Software Evaluation and Selection

Companies seeking EHS software have a choice of thousands of applications ranging from focused “point” to mid-market to enterprise-wide solutions that support global operations. Can you tell the difference between marketing hype and software capabilities? When selecting software, should you consider only the market leaders, or only those applications that everyone else uses? The answer may surprise you.

The paradox of choice says that the more options available, the more difficult it is to make a choice. While “software selection made simple” is unrealistic, companies should take an objective, balanced approach to make the process easier. Companies that do not have resources with the right skills to facilitate software evaluation and selection should hire a professional with these skills.

Commercial software has its benefits, among them, standardized solutions, use of the latest technologies, plus vendor-provided maintenance and support. Internally built software provides benefits such as custom features and functionality. Software development is not a core business in most companies, and is only part of the big picture. Internally built software requires an internal hardware infrastructure plus ongoing software enhancements, maintenance and support. 

Software development is risky and has hidden costs. Rather than building software internally, many companies elect to use commercial software. Then, they adapt it and integrate data from other systems to meet their needs—resulting in a hybrid solution.

Whether the client has one software package in mind or wishes to evaluate several packages; whether replacing legacy systems or starting fresh, our understanding of business, EHS and IT issues plus proven methods enables Lexicon Systems to deliver objective software evaluation and selection services. Our EHS software market knowledge and executive-level contacts enhance and ease the process.