Software reseller, Armstrong Consultants has produced a step-by-step guide to the evaluation, selection and implementation of business and financial software to take the stress out of the buying process. Time for Change is designed to provide helpful advice on what companies should be looking out for throughout the key stages of the procedure of updating software.

The decision to change business and financial software is not one to be taken lightly and the initial recognition that there is a need for change, including a full review of current systems, can itself be a long process. Then there is the task of selecting the right package from the vast array on offer. Time for Change steers buyers through three stages of the process from the strategic decision and key questions to keep in mind to elements of planning and the implementation process. An easy to follow planning time-line and project plan template is also provided to give a realistic guide to the process.

Stage one outlines the strategic decision and key questions to ask when considering a system upgrade; such as what will be required in five years time when the business has grown and learning from existing problems with current account systems.

Stage two details the daunting task of selecting a new system and the right supplier to implement the software. This section highlights the common mistakes made when selecting accounting software and tips on how to avoid these.

The final stage guides through the planning and implementation process of initiation, design, build, testing the new software against the original business objectives, staff training and the 'Go-Live'. This is followed by a colour coded planning timeline and example project plan.

Chris Bayne, managing director of Armstrong Consultants commented: "Our aim with this guide is to help companies of all sizes through the daunting task of selecting new finance software. The implication of choosing the wrong system can have detrimental effects on a business and it's important to choose the right system that can grow with the company in the long term to avoid the need for future upgrades."

You can read more from this guide in iTSHOWCASE News Autumn 2006 issue.