When it comes to procuring software for your business, you will always benefit from the assistance of an industry expert, however some experts are better than others. You can either choose to procure software from a value added partner or what we like to call a 'big box shifter'. There is much better value in working with an experienced partner and here we will explain why.
The problem with working with 'big box shifters' is that you end up getting passed between different members of their sales team and often end up having to tell about ten different people what you are looking for. When you work with a value added partner, you will be designated a single expert to work with. This means you will only have to discuss your requirements once (unless you have other things to add later) and can benefit from a more personalised procurement experience.
Value added partners also have greater experience working with a wider range of software and will have undergone (often significant amounts of) training. Unlike 'big box shifters', they don’t just sell the software, but extend, install/configure and integrate it too, meaning they can go beyond simply telling you a list of basic pros and cons. Their superior knowledge will help you to trust their judgement better and give you more confidence in buying the software they recommend for your business.
Another benefit of procuring software from a value added partner is that they will go the extra mile to take care of your business. They will spend the time getting to know your business, operations and needs; listening to what you say, rather than just talking at you. It is this approach to software procurement that enables value added partners to recommend the best software solutions to meet businesses’ needs and requirements. Choose to work with a value added partner and have the peace of mind that you will never end up paying for software that you don’t really need.
A value added partner is not just going to sell you a piece of software and leave you to get on with it like a 'big box shifter' would. After finding the right software for your business, a value added partner often has the skill to help you to implement the software on your system and integrate it with other software you use.
If beneficial to you, they can spend time training your employees on how to use the software, whilst also providing support in the form of a helpdesk or remote access. This means that when you have a query or something goes wrong with your software, you can always go to them for help and advice.
Many value added partners go beyond software procurement by providing their clients with software upgrades and patches on a regular basis. Basically rather than it being a one-off sale they work to create a long-lasting professional relationship with clients, enabling them to get the most out of their software.
If you are currently looking to source new software for your business, we certainly recommend working with a value added partner like ourselves. Not only can you benefit from working with experts with valuable knowledge of industry software, but you can also have the peace of mind that we have your best interests at heart. For more information about our software procurement services, contact us today on 0131 603 7912 or use the live chat feature on our website. We look forward to working with you!