What we present below are the Top 10 issues Dresner's respondents have with BI software and service vendors, in whatever terms they describe a vendor to actually be. The results aren't tied here to a particular product or service. It's more of a laundry list that reflects the usual culprits: fees, maintenance, partners, domain expertise, flexibility, scope creep etc. We've heard them before, but why not sum them up?
So, in David Letterman fashion, here are Howard's findings in reverse order (drum roll please).
Top Ten biggest issues with vendors or products:
#10 Experience of consulting group
#9 Product customization and extensibility
#8 Time for tech support to resolve problems
#7 Continuity of consulting resources
#6 Sales Flexibility/Accommodation during acquisition process
#5 Upgrade/migration to new versions of product
#4 Contractual terms and conditions
#3 Understanding our business/needs
#2 Consulting value for price paid
And the number one issue with BI vendors or products:
#1 Integration with 3rd party technologies (play fanfare)
I think it makes for an interesting finding, and maybe a checklist to hang onto. Given the times we're living in, I couldn't have handpicked a better number one myself.
What about you? Feel free to share your own pet peeves with software/service vendors below and if you want to take Howard's Wisdom of Crowds survey yourself, just click here.
- Resolve your politics prior to engaging us - Be open to smaller firms who may actually have better price, experience and expertise. (*clients say they are but they aren't) Especially by industry. - Tell us what the terms & conditions need to be. We all have lawyers to deal with...let's cut to the chase. - Going "radio silent" is rude under any circumstance. - The old adage still applies "you want it fast, high quality and cheap....pick two" - If you don't know what the problem is, you need us more than you realize.
I'm sure my compatriots have more to add.