For a product, not all functions need to be developed by the production and research team. On the premise of ensuring the main process and business, some tool functions can use the professional power of a third party. While enjoying more professional services, you can devote more time and energy to the main business to improve product performance and experience.
Such tools mainly include customer service systems, marketing tools, etc. There are also many professional Saas providers on the market, which can quickly provide various professional services, and the product side can purchase it on demand.
This article takes the procurement of a customer service system as an example, and details and records the experience of the product manager (the person in charge of the product) in the entire procurement process, which involves 11 links, more than ten times of negotiation between Party A and Party B, and 4 application approval processes. , showing readers a complete process of professional software procurement within the group company.
Here is the flowchart:
1. Research
Based on business needs, after making a purchasing decision, it is first necessary to research, understand and analyze the products on the market.
The main research methods are:
Official website information view
product description
Product Feature Documentation
Product technical documentation
Customer service consultation
Comparative study of multiple suppliers
During the research process, the information collected and learned needs to be aggregated into a form, synchronized to the product director for understanding, and backed up for verification in the subsequent procurement process.
Survey information collection form (take the customer service system as an example):
2. Inquiry
After the investigation, determine 2 to 3 suppliers that can meet the demand, and conduct inquiries and price comparisons. Generally, the price announced on the official website is only a reference price. After one-to-one communication with the sales staff, there is often room for a certain degree of price reduction.
In the process of inquiring, it is necessary to start from the needs of the business itself, and do not blindly purchase functions and services that are not suitable for this stage. For example, if human customer service can meet the demand, there is no need to introduce robots at a high price.
The final price determined by the inquiry needs to be written into the contract by the salesperson.
3. Access test
After confirming the supplier and country email list price, be sure to access the trial version for testing before purchasing the access.
The main function points of the test:
Whether the product function matches the business model;
Whether the access method is convenient, and whether the technical documentation is professional, detailed and practical;
Is the product performance excellent?
Whether the product has bugs;
What is the compatibility and adaptability of the product?
How is the quality of after-sales service?
Is the technical service timely and efficient?
If you encounter problems such as compatibility bugs, can you solve them quickly?
other possible problems.