This Ready-to-Use RFP Master is focused on selecting enterprise resource planning, & ecommerce system software solutions, and provides benefits that go far beyond those of traditional RFPs that are limited to asking vendors about the availability of ERP software features . Specialized for use in complex information system environments, this RFP Master collects information from vendors about all apects of the enterprise resource planning & ecommerce software implementation project they are proposing. Actual screens and questions from this RFP are shown below to illustrate how it enables you to easily collect the unique metrics needed to successfully identify, acquire, and implement the enterprise resource planning with computer telephony integration software solution best suited to your company's needs. (Click thumbnails to enlarge)
A Detailed & Comprehensive List of:
Identify BOTH ERP & E-commerce Software Features Availability and Deliverability
Unlike other RFPs that try (and fail) to gather useful solutions data about complex enterprise resource planning & ecommerce system features, RFP Masters are not constrained to the use of summary-level "Yes" or "No" answers. This RFP Master uses a Feature Support Matrix (FSM) that identify BOTH feature AVAILABILITY and DELIVERY Method. This RFP Master function is useful during both the enterprise resource planning with computer telephony integration software selection AND the system implementation phases of large projects because it enables effective Earned Value Management through detailed cross-referencing of usable software functionality and vendor invoicing.
Determine the Risk & Supportability of Proposed
Weighted Grade Score Graph
Compares the Weighted Grade Point Score calculated for each proposed system. This is calculated as follows: The vendor response to each RFP question is assigned an unweighted "raw" score. This raw score is then multiplied by the weight factor you entered previously (default = 1) for that RFP question to calculate the weighted score for each response. All of these individual scores are then totaled for use in this comparison. This score is essentially a measure of how well a enterprise resource planning & ecommerce software system fits your business and software needs, prioritized by the weight (importance level) you assigned to each question in the RFP. In essence, this score measures the SUITABILITY of each proposed software system to your overall requirements. . NOTE this score measures just software functionality, and does not include any measure of vendor background, expertise, support, or programming ability.
Feature Delivery Method Comparison:
An analysis of how each vendor is proposing to deliver the software feature/function contained in their proposal. The graph below shows the percentage that is Fully Supported "out-of-the-box", the percentage to be done via Report Writer, a Configuration Parameter, or Third-Party add-in, versus the percentage to be done via Custom Coding (Scripting / Programming). This information is very useful in terms of identifying RISK, since a Fully Supported (and tested) feature presents far less risk than that same feature done as a "custom programming" task. Also, see the Supportability Index, which sums up these detail risk factors.
Supportability Index Graph:
The Supportability Index is a forecast of how much software support and maintenance may be required to keep each proposed ERP & ecommerce system running at full potential over it's lifetime. This score is determined by how much custom coding is required to implement the proposed enterprise resource planning & ecommerce software, and which business processes depend on the customized software.
Overall Comparison Graph:
This graph compares both the Weighted Grade (Suitability) Score, Supportability Index, and the Vendor Capabilities Profile side-by-side for easy reference. It is important to see how much custom coding is in a proposed system that also has a high Weighted Score, along with the Vendor Profile. The more custom code, the higher the risk posed by that system. Therefore, the more custom coding, the more expertise and capabilities a vendor should have.
Vendor Profile Score Graph:
The backgrounds, expertise, capabilities, and certifications of each vendor is obtained in the Vendor Global Issues section of the RFP. The vendor responses to this section are totaled separately from the software functionality topics, and this data is used to calculate the "Vendor Profile Score". The higher the score, the more CAPABILITIES a vendor is probably going to be.
Color-Coded, "Apples-to-Apples" Comparison of Proposed Systems
Workflow Topics Included.
The ability of the proposed software to successfully integrate with existng business process workflows, or implement new workflows, is critical to a achieving the high productivity increases and ROI expected of the new ERP & ecommerce system. This RFP Master examines all pertinent Workflow features in detail.
Vendor Response Input Validation.
Vendors must answer each RFP question by choosing from a pre-defined list of possible responses. See below for an example of this drop-down list. This forces all vendors to respond to each enterprise/business, web, and computer telephony integration software question in a consistent, standard manner. Eliminates the days of time typically wasted trying to compare the inconsistent or incomplete vendor responses obtained by using traditional, non-quantitative RFP questions! Ensures vendor proposals are easy to compare and evaluate!
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