runs on all significant platforms such as Unix, Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, Novell (6.5) and so forth. because the software serves many purposes at the same time, it is totally expensive. However an incredible competition in the advertise has enabled the software seekers to essay their catalog to a certain extent.
In choosing a web-based CRM software it is important that the addict should initially analyze his or her finances or the finances of the organization. Secondly also safeguard your organizations partner ecosystems. A user-friendly hosted CRM system, an on premise version or the combo of both should monitor this and lastly try to go for software that can fit any font of user, any bulk visitors and in any industry.
So now you know a little bit about based crm software web. Even if you don't know everything, you've done something worthwhile: you've lingering your knowledge.
The complexities of the subject matter within this article strive to give you a better look at what this subject is all about.
Labels:
Software
Monday, November 17, 2008
A Guide to Software Selection
Buying decisions are the essence of life in the commerce-driven 21st century. From everyday decisions like selecting lunch from a restaurant menu, to getting a new car, to major company acquisitions, much of our time is spent “buying”. And these choices are anything but simple. Each marketer professes to be the sole champion of our consumer rights and pummels us with enticing advertising messages, about how their wares are “the best”. Seductive as these messages are, no product or service is quite the same. The difference may be glaring – that of “better vs. worse”, or a subtle tradeoff between price, quality, feature set, customer service, or durability. It is therefore important to keep our wits about & develop a systematic approach to the buying decision. Our view should be broad & farsighted, rather than buying based only on what immediately meets the eye. Hasty decisions leave us with flashy features never used, or hefty repair bills of products that came cheap. A good example of a systematic approach is when you buy a car. A myriad of factors are considered & weighed, which impact the owner for the next decade. This includes brand, performance vs. style, price, safety, terms of finance, mileage, maintenance, resale value & so many other factors.
Selecting Software
In our new “wired” modern reality, software is no less important than products & services in our everyday lives. Whether it’s a personal email program, chat software for instant connection, collaboration software to organize scattered employees, or an ERP implementation to manage company processes – there’s no surviving without them! But we’re somewhat more used to buying products & services than software, which is a relatively recent phenomenon. In many ways, selecting software is no different from selecting a product or service. Although intangible, software, also address a very real need, on which personal & professional success often depends. Naturally, some of the same purchase factors apply – brand, service, & maintenance costs. In spite of the patronizing obviousness of the above, software selection is a grey zone; an underdeveloped arena. This accounts for the high incidence of “shelfware” – software that are bought with grand intentions, but end up on dusty shelves. This is because unlike products & services, it is not so intuitively evident that software have “life cycles” & need to be “maintained”, “updated”, & “repaired”. Therefore, purchases are made based on what immediately meets the eye – technical features. This mistake is understandable, because technical features are well documented & advertised, & easy for the buyer to use as decision criteria. But with this approach, factors that are just as pertinent, but not so immediately obvious, get left out. Some research & serious thinking is needed to gauge these “hidden” factors.
Key Factors for Buying Software
1) Company History & Experience
The vendor needs to be sized up before we even go on to consider the software itself. Company background is essential because, unlike traditional companies, software companies are often small, & often beyond national boundaries. Since these companies would likely be handling our sensitive data, we need to do a background check. Some related questions are: How Long Have They Been Around? As in most cases, we can reasonably assume that past record is a good indicator of future performance. Important questions are - How long have they been around? How long have they been in the field? If they’re offering online collaboration software, have they been in this industry long enough? Even if the software is new, do they have experience developing related software? What is Their Niche? Does the company know your niche well enough to know your needs? If you are a small/mid sized business, a company mainly serving the Fortune 500 is not for you. If you work from home, it is unlikely a solution serving large offices will meet your needs. The Ultimate Testament – The Customer The ultimate judge of software is its users. To get a true picture, it is important to look at how customers are using the software & what their comments are. Does their site include a client’s list or page? Check out what customers say under testimonials, or you could even get in touch with the customers yourself for comments. Dangers There are certain things about the software industry that a buyer should be wary of. Software startups have shorter life spans than traditional companies & ride high on a success wave, but go “pop” when the industry bubble bursts. This was exemplified by the “dot com burst” of 2000. Whether the current spate of “Web 2.0” companies constitutes another expanding bubble which will inevitably burst is debatable, but it makes sense to be wary & bet your money on dependable companies with proven track records.
