Where’s the proof that you are a reputable company?
 
Make sure that you purchase your solution from a reputable company. Look for clues that will reveal whether the company is in good standing. Select a sizeable company with a significant and respectable customer base. Do your homework. Read their published case studies, customer testimonials, and press releases. Even go as far as to call up one of their big name customers for a referral.

Be sure to ask the vendor their number of purchased licenses. Vendors will often provide you with an impressive “number of users” when in reality, this number often includes every person who has downloaded a trial version of their software.

It is very important that you don’t take the sales staff’s word on anything that they promise. Have them prove all of their claims. Make sure you check out the credibility of their references and partnerships.

What to ask vendors:

• Do you have any partner relationships?

• Are you a Microsoft Certified Solution Provider?

• Who are your marquee customers?

• Can you share some recent testimonials from your customers?

• How many users are running your solution? What do you define as a “user”?

• How many customers do you currently have?

• What is your current number of purchased licenses?

• What is your current company size?

• Do you use the software internally?