Pitfall No. 5 : Pick the Wrong Technology Partner(s)

With hundreds of materials management software vendors to choose from, one should be able to find a solution that meets the specific process functionality needs. Making a velldor choice based on product features alone can be catastrophic. It may end up being a poor business choice. This can happen for a 

variety of reasons, including given as under : 

• Getting Boxed into a Proprietary Corner : It is important to understand not just what a product does, but also how it does it. Many vendors have developed closed technologies around which to build their products. Their database structure, programming language, report writer, GUI builder, etc. may be based on a proprietary architecture that only they use and support. While their products may have the features that meet one's needs, the proprietary nature of their approach can negatively impact the ability to easily expand or enhance the system to meet the future needs. 
• Buying Technical Vs Materials Process Expertise : How well does the vendor understand the problem one is hying to solve ? Several vendors have strong technology skills. But, they are weak in really understanding how their technology will be put to use. A vendor's limited knowledge and understanding of the underlying business problem one is trying to solve, can negatively impact the project. 
• Picking a Short-Term Player : Having the best technology does not ensure survival. Other issues such as the management team, financial resources, business partners, etc. also become key to determining who one picks as the computerisation technology partner.