•  Over 25 years experience implementing business management software

•  Currently oversees the day-to-day operations of Oasis

•  Enjoys meeting with new and existing clients to discover ways to make their businesses better

•  Established in 1991 •  Headquartered in Louisville •  Offices in:

•  Lexington, KY •  Nashville, TN

•  Oasis has 10 consultants with combined 100 years of experience •  2 are CPA’s •  2 MBA and 1 CITP •  We consult on:

•  Accounting •  Human Resource •  Customer Relationship Management(CRM)

•  Annual re-certifications •  Continual training on Project Management •  Consultants that assists with Change

Management for new clients

What We Do:

•  Mid-Market Business Consulting on •  Accounting •  Human Resource •  Customer Relationship Management(CRM)

•  Recommend the BEST solution •  Project Manage •  Assist with Change Management •  Train Users •  Help Desk is local (we speak Kentucky!!) •  Assist with additional needs after we “go live”

Oasis Professional Services:

•  Process review and analysis •  Report Writing •  Custom Programming •  Training on products we sell •  FREE informational webinars •  FREE End User Group meetings annually •  FREE Virtual End User Group meeting quarterly •  Assist prospective customers to make the right

decision

Our discussion today will focus on How to Choose Business Management Software. •  This will be beneficial if you are a CPA in private

business and are looking for new software

•  This will be beneficial if you are a CPA in a firm and giving advice to your client

GET ON YOUR FEET ! Have you been part of a bad software implementation in the past 2 years Have you been part of a GOOD software implementation in the past 2 years Are you or a client getting ready to embark on a new software implementation

Very Small Business • QuickBooks • Sage 50 (Peachtree)

Small to Medium Business • Sage 100 (MAS 90/200) • Sage 500 (MAS 500) • ACCPAC • MS Dynamics • NetSuite

Large Business • Epicor • SAP • Navision

On Premise: Software is purchased up front Software is installed on inhouse server Hosted: Uses someone else’s hardware Stored at off-site location Co-Location: Uses your hardware but is stored at an off-site location SAAS: Provides access to an application that is paid monthly

Cloud or No Cloud: Advantages

No Server Space Needed

No Software Specific IT Needed

Backups Done For You

Access Available Anywhere with Internet

Cloud Disadvantages Cannot Function Without Internet Access

Renting Not Owning

Security: Hackers Commonly Reported

Ease of Product Migration

Visit with each member of your

organization who will be impacted

Talk with your CPA for a

recommendation

Document each team member’s

• Wants & Needs • Likes & Dislikes

SOFTWARE ANALYSIS  VENDOR 1  

VENDOR 2  

VENDOR 3  

                       REQUIREMENTS              GENERAL LEDGER              Chart of accounts has 30 characters   x   x   x  Consolidate multiple companies   x                                 ACCOUNTS PAYABLE              Uses MICR for check printing   x          Attach documents to invoice   x       x                         ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE                                     INVENTORY MANAGEMENT                                     SALES ORDER PROCESSING                                     PURCHASE ORDER PROCESSING                                     GENERAL FEATURES              

Have initial conversations with at least 3 different software vendors

Provide each vendor with a

list of requirements

See our list of questions you

should ask each

prospective vendor

1.  A copy of their scope of work. 2.  A copy of their work plan. 3.  What is the implementation process? 4.  What constitutes a successful project?

•  How is this determined? •  Give an example of recent work

5.  What constitutes an unsuccessful project? •  How is this determined? •  Give an example of recent work

6.  What is the process after you are “live”? •  What support is offered after you “go live”?

7.  Ask for three references, preferably the vendors’ three most recent implementations. 8.  Ask for a list of the vendor’s staff who will work on the project including the project

manager. •  Ask for implementation references for the project manager.

9.  Ask the references if there were any issues during or after implementation. If so, how were they handled

Work with

someone local if possible

Request a personalized

demonstration • Demo should be

based on your written

requirements • Involve all stakeholders

Reconvene with your team after the demo

• Discuss demo • Determine

additional vendor questions

Ask for

references • Ask to talk to the

vendor’s last 3 implementations

Request a quote for • Products • Services

• On-going costs

Never haggle on price—trust

your vendor

If you have additional questions

• It is ok to request additional demos

• Choosing the right partner and

software is essential

Choose the software that best fits your

company

Most importantly, choose the partner that best fits your

company

•  Too many spreadsheets •  Unacceptable performance •  Compliance concerns •  System reliability concerns •  Product obsolescence •  Support options become limited •  Employee morale

•  Project kickoff meeting with PM on both sides •  Installation •  Configuration •  Data transfer •  Training •  More Training •  GO LIVE ! •  Life is good

Involve everyone in the process

Record demos to ensure you are selecting the correct solution

Pick the right partner

!

! !