Choosing a Vendor

How does your organization choose its technology vendors? Functionality alone? Cost? Proven support capability? Do you rely on site visits or the experience of other companies to guide you? Or is it all of the above?

Eagle has a very simple, streamlined checklist for QAD customers seeking an automated data collection solution.  At a minimum, we think your new solution should:

1. Integrate seamlessly with QAD Enterprise Applications, without middleware, additional servers or changes to QAD code.

2. Capture and upload transactions at the source, in real time: no batch process, no drip, no "dribble" - in other words, "real" real time

3. Enable fault-proof data accuracy, by calling QAD's edit and update routines with no intermediate server, middleware or modifications to the QAD code

4. Provide a unified, standard, yet flexible solution that allows for site-specific requirements

5. Meet changing industry-specific and regulatory requirements

6. Demonstrate high levels of customer satisfaction with product, service and support

7. Achieve "Total Cost of Ownership" goals (labor cost, efficiency, inventory management, productivity).

Questions to Ask

If you are a QAD customer considering an automated data collection solution, be sure to ask your potential vendor the following questions:

Will the application provide functionality that enhances, exceeds and leverages the value of your QAD system?

How extensive is the vendor's "footprint"? Can they provide global services and a global presence?

How extensive is the vendor's "knowledge base"?

Do their consultants or implementation teams have years of experience with QAD Enterprise Applications?

Do their consultants or implementation teams have years of experience in your industry?

Is their application written in Progress?

Does it have direct access to the QAD database, without intermediate server, middleware or modifications to the QAD code?

Can the application call QAD's own edit and update routines?