CTS Survey Reveals the Real-World Benefits of CTS’ Services

As the need for better business software has grown, CTS’ role as a leading resource for assisting companies to make the right choice in software has grown as well. Why? Because an over-burdened software selection team that doesn’t have time to perform in-depth due diligence on dozens of solutions can turn to a quality site like CTS for help.

Registerants at our website include companies who are looking for range of software from from simple manufacturing job shop programs or job cost accounting for contractors, to full blown ERP systems for manufacturers and distributors.

Conducting the Survey

To objectively answer the question, "How does CTS help with the selection process", we sampled a number of companies that registered for the Software Selection Kit in 2010 and took advantage of our Smart™ Shortlist Consult—a free 10-minute phone consultation that helps companies create a software shortlist. Each survey question included multiple pre-defined “pick lists” choices, as well as a free-form field for submitting additional comments. One hundred and fifty prospective software buyers responded.

The results of the CTS Software Selection Survey are surprising at times and reaffirm that, despite the economic downturn, many companies are implementing new software. A summary of our survey results follows.

How Helpful was CTS During the Software Selection Process?

When we asked the CTS Survey respondents to rate the helpfulness of our services, 95% of the responses were positive; 59% responded with Very Helpful and 36% responded with Somewhat Helpful. As Exhibit B indicates, only 5% of respondents stated that CTS did not play a helpful role in their software selection process.

Survey Chart
Exhibit B

Among companies that purchased software, 75% rated CTS’ role in their decision-making process as Somewhat Helpful to Very Helpful, even when they did not purchase a CTS-recommended solution. This confirms the fact that our quality reviews and evaluation tools are valuable resources for identifying and screening the best software options for a particular operation. When these resources and CTS’ free 10-minute phone consult are utilized, companies indicate that they are getting an informed opinion with solid recommendations that help confirm or challenge a choice they are about to make.

Among the respondents who did buy software, 61% purchased a CTS-recommended solution. We’re pleased to report that 82% of those respondents are at least Somewhat Satisfied with their choice – and 42% are Very Happy with their new software. Comments from companies that chose a CTS-recommended solution include:

“Great fit to our requirements.”
“Right complexity for our business.”
“Meets our expectations without overwhelming us with functionality that’s not needed.”

CTS: A Valuable Software Selection Resource

A cautious and thorough approach to evaluating software products and vendors is the best recipe for a successful technology initiative. While it is the software buyer’s responsibility to perform the necessary due diligence to make an intelligent purchase, as the CTS Software Selection Survey demonstrates, expert guidance and quality research materials are valuable tools for lessening the chance of choosing a solution that doesn’t fit your organizations needs and expectations.

To stay competitive in the current market, a new software purchase may be in order. Utilizing CTS’ free published information and Smart Shortlist consult to narrow your company’s choices is an excellent step toward a positive outcome.

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Click here to access your your accounting, manufacturing, construction, CRM or medical Software Selection Kit, and get your free 10-minute Smart Shortlist consult with CTS President, Sheldon Needle.