Factors influencing vendor selection

We will cover vendor selection criteria more extensively in Chapter 9, CRM Differentiators, but for the sake of our discussions in this chapter, the most critical influencing factors regarding vendor selection are:

• The overall capabilities of the platform in regards to the deployed option. For instance, the cloud has different capabilities than on-premise or hybrid.
• The overall cost of the system, including the money you spend to buy, maintain, and operate it, as well as the ongoing costs.
• Complexity and feasibility for customization, both initially and ongoing.
• Both portability and deployment limitations. For example, the freedom to move between cloud and on-premise or hybrid.
• The number of international data centers, including their location, compliance, and the regulations that they come with.
• Training and skills required for the users, admin, and developers.

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