Recently cities have been rushing to buy different software because of steep cost increases and forced “upgrades” from “established” vendors. I’ve written extensively about the damage done to Govtech by Private Equity, so I’d like to focus on the selection process.
Most legacy software vendors don’t want to discuss the “plumbing” on which their systems are built. This is because most systems are derived from 1980s designs, and they have been “refreshed” with new front ends to make them look modern. This approach is prevalent in Govtech and it’s a very bad situation. Legacy systems saved millions by putting new front ends on outdated systems. This adds to the complexity and makes the systems less stable and more difficult to maintain. Outdated functionality is covered over and work arounds are required. Release updates are painful and expensive.
Changing enterprise software is too important to do based solely on a vendor presentation. The “plumbing” behind the screens is more important than the slick front end.
There is a misconception in Govtech that software features should be the determining factor in a software decision. Many organizations delegate the decision to the clerical staff who will actually use the software. This practice has led to a lot of expensive mistakes and frustration.
Legacy software vendors have become very adept at demonstrations. They highlight features and make the system look very appealing. The problem is that the demo isn’t performed with your data and your people. The actual reality is completely different than the demo scenarios and your processes are usually very different. What takes a few clicks for the demo expert, might take a lot more time for your organization. Most vendors expect you to adopt their “best practices” and failing to do so will result in a lot more expense for you to adapt to the way their software is designed.
You should never buy software based solely on a demo. You should schedule a detailed discussion with other agencies who have actual experience using the software. You should visit their sites if possible and dig into the entire implementation process.
Customers who are frustrated with their existing systems should be wary of jumping into an alternative that could be worse.
TownCloud has made the investment in modern architecture and modern functionality. Our systems are engineered for the future. Functionality can be added but architecture is permanent.