2) Cost
There’s no denying the importance of cost effectiveness in buying decisions across the board. Yet costs should be seen in a broad perspective, because low entry costs may well result in higher total costs along the product’s life. Features vs. Price A cost-benefit analysis makes sense, & costs need to be compared with the software’s range of features & functionalities. A document management system may not be the cheapest, but it may allow you to also set up a virtual office. Going for loads of features also constitutes a trap, because users never get around to using half of them. Needs vs. Price Another question is whether there is an overlap between features & needs at all. Many features may not relate to needs sought to be addressed. You should clearly define your needs, & classify features as “needed features” & “features not needed”. Another possible scheme of classifying features could be “must have”, “nice to have”, & “future requirements”.
3) Ease of Use/Adoption
An adoption & learning curve is involved with every new software purchase. It needs to be integrated with current systems & software, & the end users have to be brought up to speed using it. If the software is chunky & too complex, adoption resistance can occur. Ease of Use The software should have an intuitive interface, & use of features should be pretty much self evident. The shorter the learning curve training a new user, the better. The software should also have the ability to easily fit into the existing systems with which it will have to communicate. For example, a collaboration software might allow you to use some features from your Outlook itself or even share Outlook data. Adoption To get a measure of “shelfware”, i.e., software that is purchased but never used, some studies peg the number of shelved content management solutions at 20-25%. At a million dollars per implementation, that’s pretty expensive shelfware! According to another study in the US, 22% of purchased enterprise portal (ERP) licenses are never used. No doubt, “Shelfware” is a result of ill thought out purchase decisions. These studies clearly underline the importance of making an educated purchase. One possible way to protect against shelfware is the new concept of “software as a service” (SAAS) hosted software. The software is hosted by its developer, & buyers have to pay a monthly subscription, which they can opt out of anytime.Support No matter how good a software is, there are bound to be times when one can’t find out how to work a particular feature or a glitch crops up. Some software solutions may require you to hire dedicated support staff of your own, while others may be easy to use, and no specialized staff may be needed, and still others may offer free support. The cost of hiring support staff needs to be factored into the buying decision. Provider support may be in the form of live human support, or automated help engines. In case of human help, the quality of solutions, availability & conduct of support executives matter. Support can also be in the form of an extensively documented help engine, or extensive help information on the company site. This form of support is often more prompt & efficient than human help. Training Training is another form of support which deserves special mention. Free training seminars or their new avatar - webinars (online seminars) - greatly help in getting up to speed with the software at no extra cost. In some cases the company might offer paid training, which may be essential, & hence this cost needs to be factored into the purchase decision. Maintenance Maintenance costs & efforts have a major impact on the performance & adoptability of software, & hence form important criteria of the buying decision. In case the software is hosted at the company’s end, it is of utmost importance that the software be available online at all times, or the “uptime”. Uptimes are covered under the “service level agreement” & range from 98% to 99.99%. A minimum uptime of 99% is what one must look for. The company’s upkeep is also important. Efforts to constantly improve upon the software underline a commitment to providing quality service. Are bugs fixed promptly & on an ongoing basis? Are they just releasing software & not updating it? One should develop a habit of keeping up with the company newsletter, release notes or the “what’s new” section on their site. Periodic newsletters & a “what’s new” section are indicative of a dynamic company.
4) Familiarity
The “feel” of the software is another important criterion. The software should keep with the basic layout & navigation schemes we are used to. This makes for quicker transition. One good way is to compare with the OS in which we would use the software. Does it have the same basic schema as the OS environment? A software with Mac schema on Windows wouldn’t sit that well. Or we could compare it with other software which we are used to. If you are switching to a low priced solution from an expensive one, choosing software with a similar “feel” would make sense. Does it retain most of the main features you are used to?
5) Security
Security is a top consideration because he software company will likely be handling information critical to us – business, financial or personal. We need to be well assured of our data's security & there are no risks of it being compromised. This needs research, & the extensiveness of which depends on the sensitivity of our data. What safety features does the provider have?
