Things To Look For In A Software Vendor

Searching for the right software vendor, arguably one of the most important administrative decisions that a transplant center makes, can be a daunting task and every program seems to have its own approach.  There are, however, some things that all centers should consider to determine which vendor and solution best fit their needs.

 

• Ability. When you’re choosing a transplant software vendor, you need to know that the company you’re working with has both clinical and technical expertise and experience. Because you’ll be relying on the vendor’s recommendations, they need a solid understanding of the transplant process and your specific needs in order to help you with implementation (including legacy data migration) and on-going operations.

 

• Stability. It’s important to check out how long the company has been in business and the number of employees they have. Length of time in business is a strong indicator of financial stability, reliability, and an understanding of client needs and how to meet them.  The longer the software vendor has worked with transplant administrators and clinicians, the stronger their knowledge of the transplant industry will be. Companies that have been in business longer are more likely to be around in the years to come to offer support and upgrades. The answers to questions such as: is your company profitable; are you venture capital funded; and, what is your annual customer retention rate, should be weighed just as heavily (or more) than the feature set.

 

• Agility. Your software vendor should know how to keep your business compliant with all regulations while streamlining your workflow. They should fully understand best practices that will help you reach your current and future goals. A good question to ask: “What changes do you see in the transplant industry in the next few years and how are you preparing for them?”

 

Budget, features, and service impact your decision making, but it’s also very important that you choose a software vendor you can depend on. By selecting a stable and experienced software developer, you can increase the likelihood of successfully installing a system that will be integral to your operations and move your program forward.