requirements RFP Software Selection Sample RFP Template Request for Proposal

   Use this comprehensive RFP template and vendor response evaluation toolkit to save time, reduce cost, and ensure selection of the best Time & Attendance software for your firm's needs. Eliminate the weeks of time needed to identify software requirements by using this proven, standard RFP containing hundreds of detailed criteria. In addition, this RFP identifies Earned Value Management points that can reduce implementation costs up to 35%.
   Quickly view quantitative, "apples-to-aples" comparison and custom weighted score analysis using the vendor response (proposal) evaluation tools included in this RFP Master & Toolkit, as shown below.
   Much more than simply a list of software features, each RFP Master contains key EXCEPTION CASE questions to help ensure the highest ROI and usability levels are attainable by the selected software, plus sections that investigate vendor background, scalability, support, pricing, and more. All are in familiar Excel spreadsheet format. Each streamlines the many complex tasks required to not just distribute an electronic RFP, but also to efficiently evaluate the vendor responses to that RFP!

Our RFPs are updated twice yearly so you have the newest RFP criteria at your finger tips. All with No-Nonsense 30 Day Money-Back Guarantee.

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Thousands of pre-configured RFP statements and questions in quantitative format. Why reinvent the wheel? View typical RFP questions. (T&A software topics shown)

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"APPLES-to-APPLES" COMPARISON of vendor RFP responses (proposals) is assured by extensive use of quantitative RFP questions and full vendor response validation. Compare proposed system software features side-by-side faster and more accurately with the fully automated Color Comparison Chart^™ matrix included with this RFP at no extra charge.

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IDENTIFY Feature AVAILABILITY & DELIVERABILITY. Unlike other RFPs, Infotivity RFP Masters automatically collect the information needed to identify BOTH the AVAILABILITY of software features, and their DELIVERABILITY, i.e., HOW those features will be delivered. Each RFP Master includes a Feature Support Matrix^™ (FSM) to automatically capture this information, which can be used to create very accurate and reliable software system implementation schedules.

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Determine RISK and SUPPORTABILITY. RFP Masters automatically evaluate vendor response data collected to quantitatively determine the SUPPORTABILITY INDEX^™ of each proposed software system. This index ranks the potential support problems inherent in each proposal. Accurately compare the amount of ongoing support needed to keep each proposed software system up and running. Measure the true impact of each system on your business over the long term.

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AUTOMATED WEIGHTED GRADE POINT SCORING is a quantitative measure of how well a proposed HR software system matches up to your business priorities. This graph compares the overall total scores for each proposed system. This Score is based on all vendor responses except Pricing and Vendor Background.

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Feature Delivery Methods This graph compares HOW each vendor is planning to deliver the proposed human resource system. The bars show how much of each competing system is going to be delivered Fully Supported "out-of-the-box", how much will be delivered using the Report Writer, a Configuration option or 3rd Party product, and how much is dependant on Custom Programming & Scripting. The scores used in this comparison are based on responses to software system questions only, i.e., no vendor, pricing, or support responses are utilized.

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Supportability Index A proposed human resource system could look very good on paper, but once implementation begins the reality could be very different. The ease with which a system can be implemented and maintained over it's expected life is controlled in large part by the amount of custom programming and scripting required to build & maintain the system. The Supportability Index is based on responses to Software System Features only. This graph compares the potential support effort inherent in each proposed system.

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Overall Comparison This graph compares the total Weighted Score of each proposed system along with its Supportability Index and associated Vendor Profile. Use this when assessing the RISK of a proposed HR system and whether or not the system can indeed be implemented by the proposing vendor successfully.

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Vendor Profile Scores This graph compares a score measuring the background, expertise, capabilities, and other data collected in the Vendor Global Issues section of the RFP. The Vendor Profile Score provides a way of assessing the Capabilities PROFILE of a proposing vendor.

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EVALUATION RATIOS our RFP with Extended Analysis also calculate many vendor response (proposal) evaluation ratios enabling a very detailed review of each vendor RFP response (proposal). (HR, Payroll, Time & Attendance shown.)
View more screens and questions for HR, Payroll, Time & Attendance Click Here!

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WORKFLOW TOPICS ensure the proposed software can be fully integrated and utilized to enhance business procedures at all levels of the enterprise.

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VENDOR RESPONSE VALIDATION saves time and effort, and reduces errors, when evaluating vendor software proposals.

Fully and easily customizable using standard Excel techniques.

Proven Excel technology. Everybody already knows Excel. Save time & effort across the board! No installation, no learning curve. On the flip-side, why force vendors to download special software, or learn new software, or be chained to the Web, just for an RFP? You do not want vendors to "PASS" on your RFP.

Click here to review RFP List!

Thousands of pre-loaded RFP questions ensure no important requirements "slip through the cracks". All questions are in quantitative format that ensures all vendor responses will be concise and easy to compare. All are professionally prepared by application specialists to address BOTH the STANDARD features and EXCEPTION CASE software functions required by a specific software application type.

Identify BOTH Software Features Availability and Deliverability

Unlike other RFPs that try (and fail) to gather useful solutions data about complex software system features, RFP Masters are not constrained to the use of summary-level "Yes" or "No" answers. Each RFP Master^™ uses a Feature Support Matrix^™ (FSM) that identifies BOTH feature AVAILABILITY and DELIVERY Method. This RFP Master function is useful during both the software selection AND the 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

Software Solutions
Unlike other RFPs, an RFP Master can illustrate potential support problems (and risk) inherent in vendor software proposals. The Feature Support Matrix^™ (FSM) used in each RFP Master^™ categorizes the inherent risk posed for each criteria, and uses that information to calculate the SUPPORTABILITY INDEX^™ for each vendor RFP response. For example, a feature delivered "out of the box" FULLY SUPPORTED is less risky than one delivered through custom programming, even if the programming is free. This RFP Master function is useful during both the software selection AND the implementation phases of a large system because it enables effective Earned Value Management through detailed cross-referencing of usable software functionality and vendor invoicing.

