Info-Tech Research Group Releases New Resource to Help IT Leaders Select the Right Enterprise Application Software

News provided by

Jun 12, 2023, 14:02 ET

Enterprise application software (EAS) is a large software system that provides a broad and integrated set of features that supports a range of business operations and processes across an organization. An EAS that is doing its job well is invisible to the business, but the challenges come when the tool is visible and has become a source of friction.

TORONTO, June 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - At a time when organizations are seeking to streamline productivity amid an uncertain economy, having the right enterprise application software (EAS) in place is critical to an organization's overall functionality. However, EAS systems are expensive, their benefits are difficult to quantify, and they often suffer from poor user satisfaction. In the current digital landscape, technology continues to evolve and organizational goals change, further complicating the adoption of the right EAS. In response to the challenges faced by IT and organizational leaders in selecting the best-fit solution for their organization's needs, global research and advisory firm Info-Tech Research Group has published its newest industry resource, Select an Enterprise Application.

Enterprise applications underpin every aspect of an organization’s operations and are the key drivers of success in the digital age. As they cross business and IT boundaries, leaders must build a platform for a sustainable enterprise applications portfolio that enables the key processes that drive the strategy of the organization. (CNW Group/Info-Tech Research Group)

The firm advises in the new resource that accountability for EAS success is shared between IT and the business. A unified approach to building the EAS strategy promotes an integrated roadmap so all stakeholders have clear direction on the future. The selection process must be driven by the organization's overall strategy, determined by using a structured requirements gathering process, and analyzed using a vendor evaluation framework.

"Too often, organizations jump into selecting replacement systems without understanding the needs of the organization. Alignment between business and IT is just one part of the overall strategy," says Hong Kwok, advisory director at Info-Tech Research Group. "Identifying key pain points and opportunities, assessed in the light of organizational strategy, will provide a strong foundation to the transformation of the EAS system."

The firm cautions that selecting and implementing an EAS is one of the most expensive and time-consuming technological transformations an organization can undertake. Organizations rarely have both sufficient knowledge and the resources to properly evaluate, select, and implement an EAS, forcing them to turn to external partnerships.

To provide IT and organizational leaders with the understanding and direction they need to make the right technology decisions, Info-Tech has created a four-phase process to successfully select an enterprise application software that supports the business strategy. The process, which is included in the recently released resource, is outlined below:

Align and assemble the team: Phase one will help IT leaders gain an understanding of recent EAS technology, validate readiness before starting EAS selection, and assemble an EAS selection team through identification of key players.
Define your EAS: The second phase requires the identification of business processes, inventory applications, and data flows, as well as gathering and prioritizing requirements.
Engage, evaluate, and finalize selection: Phase three helps IT leaders build an initial list of vendors and implementors to reach out to and create an evaluation checklist for rating the incoming responses.
Prepare for implementation: The fourth and final phase supports the discussion on what is required to transition to a proper implementation of the selected EAS.

Info-Tech Research Group reminds IT leaders that EAS technology is critical to facilitating an organization's flow of information across multiple business units and allows for the seamless integration of systems, creating a holistic view of the enterprise to support decision making. Having a structured approach to gathering the necessary resources, defining key requirements, and engaging with the right shortlist of vendors to select the best fit for the organization is crucial.

To access the full resource, which expands on the four key phases as outlined above, download Select an Enterprise Application.

For more information about Info-Tech Research Group or to view the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading information technology research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals. The company produces unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For more than 25 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with IT teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and over 200 IT and industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected].

SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group