A Quick Guide to Making Technology ChoicesPRESENTED BY:
ALLEN PEMBERTON
PEMBERTON CONSULTING, LLC
Speaker Series
Follow a small business through process of updating technology to meet future demands A Quick Guide to making Technology choices
Methodology for selection and implementation of Core Business system
Developing a functioning Web Site for your Business
Decision process for selecting and establishing a web presence
Analyzing your online presence and the impact on your business success
Analyzing and optimizing your web site
Using customer information to increase sales
Tracking and utilizing your customer information to drive your business
How ‘cloud’ computing can benefit your business productivity
Utilizing cloud computing to improve your business reach and the bottom line
Setting the Scene
Acme Widgets Owner: John and Mary (Chilton) Winslow
Product: Widgets
Est: 2009
Employees: 5 FTE
Inventory: 500 SKU’s
Bus Type: Retail and Widget repair and service
Strategic Plan Created five year business plan with help of SBDC
40% growth per year, with web retail site
A Technology Selection Methodology
Objective: to present a simple methodology for small and medium size business owners and operators
Three steps: Gathering the Requirements
Developing Functional and Conceptual Requirements
Selection of the Solution
Identifying the correct vendor and making the decision
Implementation
Managing the solution implementation
Gathering the Requirements
Understanding your Basic Business System Needs Core Business Systems
Ancillary Business Systems
Identify your Team Employees
Outside Resources (Do’s and Don’ts)
Identify Functional Requirements The specific goals and objectives of the solution
Identify and document ancillary interfaces and requirements
Document Functional Requirement
Preparing to Select your Solution
Prioritize requirements Basic elements
Required elements
Nice to have elements
Identify potential solutions Resources
Web research
TAG of NW
Professional resources (CPA/Accountant)
Preparing to Select your Solution
Identify potential vendors Local (Web sites, SBDC, WWU, etc.)
Non- local (Regional)
Recommendations
Business associates
Business professionals
Qualifying Vendors Experience with solutions
Years in Business, References
Recommendations by business associates and business organizations
Selecting the Solution
Prepare request for vendor proposal Clear statement of need
Document specific requirements based on Functional Requirements
Statement of selection process
Publish the request to potential vendors Establish selection schedule
Date of publication of request
Date of bid closing
Expected selection date
Publish schedule to vendors with letter and requirements document
Selecting the Solution
Vendor response review Review each response as it arrives and rate based on prioritizations
Select two or three, if possible, responses that meet requirements
Schedule meeting for each vendor to demonstrate solution and address any question your team may have
Final selection Meet with selection team and select vendor solution
Notify other vendors of decision
Contact finalist and begin planning implementation
Implementation
Initial planning meeting with Vendor Establish implementation time table
Identify and establish specific elements to be implemented based on published requirements
Identify implementation team, both yours and vendor
Implementation Phases Design and configuration
Solution installation
Training
Testing
Go live
Questions?
Contact Info:
Allen J Pemberton
C: (360) 739-1070
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