How to scope and evaluate software and plan your move off WorkflowMax

As WorkflowMax approaches its retirement in June 2024, it's important to start planning for a smooth transition to a new job management software that aligns with your business needs. However, researching and evaluating software solutions can be overwhelming. This guide aims to assist you in scoping and evaluating potential job management software solutions, enabling you to make an informed decision. 

By following these steps, you can find a solution that helps ensure the continued efficiency of your business operations.

The importance of software scoping and evaluation

Understanding the importance of software scoping and evaluation is key before embarking on the research and evaluation process. It helps identify cost-effective, easy-to-implement solutions that offer a great user experience. It also helps prevent costly mistakes and helps ensures the chosen system remains relevant in the long term.

Scoping a software solution

Scoping a software solution involves assessing, among other things, the features, capabilities, cost, implementation timeline, and user experience to determine the best fit. Start by identifying your organisation's needs and objectives, then create a list of required features. It's a good idea to highlight things which are must haves and things which are nice to have. This narrows down the potential solutions and facilitates the evaluation process.

Features to consider

When scoping a software solution, it's crucial to thoroughly consider the features and capabilities offered by each option to help ensure it aligns with your organisation's needs. When evaluating software, business owners may want to look for: 

• Automation features that can streamline processes and help reduce manual labour
• Integration capabilities that allow seamless connectivity with other systems such as your CRM or accounting software
• Robust security measures to protect sensitive data from malicious attacks
• Scalability to accommodate future growth and ensure the software can adapt to the changing needs of the business

Tips for evaluating software solutions

Once you have a shortlist of potential software solutions, it's time to evaluate them. Here are some tips to help you in the evaluation process:

• Request demonstrations to gain a better understanding of the software's features and functionality, you want to be able to see your business reflected back at you in the new software
• Test the software through free trials - it's a good idea to take a real life job (with personal data changed of course) and see if there are any limitations or surprises
• Ask for references from other customers

Important questions to ask

When evaluating software solutions, ask the right questions to gather essential information. 

Key questions may include:

1. What features does the software offer?
2. What is the cost and implementation timeline? Is it per user or bundle of users?  
3. What features are add-ons and do they cost more for the same functionality?
4. How secure is the software - do they offer multi-factor authentication (MFA) and what infrastructure do they use?
5. Is the software scalable?
6. What support options are available and does it cost extra?
7. What is the user experience like?
8. What reviews exist about the software?
9. How many POs or jobs can the system handle without performance issues?
10. Does the company provide regular updates and enhancements?
11. Is the company well-funded?

Avoiding common evaluation mistakes

To help ensure an effective evaluation process, avoid common mistakes such as:

• Not properly scoping and evaluating software solutions
• Skipping the testing phase before making a decision
• Neglecting to ask for references or demonstrations
• Failing to consider cost, implementation timeline, and user experience

Creating a software evaluation report

After evaluating the software solutions, create a comprehensive report that includes an overview of the solutions, your evaluation criteria, and conclusions. The report should provide a clear comparison of the evaluated software solutions.

Seek expert advice

WorkflowMax has a global community of very passionate software implementation partners who can help you navigate this transition. If you have more complex business requirements, or simply no time to focus on this, then reach out to a partner for support. Many partners have developed one off WorkflowMax transition packages that include needs analysis, discovery, scoping and evaluation to help you choose the right solution for your business. Visit our Partner page on the website to find a partner.

Stay informed about the new WorkflowMax by BlueRock

Xero has announced that BlueRock, a tech-led advisory firm, has acquired the WorkflowMax brand and is currently developing a new product called WorkflowMax by BlueRock. This upcoming solution will offer similar features and functionality to Xero's WorkflowMax software. 

To stay updated on the development progress and get a sneak peek of the new product, as well as to have the opportunity to make feature requests and ask questions, register on the WorkflowMax by BlueRock website. Simply visit www.workflowmax2.com and sign up for updates. By registering, you'll be the first to know when the product launches in early 2024. Customers will not automatically be migrated to this solution.* 

Visit the Xero App Store

With a variety of job management solutions and other apps to choose from you can also consider visiting the Xero App Store to explore other solutions that may suit your needs. Visit https://apps.xero.com/

Scoping and evaluating software solutions may seem challenging, but by following these steps, this should help you can navigate the process with confidence. Taking the time to properly scope and evaluate software solutions will help you find the best fit for your organisation.

* Please note that if you purchase WorkflowMax by BlueRock, you accept that Xero will receive a revenue share from WorkflowMax by BlueRock. WorkflowMax by BlueRock is not a Xero product so we recommend you check it out for yourself to make sure it’s the right fit for you. Xero is not responsible for information provided by BlueRock or the WorkflowMax by BlueRock product.