Encryption, or coding of information, is used by most companies to protect the integrity of their clients’ information. There are different types of encryption, each of which is associated with a different level of security. DAS is one, once popular but now known to have loopholes. SSL 128-bit encryption is associated with top notch security. Password protection is another important facet. Is the software equipped to withstand manual & automated attempts to hack your password? The ability of the system to detect a hacking attempt & lock up in time is important. Data Backup In extreme cases of system breakdown caused by a facility fire, natural disaster or technical glitch etc, it is important that your data is frequently & adequately backed up. Data backup should be frequent & adequate. Certain factors are to be considered in backup practices. The first is the frequency of backups. If there is a long gap, there is a possibility of data being lost in intermittent periods. Secondly, what are the security arrangements at the facilities where your data resides? Is it manned & guarded by security personnel? What other safeguards are in place? Is there a good firewall? What is the protection against virus attacks? What procedures are in place for disaster management? Track Record As with company background, a little research on the security track record makes sense. Has the company ever been vulnerable to attacks before? What were the losses? How did the company react? How many years has the company had a good record? New companies will have a clean record, but that isn’t necessarily indicative of good security. The Server System The server system where the sensitive data actually lies is very important. Is it state-of-the-art? The server infrastructure could be owned by the software provider themselves or outsourced to a dedicated company providing hosting solutions. Outsourced hosting is a good thing because hosting companies have extensive expertise & infrastructure for security, & this frees up the software provider to concentrate on the software itself. The company might not have an elaborate setup at all, running the software & processing data through computers set up in the garage somewhere acting as servers. This should get your alarm bells ringing!
Conclusion - A Systematic Selection Approach
Now that we have discussed all the relevant factors in detail & have a better perspective of the subject, it is important to develop a systematic approach to analyzing these factors. What factors are important to me? Although all of the above factors are relevant, their relative importance may differ from customer to customer. For a company with deep pockets, price comes lower in the list. For a company using collaboration software to process business information, security is high priority. Again if a solution forms an important part of a company’s business, it is important that it integrates well with existing systems. For dynamic industries like real estate, short training times are important. Know Thy Software By this step you would have selected software. But that is still not the end. For all our theorizing & researching, the software still has to pass its toughest test. Most software allows you a free trial period. It would be a good idea to seriously use this period to analyze the software. It is important to stay focused during this testing period because the impact is going to be long lasting. Follow systematic planning. Identify objectives & needs, develop a testing plan, lay out the timelines and designate people from different departments to try out different features. Set responsibilities & goals so that testers take their job seriously.
THE DECISION!
Don’t hesitate to put the burden onto the company to prove itself. Let the company prove to you the features that seem important to you. For example, if security is of prime importance, ask the company to display how their solution scores high on security. Don’t hesitate to call them if you have questions. Test their service levels to see if it lives up to their promises. If you submit a ticket, is it promptly responded to? Is a good solution provided? If the problem requires live help, do you get it fast enough? When you call in with a problem, is it a live person or an automated message you converse with? This is as extensively as you can analyze software. You’re educated enough to make a choice which will most likely not fail you. You shall surely not be disappointed in your decision.
[More..]
Selecting Software
In our new “wired” modern reality, software is no less important than products & services in our everyday lives. Whether it’s a personal email program, chat software for instant connection, collaboration software to organize scattered employees, or an ERP implementation to manage company processes – there’s no surviving without them! But we’re somewhat more used to buying products & services than software, which is a relatively recent phenomenon. In many ways, selecting software is no different from selecting a product or service. Although intangible, software, also address a very real need, on which personal & professional success often depends. Naturally, some of the same purchase factors apply – brand, service, & maintenance costs. In spite of the patronizing obviousness of the above, software selection is a grey zone; an underdeveloped arena. This accounts for the high incidence of “shelfware” – software that are bought with grand intentions, but end up on dusty shelves. This is because unlike products & services, it is not so intuitively evident that software have “life cycles” & need to be “maintained”, “updated”, & “repaired”. Therefore, purchases are made based on what immediately meets the eye – technical features. This mistake is understandable, because technical features are well documented & advertised, & easy for the buyer to use as decision criteria. But with this approach, factors that are just as pertinent, but not so immediately obvious, get left out. Some research & serious thinking is needed to gauge these “hidden” factors.
