The Aston Group cites a Deloitte & Touche study that concludes that purchasers of accounting software focus on different priorities the second time they purchase an accounting system. In a nut shell, they tend to look for low price and easy software the first time around, but concentrate on finding a well-trained and reputable reseller the second time around. The summary results are shown below and you can order the Aston Group's complete promotional CD that contains this report and many other useful aides by clicking here: 

Purchasing Criteria The First Time Around

1 Price of software

2 Ease of implementation of new system

3 Ease of use

4 Software’s ability to fit the business

5 Functionality of software

6 Software works with existing hardware

7 Growth potential of the software

8 Level of support from local partner

9 Quality of documentation

10 Vendor’s track record of performance

Purchasing Criteria The Second Time Around  

8     1 Level of support from local partner

10   2 Vendor’s track record of performance

4     3 Software’s ability to fit the business

7     4 Growth potential of the software

1     5 Price of software

9     6 Quality of documentation

5     7 Functionality of software

3     8 Ease of use

2     9 Ease of implementation of new system

6     10 Software works with existing hardware

Source: The Aston Group / Deloitte & Touche