Besides evaluating the solutions provided by Business Intelligence software vendors, you should also research the vendors themselves. Here are some critical elements to consider:
References- Are there reference customers who are willing to talk with you? If so, ask them about the Business Intelligence software vendor’s responsiveness and commitment to customer service.
Professional Services
- Can the vendor understand your specific situation?
- Does the vendor offer a full-range of services to help you optimize your use of Business Intelligence software? Services can include: strategic planning; project management; data integration; and analytic guidance.
- Does the vendor provide training that enables you and your team to use the solution as a knowledgeable user who can use it to achieve the goals for which you purchased the system?
Pricing
- What pricing plans does the vendor offer?
- Are there any upfront fees?
- What are the ongoing costs? Is it an all-in cost for the right to use the application service, maintenance, and support? If not, what are the outlying costs?
- How do changes in data volume or number of users impact the cost?
Security
- Physical Security: How secure is the hardware containing the customer data?
- System Security: How secure are the networks and hardware containing the data? Are they hardened and tested against attack?
- Operational Security: Are the physical security and network environments operated in a secure manner?
- Reliability: Is the data available when you need it?
Please go download the Birst Security Whitepaper for more help in judging the security of vendors, your data, and application solutions.
