Re: What tools do you use? Re Transmit

[Smokey Lynne L Bare <slbare -at- JUNO -dot- COM>]

Debbie,

Keep in mind when you look at these tools, you first must have some facts
and figures in front of you.  It is like looking in a bike shop at
10-speed bikes when you have funds for a 3-speed.  And most importantly,
the family members who will be using the bike must have the stamina and
coordination (not regular riders/users) to use all the gears available on
the top-end bike.

In other words.... count the number of licenses or users of the
product....are you getting an enterprise purchase license....what is your
budget, general learning curve of end users....and so on.   Get those
oars in the water first before you push off from the dock.  Sure it's
nice to have the high-end, bells-and-whistle packages, but don't waste
your time or the vendors if you don't have the budget to back the
purchase.  And most importantly, upgrade contracts need to be included,
as well as SUPPORT (and I don't mean 1-800 numbers, which a person can
never get through).

Everybody has different management reasoning and factors in their
companies that drive purchases.  And most of the time, it is not the
ideal tool....even if it costs the company more in time and labor.

Send out a 'green paper' prior to your RFPs to all administrative level
management.  Do not forget to include your long-term contract consulting
firms.  They need to be compatible with your software as well, or you
will have another hidden cost.  Many times companies will use the
consulting firms management tools, i.e., Method One, LBMS, and so on.
This is another oar which needs to be identified.  Then you will be ready
for your 'white paper' to build your business case for acquiring tools,
and the suggested product line listings.

Think of it as preparing for an ISO audit for Registration (hmmm remember
not certification), find three (3) issues with every request...have the
answer or possible solution ready for it (this is where
contractors/vendors need to share in the ownership of providing help on
the answers)...and then you'll be ready for moving into your search for
tools.

Smokey

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