Software Buying Advice for Small Businesses
OTTAWA —April 10, 2006—Corel Corp. is providing a tip per day on how small businesses can make the most of their software purchases.
“The software industry, in some cases, has reached a tipping point where new features provide marginal value to small business users,” said Richard Carriere, general manager for office productivity, in a company announcement. “While it is important to continue providing useful new features, it is equally important to improve ease-of-use, so users can get more value out of the products than they have been able to in the past.”
Following is the seven days’ advice on buying software for small business, from the announcement:
Day 1: Research your purchase. It won't take long. Search for software online, chat with your local computer reseller, or simply go to software makers’ websites. The web is the number 1 place customers visit for product information and software makers know it. They'll often have tools online that help you choose.
Day 2: Don't overcomplicate your life. Buy software that won't require a lot of training. Look for a clean user interface and simple one-click tools, wizards and templates. Sometimes training features, books or videos come included in the software. Software that's easy to use will save you stress and money since you won't need to purchase extra training or technical support when you find yourself in over your head in a complicated piece of software.
Day 3: Think twice about overly complicated software. Remember that many technology vendors develop software principally for enterprise customers, and you might be paying for features you don't need. Determine what your needs are and buy software accordingly. If you need an office suite and email, but aren't planning to share files over a server with hundreds of other users, chances are you don't need a complicated, enterprise-oriented software package.
Day 4: Be your own help desk. When buying software, check out the vendor’s tech support policy. Does the vendor provide free support online or by email? How much will telephone support cost? Can you get help from the store where you bought your software? When you buy software that’s easy to use and that comes with some level of free support, you’ll have most of the tools you need to handle most problems yourself.
Day 5: Look for high-quality software priced affordably. Small businesses owners need to be smart in terms of the products they buy. Steer clear of free software that might be lacking in performance or support, and don't take a risk by running pirated software. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Seek affordable software from a trusted brand, and try it first. Most software companies now let you download free trial software.
Day 6: Shop for flexibility. Don't overspend on different software for different tasks. Look for software that allows you to accomplish myriadbusiness tasks from within one box. Customers have been buying office suites for years, and most makers of creative software now offer software the same way. Shop for the mix of software that you need and you'll save a bundle.
Day 7: If you have more than one machine, think about licensing. If you're installing software on more than one or two PCs in your business, ask about licensing. You may be surprised at the savings. Also ask about tech support or upgrade programs. Some software companies offer a lot of flexibility in terms of what a license purchase can include.
www.corel.com
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