Seven questions to ask before you buy business software

Every demo looks good. The real differences show up in the answers to these questions.


During a demo everything looks simple. The problems appear later — when the data grows, staff change, or you need a report that doesn't exist.

1. How does my existing data get in?

If the answer is “manually”, ask how long it will take and who is doing it.

2. Is the data mine — can I take it out?

Ask how backups and exports work. If you can't get your own data out, you don't own your records.

3. How finely can I control staff access?

Can a delivery boy change a rate? Can a cashier delete an old entry? It sounds like a small question and the damage is not small.

4. Can reports be built to my requirement?

Every business measures something slightly differently. Ask what a new report costs.

5. Does it work on mobile?

You aren't always at the counter. The system should open on a phone.

6. Who provides support, and for how long?

7. What happens when I need another module?

Today you need a water plant system; next year a POS. Ask whether it can be added to the same system, or whether you'll be buying separate software again.

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