Key Factors for Buying Software
1) Company History & Experience
The vendor needs to be sized up before we even go on to consider the software itself. Company background is essential because, unlike traditional companies, software companies are often small, & often beyond national boundaries. Since these companies would likely be handling our sensitive data, we need to do a background check. Some related questions are: How Long Have They Been Around? As in most cases, we can reasonably assume that past record is a good indicator of future performance. Important questions are - How long have they been around? How long have they been in the field? If they’re offering online collaboration software, have they been in this industry long enough? Even if the software is new, do they have experience developing related software? What is Their Niche? Does the company know your niche well enough to know your needs? If you are a small/mid sized business, a company mainly serving the Fortune 500 is not for you. If you work from home, it is unlikely a solution serving large offices will meet your needs. The Ultimate Testament – The Customer The ultimate judge of software is its users. To get a true picture, it is important to look at how customers are using the software & what their comments are. Does their site include a client’s list or page? Check out what customers say under testimonials, or you could even get in touch with the customers yourself for comments. Dangers There are certain things about the software industry that a buyer should be wary of. Software startups have shorter life spans than traditional companies & ride high on a success wave, but go “pop” when the industry bubble bursts. This was exemplified by the “dot com burst” of 2000. Whether the current spate of “Web 2.0” companies constitutes another expanding bubble which will inevitably burst is debatable, but it makes sense to be wary & bet your money on dependable companies with proven track records.
2) Cost
There’s no denying the importance of cost effectiveness in buying decisions across the board. Yet costs should be seen in a broad perspective, because low entry costs may well result in higher total costs along the product’s life. Features vs. Price A cost-benefit analysis makes sense, & costs need to be compared with the software’s range of features & functionalities. A document management system may not be the cheapest, but it may allow you to also set up a virtual office. Going for loads of features also constitutes a trap, because users never get around to using half of them. Needs vs. Price Another question is whether there is an overlap between features & needs at all. Many features may not relate to needs sought to be addressed. You should clearly define your needs, & classify features as “needed features” & “features not needed”. Another possible scheme of classifying features could be “must have”, “nice to have”, & “future requirements”.
3) Ease of Use/Adoption
An adoption & learning curve is involved with every new software purchase. It needs to be integrated with current systems & software, & the end users have to be brought up to speed using it. If the software is chunky & too complex, adoption resistance can occur. Ease of Use The software should have an intuitive interface, & use of features should be pretty much self evident. The shorter the learning curve training a new user, the better. The software should also have the ability to easily fit into the existing systems with which it will have to communicate. For example, a collaboration software might allow you to use some features from your Outlook itself or even share Outlook data. Adoption To get a measure of “shelfware”, i.e., software that is purchased but never used, some studies peg the number of shelved content management solutions at 20-25%. At a million dollars per implementation, that’s pretty expensive shelfware! According to another study in the US, 22% of purchased enterprise portal (ERP) licenses are never used. No doubt, “Shelfware” is a result of ill thought out purchase decisions. These studies clearly underline the importance of making an educated purchase. One possible way to protect against shelfware is the new concept of “software as a service” (SAAS) hosted software. The software is hosted by its developer, & buyers have to pay a monthly subscription, which they can opt out of anytime.Support No matter how good a software is, there are bound to be times when one can’t find out how to work a particular feature or a glitch crops up. Some software solutions may require you to hire dedicated support staff of your own, while others may be easy to use, and no specialized staff may be needed, and still others may offer free support. The cost of hiring support staff needs to be factored into the buying decision. Provider support may be in the form of live human support, or automated help engines. In case of human help, the quality of solutions, availability & conduct of support executives matter. Support can also be in the form of an extensively documented help engine, or extensive help information on the company site. This form of support is often more prompt & efficient than human help. Training Training is another form of support which deserves special mention. Free training seminars or their new avatar - webinars (online seminars) - greatly help in getting up to speed with the software at no extra cost. In some cases the company might offer paid training, which may be essential, & hence this cost needs to be factored into the purchase decision. Maintenance Maintenance costs & efforts have a major impact on the performance & adoptability of software, & hence form important criteria of the buying decision. In case the software is hosted at the company’s end, it is of utmost importance that the software be available online at all times, or the “uptime”. Uptimes are covered under the “service level agreement” & range from 98% to 99.99%. A minimum uptime of 99% is what one must look for. The company’s upkeep is also important. Efforts to constantly improve upon the software underline a commitment to providing quality service. Are bugs fixed promptly & on an ongoing basis? Are they just releasing software & not updating it? One should develop a habit of keeping up with the company newsletter, release notes or the “what’s new” section on their site. Periodic newsletters & a “what’s new” section are indicative of a dynamic company.
