Buying an ILS What You Can Do Beth Kinchlea London Public Library

Research Phase Where is the company going? What are the trends in the software? Know your own system infrastructure Doing the background work… Read, Read, READ!

Research Phase Examine the work from the standpoint of the staff doing it – Talk to the staff in each department; – Talk about what “could” be Examine the work from the standpoint of others who understand systems – Have a neutral party observe the work; – Evaluate from the standpoint of new trends Know what you want…

Research Phase What I want…. Separate the “hows” from the “whats” Assign priority to those things which cost the most What I can do without… What are the elements of the software I don’t really need? Which module has priority and why? Wish List Development

Research Phase Function Ability to automatically change the status of an item without checking it in Module Circulation (+3) Priority High (+3) Total 6 Wish List Development

RFP Phase Corporate Info fiscal information references from similar installations familiarity with library type System Info Complete description of system architecture; What their comfort level is with the type of install “Fit” with current architecture

RFP Phase Functionality articulate everything you expect—don’t take anything for granted! inquire about future directions Implementation articulate expectations around time-frames understand the work and what resources will be required to get it done

Decision Phase Review RFP responses against wish list of functionality; Site visits to confirm functionality and “fit” Reference checks of all modules

Decision Phase Weight responses using the formula: module vs. function Look carefully for half answers – can you live with half the function? Watch for “future development”—can you afford to wait? Alternatively, have you the resources to beta test any custom programming? Review RFP Responses

Decision Phase Go knowing what your top priorities are and ask to see them specifically; Send list of questions beforehand so the site knows what you hope to see; Try to see the version closest to the one described in the RFP response. Site Visits to determine functionality

Decision Phase Develop list of questions and don’t deviate from the script; Try to talk to the person who uses the module you are calling about; Talk to libraries closest to yours in “mind set” Reference Checks

Decision is Made You are the expert on your system and what it needs. By sticking to the plan, comparing apples to apples, you’ll have a defensible decision when you finish. Now on to implementation!….