Management Software - My take on what I see today.

[bantar]

While at the Ratchet and Wrench Management Conference, I was able to review most of the management software packages available.   I have a few observations to share that might be helpful.   Each software package has its own pluses and minuses, but, I see some high-level commonalities amongst them.

At a high level, you can separate software packages into two groups based on age.    The longer a software package has been available, the more likely that many of its features are highly refined and give you the most controls.   The disadvantage of an older software package is that they are too busy keeping their customer base happy with fixes and minor features that they don't have time to take the leap of innovation (e.g. DVI).   If the platform is really old and/or they are not charging enough money monthly to have the revenue to hire a good team, they may not be able to completely rewrite their software to utilize newer technology features.  For these software packages, you are forced to change vendors to adopt new the new features.   On the other hand, if the software package is new, they go straight for the snazzy features and also, try to fix the perceived problems of the legacy software packages.   They excel in the basics, but lack the depth of feature functionality that only time brings.     Mind you, both types of companies are trying to reach feature parity.  New companies need to flush out features, adding complexity and older companies are working to build the snazzy features.    Both of these take time.

For the record, I'm using Protractor.    I can tell you all of the good and bad of this package.   I used my in-depth knowledge of this program to compare it to the newer packages.   In other forums, the two main contenders for new appear to be:

• TekMetric
• ShopWare
• Other New:
  • Shop Monkey
  • AutoLeap
• Older More Mature Systems:
  • Protractor
  • Mitchell (I didn't look at this one)
  • NapaTracs (I didn't look at this one)
  • Many others not at this show

I liked the snazzy new features that I saw in each new package, but quickly recognized that in my daily use, I'm using certain mature features that are not present in the new packages.

Another observation is that each software package somewhat enforces a workflow methodology.  You can choose to fight their internal structures (and lose), or go with their model.   I noticed a few idiosyncrasies, but, they are all trending towards a seemingly similar workflow.   This requires scrutiny when selecting a software package.  The new guys are often pushing their "better way" as a solution to the problems of old.  For instance, ShopWare had a unique approach to canned jobs that deserves investigation that I didn't notice in other packages.  

So, when shopping, make note of the real features that you must have.  Don't be fooled by the shiny new outer skin.  Balance it with your real needs.

I do see that some of these new contenders are investing much money into development of new features, so over time, they will likely build the feature that you need today.   As well, some mature packages are investing in the future. 

I will say this loudly.   Your software vendor must be charging you healthy monthly fees to have the money necessary to continue to innovate.  If you gravitate to the lowest price, features could take longer or never come.   Just like us, we must first survive before we can do good work and be able to pay the bills.

[Joe Marconi]

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[xrac]

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[tomkatv10]

Unless there is a real need to change, don’t! It is seriously disruptive to change management software you and your team have been using for years. I have looked at others and they basically do the same thing just in prettier packages. The new programs were all developed under the free money system where venture capital was running rampant. Now, free money has tightened and you can see their innovations have slowed also. I tried one of them on a trial basis and the whole relearn was just not worth it. In fact, and I’ve seen this with others, it was lacking in some reports I use for my weekly KPI’s. I use old school Mitchell. Is it pretty? Heck no, but it gets the job done. And at the end of the day, isn’t that what counts?