4) Familiarity
The “feel” of the software is another important criterion. The software should keep with the basic layout & navigation schemes we are used to. This makes for quicker transition. One good way is to compare with the OS in which we would use the software. Does it have the same basic schema as the OS environment? A software with Mac schema on Windows wouldn’t sit that well. Or we could compare it with other software which we are used to. If you are switching to a low priced solution from an expensive one, choosing software with a similar “feel” would make sense. Does it retain most of the main features you are used to?
5) Security
Security is a top consideration because he software company will likely be handling information critical to us – business, financial or personal. We need to be well assured of our data's security & there are no risks of it being compromised. This needs research, & the extensiveness of which depends on the sensitivity of our data. What safety features does the provider have?
Encryption, or coding of information, is used by most companies to protect the integrity of their clients’ information. There are different types of encryption, each of which is associated with a different level of security. DAS is one, once popular but now known to have loopholes. SSL 128-bit encryption is associated with top notch security. Password protection is another important facet. Is the software equipped to withstand manual & automated attempts to hack your password? The ability of the system to detect a hacking attempt & lock up in time is important. Data Backup In extreme cases of system breakdown caused by a facility fire, natural disaster or technical glitch etc, it is important that your data is frequently & adequately backed up. Data backup should be frequent & adequate. Certain factors are to be considered in backup practices. The first is the frequency of backups. If there is a long gap, there is a possibility of data being lost in intermittent periods. Secondly, what are the security arrangements at the facilities where your data resides? Is it manned & guarded by security personnel? What other safeguards are in place? Is there a good firewall? What is the protection against virus attacks? What procedures are in place for disaster management? Track Record As with company background, a little research on the security track record makes sense. Has the company ever been vulnerable to attacks before? What were the losses? How did the company react? How many years has the company had a good record? New companies will have a clean record, but that isn’t necessarily indicative of good security. The Server System The server system where the sensitive data actually lies is very important. Is it state-of-the-art? The server infrastructure could be owned by the software provider themselves or outsourced to a dedicated company providing hosting solutions. Outsourced hosting is a good thing because hosting companies have extensive expertise & infrastructure for security, & this frees up the software provider to concentrate on the software itself. The company might not have an elaborate setup at all, running the software & processing data through computers set up in the garage somewhere acting as servers. This should get your alarm bells ringing!
Conclusion - A Systematic Selection Approach
Now that we have discussed all the relevant factors in detail & have a better perspective of the subject, it is important to develop a systematic approach to analyzing these factors. What factors are important to me? Although all of the above factors are relevant, their relative importance may differ from customer to customer. For a company with deep pockets, price comes lower in the list. For a company using collaboration software to process business information, security is high priority. Again if a solution forms an important part of a company’s business, it is important that it integrates well with existing systems. For dynamic industries like real estate, short training times are important. Know Thy Software By this step you would have selected software. But that is still not the end. For all our theorizing & researching, the software still has to pass its toughest test. Most software allows you a free trial period. It would be a good idea to seriously use this period to analyze the software. It is important to stay focused during this testing period because the impact is going to be long lasting. Follow systematic planning. Identify objectives & needs, develop a testing plan, lay out the timelines and designate people from different departments to try out different features. Set responsibilities & goals so that testers take their job seriously.
THE DECISION!
Don’t hesitate to put the burden onto the company to prove itself. Let the company prove to you the features that seem important to you. For example, if security is of prime importance, ask the company to display how their solution scores high on security. Don’t hesitate to call them if you have questions. Test their service levels to see if it lives up to their promises. If you submit a ticket, is it promptly responded to? Is a good solution provided? If the problem requires live help, do you get it fast enough? When you call in with a problem, is it a live person or an automated message you converse with? This is as extensively as you can analyze software. You’re educated enough to make a choice which will most likely not fail you. You shall surely not be disappointed in your decision.
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