By CAL Business Solutions
HOW TO ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS, AVOID HIDDEN COSTS & UNDERSTAND THE QUOTE
Now that you’ve decided it’s time to upgrade your accounting software, the next question is: “How much does it cost?” Unlike other purchases, it’s not as easy as finding a price tag on the bottom of the box. There are many variables – ways you can save money, waste money, and lots of hidden costs to avoid – that all factor into your total project price. Believe it or not, software is only a fraction of the total cost.
Budgeting the cost of accounting software
So how can a smart CFO budget for the total cost of a mid-market accounting software implementation? The first logical person to ask would be an accounting software Partner or VAR (Value Added Reseller). But like any good IT professional, they will likely give you the non-committal answer of, “It depends!” This is actually a valid response, but it certainly doesn’t work as a line item in your budget formula (or help you get approval from your board of directors)!
Taking the guesswork out of software pricing
Over the past 26 years, the team at CAL Business Solutions has quoted and installed financial management software for hundreds of customers. Our goal in creating this detailed guide is to finally take the guesswork out of the costs involved in accounting software/ERP implementation projects. This guide will help you learn:
- Exactly what you should expect (and demand) in your quote.
- 30 critical questions you must ask to avoid hidden costs.
- 16 ways to save money and avoid the mistakes other companies make.
Plus bonus material:
- First Things First: What to Do Before the Quote
- How to Pick the Right Software Partner
- Why Do ERP Projects Go Over Budget?
- ERP Project Quote Worksheet
Anatomy of a Software Quote
Any good Partner should be able to give you a ballpark dollar figure after an initial requirements discussion, but the final quote is usually presented after several conversations and demos. A complete ERP project has many components and we will break it down into three categories: Section 1: Software
- Licensing Fees
- Enhancement Fees
- Add On Product Fees
- Discounts
Section 2: Services
- Implementation
- Data Conversion
- Integration
- Customization
- Training
- Support
Section 3: Hardware
- The Server
- SQL Operating System
- Deployment Options