Last time, I covered the cost of technology. But what about the time it takes? It takes time to select, evaluate, test, train, implement and even use technology.

I slipped "use" in there. Surprised? Don't be. As we often remind people, it's the RECURRING stuff that really eats up the workweek. When you evaluate technology, the way it handles your recurring tasks is the most critical factor when you're evaluating your choices.

Let's take everyone's biggest recurring headache: inventory. (You now, the day your staff seems to call in sick most often.). If you're evaluating inventory software, and counts are your headache, evaluate thoroughly! It's not enough for a vendor to say, "Our software helps count and extend inventory." What you really need to discover is "will it count and extend MY inventory." Put another way, "can it handle the way I count?" Perhaps you use sub-locations, need to count broken cases, store items in multiple locations, etc. Can the program handle YOUR needs? If not, you'll spend many extra hours because the fit isn't right.

Another key factor is usability. Does the program "flow"? Is it intuitive? Is the interface consistent? These are difficult to measure, but generally it's a sense you get for the usability of a product. I borrowed a cell phone from a friend, and found it very difficult to use. I purchased a new one, and found it so intuitive that I hardly opened the manual. The ease of use directly affects the time you spend accomplishing a task. If you're scratching your head, poring through manuals, and making mistakes, then you're wasting time.

As I'm sure you already know, purchasing technology is not straightforward. In addition to the actual cost, it's critical to evaluate the cost in time. Put these two factors together, and you can make an accurate decision about the value technology can bring to you.

Now that we've covered the cost of technology, it's time to look at implementation. What's the best way to make sure your investment is used? Look for that answer in my next issue.

(c) 1999, At-Your-Service Software, Inc.