Research Resources for Business Software

Here are seven resources that can make the job of choosing the right software easier and more productive:

1. Word of mouth. The easiest, fastest, and sometimes most reliable source of information is often a friend who is already using the software you need. Ask successful peers what they use, what alternatives they considered and why they chose as they did. If you know them and their business well enough to translate their experience to your situation, this may be all you need. Unfortunately, most of the time there will be enough differences between your needs and those of your acquaintance to send you further afield for answers.
   
2. Computer trade press reviews. The general computer trade press makes its living reviewing products, including software. If the software you seek has a wide enough market, it will be reviewed in the trade press. InfoWorld, PC Magazine, CMP net (techweb.com) and a host of others review software from operating systems and development environments to PIMs and fax servers. The major print publications all have online versions, and most have searchable archives of past articles.
   
3. Industry and professional press. If you want software that isn't really "mass market" but rather a standard tool in your business (CAD software, graphics programs, industrial controls, etc.), try the trade press and professional journals for the relevant line of business. Publishing and design are the best represented on the Web (for obvious reasons), but many other disciplines are there as well.
   
4. Usenet news groups. Usenet newsgroups are a great place to catch up on the latest rumors, problems and solutions for widely used programs, from CAD packages to operating systems to graphics programs and spreadsheets. Before you take the plunge with a new program or even a major upgrade, check the newsgroups for others' reactions. You can even post a request for advice from the other readers.
   
5. E-mail newsletters and lists. Like more highly focused versions of the Usenet hierarchy, email newsletters and mailing lists serve communities in the widest range of interest areas. Chances are, there is at least one and maybe several whose readers share an interest in the software you want. If it is a newsletter, you may find helpful product reviews in its archives. On some mailing lists it may be "socially acceptable" to simply ask for advice and opinions.
   
6. Vendor sites. The obvious place to look, of course, but there is more to see than glowing descriptions of features and benefits. Check their customer support pages. Look for downloadable upgrades, patches and FAQs. These can give you a sense of the kinds of problems users experience, and of that vendor's responsiveness to them. Some vendors run their own Usenet user forums, while others may point you to public forums that cover their product.
   
7. Resellers and systems integrators. You could always farm out the whole job of evaluating, installing, configuring and customizing the software you need. Resellers and systems integrators exist to serve practically every niche market in computing. Many offer training and maintenance as well. Depending on the scale and complexity of what you are trying to accomplish, you may find their services worth every penny.

Even if you intend to do it yourself, these service providers can be a good source of information and opinion on the software available to solve your problem. These parties may not be disinterested, but they are certainly experienced!