Guidelines to computer success

By Pat Decatrel Sales, Building Materials Versyss Inc.

ware suppliers, allowing them to use the hardware company's name. It's possible a salesperson from a software house may hand you a business card with the hardware firm's name on it. They appear to be part of a large corporation, a single source. Actually, they work for the software dealer.

Make sure the company takes full responsibility for everything. Ask, "ls there one and only one company responsible for hardware, software, training, implementation, service and support?" It is the company rep's duty to be honest.

Training and Educatior.'No company can operate a computer management system if no one knows how to use it. The effectiveness of your system depends upon the quantity and quality of the training provided.

Does the company provide both classroom and on-site training? The quality of training can be dramatically better when done in a classroom because trainees learn more when free of everyday distractions and without having to worry about entering erroneous information into a classroom training machine.

Sometimes it is impossible to do without some of your valuable employees, so find out if on-site training is also available. Some suppliers which provide classroom training may want you to travel great distances to their classroom.

Visit the company's education center. Talk with some of the training people. Look at their manuals and documentation. A good company provides documentation for all their software.

Consider the amount of training received vs. the cost of your system. Some companies charge extra for training beyond a certain number of hours. That is not necessarily bad, as the quality of training may be very good. The quality of training may help you decide between vendors. Local Service and Supporl.. Most companies provide software and hardware maintenance contracts to protect you. Find out each candidate's guaranteed service response time. Eliminate those who do not guarantee a response time or whose time isn't acceptable. You want a "fire department" response.

Story at a Glance

Points to consider when buying a first computer system or up grading... tips on evaluating company, hardware, software, selices...a checklist for both technology and reliability.

lf you have to mail the component parts of your system anywhere, something is wrong. Mail or parcel services can be late. How safe do you feel mailing your valuable equipment?

Software support should cover the same response time issues, specifically availability. A support modem cuts down response time. However, certain instances require the support team to go to thejob-site to actually see the problem and fix it properly. Sometimes miscommunications between your staff and the computer support crew can aggravate the problem. If your vendor's software support staff is local, they can fix the problem quickly.

Conversion and Implementation: Ask to see each candidate's plan for implementation or implementation guide. This is the method used to help you convert from Your current system to your new computer solution. For the guide to be effective, it should detail: (1) communications procedures between the two companies; (2) tfre best locations for your equipment; (3) Proper terminology to avoid breakdowns in communicationt (4) the forms and suPplies needed, and (5) the entire conversion with the use of schedules and checklist.

This is your guide to success with your new systemthe more detailed, the better.

So/iware: After a preliminary demonstration, the vendor's representative should do a detailed analysis of the business to know how your software should be designed. He can then demonstrate more than bells and whistles and propose proper software.

Although a company may handle several lumberyards, it's possible the software doesn't do everything needed to run your business. Make certain the software can be customized. If it can't, you may be forced to change the way you do business.

Vendors providing periodic uPdates based on customer needs maY help you avoid customizing Your software. An upcoming update maY provide the change you need before arriving at that point in the implementation. But customize only if absolutely necessary. The costs and associated problems may outweigh the benefits.

Hardwqre: Look for companies which provide hardware that operates on industry specific operating systems. The industry provides software written to work with UNIX or ZENIX operating systems.

Determining who has the best hardware is difficult. First, the company must have a vision for the future of their technology. Ask them to present the hardware technology for you. Consult beforehand with someone who knows about computer technologY, so You are sure that what is being presented is the latest; not old technology.

There are many other things to take into consideration, such as company size and stability, but these are the basics needed to reach your ultimate goala computer solution that works. Happy comPuting!