An important IT decision for any EAP should be to make the right choice between buying an off-the-shelf application, using existing IT resources to build one or even purchasing an application with the intent to customize the program. I list some of the pros and cons for these options below.
Buy
Purchasing an off-the-shelf application will give you results without the wait. Before you choose your EAP software vendor, it is important to determine what features and functionality you require from your EAP software. Make sure your EAP software vendor’s application is highly customizable by the user. This will provide you with even more cost-savings in the long run by not having to pay the vendor to modify the application for simple changes. An application that is highly customizable by the user allows for the main source code to stay intact which results in easy software upgrades and long-term flexibility as your EAP grows. Furthermore, make sure your vendor of choice is an EAP professional as their product(s) will more accurately address your current and evolving needs.
Build
Building your own software is a way to use existing IT resources as they can build everything to meet your specific requirements. The decision to build internally becomes more attractive in this scenario. It is important to note that custom development takes time and is often more expensive in the long run when you factor in opportunity costs. This includes IT staffing that would be required to spend time on upgrade development, support and maintenance when they could be working on other internal projects. Also, be aware of the "feature creature” trap that, in the long run, can result in an unmanageable application that is very expensive to maintain for the EAP. Finally, consider your Go-Live date as it takes on average 1.5 - 2 years to build a complete solution from start to finish.
Both
Purchasing EAP software and then adding your own customizations is also a cost-effective solution. If you require any customizations to the program, find out the vendor’s hourly rate and get a commitment for a completion date. Some applications are sold under the guise of EAP software but lack the functionality and features that are unique to the industry. As a result, customization of an application can be expensive if the application has too many limitations from the start. It is important to select an application that is flexible and already meets most of your needs. An alternative to vendor customization is to purchase the source code and then customize internally. This will save time as you will not be required to start with a blank slate as you are building on an existing application.
Ultimately, EAPs should carefully consider if their IT resources are best spent dedicated to reinventing the wheel that EAP Software vendors have already built. Remember to do your research as there are many benefits to off-the-shelf applications that provide immediate benefits to the users in a cost-effective manner. It can be a big job buying software! It's an even bigger job building it!
Trackback Link
http://eapexpertsoftware.com/BlogRetrieve.aspx?BlogID=2946&PostID=113532&A=Trackback
Trackbacks
Post has no trackbacks.
Comments
Post has no comments.