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 human resource 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 HR system running at full potential over it's lifetime. This score is determined by how much custom coding is required to implement the proposed human resource 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.

Evaluation Ratios

The Screen below describes all of the Vendor RFP Response evaluation ratios automatically calculated in our software RFP Masters:

"Apples-to-Apples" Comparison of Proposed Systems

Fast, Color-Coded Software Comparison
These comparison matrices automatically change vendor response cell background color to GREEN, YELLOW, or RED, to reflect how favorable each response is to your needs! Compared to the tedious task of reviewing hundreds of mono-color Yes/No answers, these colored responses allow problem areas to be spotted more easily, and risk assessment is made much more accurate. All required response comparison matrices are included and ready-to-use! Quickly and easily compare large-scale software system proposals side-by-side, feature by feature, in detailed comparisons you control! Keep your project on-schedule and under-budget.

Workflow Topics Included.

The ability of the proposed software to successfully integrate with existing business process work flows, or implement new workflows, is critical to a achieving the high productivity increases and ROI expected of the new 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 content management 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!

Click here to review RFP List!

All wording and HTML about online RFP/RFI/RFQ preparation,
rfp/rfi/rfq processing, response evaluation, software RFP sample,
and quantitative software selection
,document management software
,ERP software, ,accounting software
,manufacturing software, ,custom software, CRM software
COPYRIGHT © 1993 - 2011 Infotivity Technologies, Inc.
All Rights Reserved Suitability Analysis, Ready-to-Use RFP, RFP Master
Ready-to-Use RFP, and INFORequestor are trademark of Infotivity Technologies, Inc.

Click Thumbnail to Enlarge	Thousands of pre-configured RFP statements and questions in quantitative format. Why reinvent the wheel? View typical RFP questions. (T&A software topics shown)
Click Thumbnail to Enlarge	"APPLES-to-APPLES" COMPARISON of vendor RFP responses (proposals) is assured by extensive use of quantitative RFP questions and full vendor response validation. Compare proposed system software features side-by-side faster and more accurately with the fully automated Color Comparison Chart^™ matrix included with this RFP at no extra charge.
Click Thumbnail to Enlarge	IDENTIFY Feature AVAILABILITY & DELIVERABILITY. Unlike other RFPs, Infotivity RFP Masters automatically collect the information needed to identify *BOTH* the AVAILABILITY of software features, and their DELIVERABILITY, i.e., HOW those features will be delivered. Each RFP Master includes a Feature Support Matrix^™ (FSM) to automatically capture this information, which can be used to create very accurate and reliable software system implementation schedules.
Click Thumbnail to Enlarge	Determine RISK and SUPPORTABILITY. RFP Masters automatically evaluate vendor response data collected to quantitatively determine the SUPPORTABILITY INDEX^™ of each proposed software system. This index ranks the potential support problems inherent in each proposal. Accurately compare the amount of ongoing support needed to keep each proposed software system up and running. Measure the true impact of each system on your business over the long term.
Click Thumbnail to Enlarge	AUTOMATED WEIGHTED GRADE POINT SCORING is a quantitative measure of how well a proposed HR software system matches up to your business priorities. This graph compares the overall total scores for each proposed system. This Score is based on all vendor responses except Pricing and Vendor Background.
Click Thumbnail to Enlarge	Feature Delivery Methods This graph compares HOW each vendor is planning to deliver the proposed human resource system. The bars show how much of each competing system is going to be delivered Fully Supported "out-of-the-box", how much will be delivered using the Report Writer, a Configuration option or 3rd Party product, and how much is dependant on Custom Programming & Scripting. The scores used in this comparison are based on responses to software system questions only, i.e., no vendor, pricing, or support responses are utilized.
Click Thumbnail to Enlarge	Supportability Index A proposed human resource system could look very good on paper, but once implementation begins the reality could be very different. The ease with which a system can be implemented and maintained over it's expected life is controlled in large part by the amount of custom programming and scripting required to build & maintain the system. The Supportability Index is based on responses to Software System Features only. This graph compares the potential support effort inherent in each proposed system.
Click Thumbnail to Enlarge	Overall Comparison This graph compares the total Weighted Score of each proposed system along with its Supportability Index and associated Vendor Profile. Use this when assessing the RISK of a proposed HR system and whether or not the system can indeed be implemented by the proposing vendor successfully.
Click Thumbnail to Enlarge	Vendor Profile Scores This graph compares a score measuring the background, expertise, capabilities, and other data collected in the Vendor Global Issues section of the RFP. The Vendor Profile Score provides a way of assessing the Capabilities PROFILE of a proposing vendor.
Click Thumbnail to Enlarge	EVALUATION RATIOS our RFP with Extended Analysis also calculate many vendor response (proposal) evaluation ratios enabling a very detailed review of each vendor RFP response (proposal). (HR, Payroll, Time & Attendance shown.) View more screens and questions for HR, Payroll, Time & Attendance Click Here!
Click Thumbnail to Enlarge	WORKFLOW TOPICS ensure the proposed software can be fully integrated and utilized to enhance business procedures at all levels of the enterprise.
Click Thumbnail to Enlarge	VENDOR RESPONSE VALIDATION saves time and effort, and reduces errors, when evaluating vendor software proposals.
	Fully and easily customizable using standard Excel techniques.
	Proven Excel technology. Everybody already knows Excel. Save time & effort across the board! No installation, no learning curve. On the flip-side, why force vendors to download special software, or learn new software, or be chained to the Web, just for an RFP? You do not want vendors to "PASS" on your RFP.