Oasis, established in 1991 and headquartered in Louisville, offers mid-market business consulting with a focus on accounting, HR, and CRM, supported by a team of experienced consultants. The document outlines guidance for choosing business management software, stressing the importance of vendor communication, stakeholder involvement, and ensuring the software aligns with company needs. Key considerations include evaluating vendors' implementation processes, seeking demonstrations, and prioritizing a strong partnership for successful software integration.

2. • Over 25 years experience implementing
business management software
• Currently oversees the day-to-day
operations of Oasis
• Enjoys meeting with new and existing
clients to discover ways to make their
businesses better

3. • Established in 1991
• Headquartered in Louisville
• Offices in:
• Lexington, KY
• Nashville, TN

4. • Oasis has 10 consultants with combined 100
years of experience
• 2 are CPA’s
• 2 MBA and 1 CITP
• We consult on:
• Accounting
• Human Resource
• Customer Relationship Management(CRM)
• Annual re-certifications
• Continual training on Project Management
• Consultants that assists with Change
Management for new clients

5. What We Do:
• Mid-Market Business Consulting on
• Accounting
• Human Resource
• Customer Relationship Management(CRM)
• Recommend the BEST solution
• Project Manage
• Assist with Change Management
• Train Users
• Help Desk is local (we speak Kentucky!!)
• Assist with additional needs after we “go live”

6. Oasis Professional Services:
• Process review and analysis
• Report Writing
• Custom Programming
• Training on products we sell
• FREE informational webinars
• FREE End User Group meetings annually
• FREE Virtual End User Group meeting quarterly
• Assist prospective customers to make the right
decision

7. Our discussion today will focus on How to Choose
Business Management Software.
• This will be beneficial if you are a CPA in private
business and are looking for new software
• This will be beneficial if you are a CPA in a firm
and giving advice to your client

8. GET ON YOUR FEET !
Have you been part of a bad software
implementation in the past 2 years
Have you been part of a GOOD software
implementation in the past 2 years
Are you or a client getting ready to embark on a new
software implementation

9. Very Small Business
• QuickBooks
• Sage 50 (Peachtree)
Small to Medium Business
• Sage 100 (MAS 90/200)
• Sage 500 (MAS 500)
• ACCPAC
• MS Dynamics
• NetSuite
Large Business
• Epicor
• SAP
• Navision

10. On Premise:
Software is purchased up front
Software is installed on inhouse server
Hosted:
Uses someone else’s hardware
Stored at off-site location
Co-Location:
Uses your hardware but is stored at an
off-site location
SAAS:
Provides access to an application that is
paid monthly

11. Cloud or No Cloud: Advantages
No Server Space Needed
No Software Specific IT Needed
Backups Done For You
Access Available Anywhere with Internet

12. Cloud Disadvantages
Cannot Function Without Internet Access
Renting Not Owning
Security: Hackers Commonly Reported
Ease of Product Migration

13. Visit with each
member of your
organization
who will be
impacted
Talk with your
CPA for a
recommendation

14. Document
each team
member’s
• Wants & Needs
• Likes & Dislikes

15. SOFTWARE ANALYSIS
VENDOR
1
VENDOR
2
VENDOR
3
REQUIREMENTS
GENERAL LEDGER
Chart of accounts has 30
characters
x
x
x
Consolidate multiple companies
x
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Uses MICR for check printing
x
Attach documents to invoice
x
x
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
SALES ORDER PROCESSING
PURCHASE ORDER PROCESSING
GENERAL FEATURES

16. Have initial
conversations
with at least
3 different
software
vendors
Provide each
vendor with a
list of
requirements

17. See our list of
questions you
should ask
each
prospective
vendor

18. 1. A copy of their scope of work.
2. A copy of their work plan.
3. What is the implementation process?
4. What constitutes a successful project?
• How is this determined?
• Give an example of recent work
5. What constitutes an unsuccessful project?
• How is this determined?
• Give an example of recent work
6. What is the process after you are “live”?
• What support is offered after you “go live”?
7. Ask for three references, preferably the vendors’ three most recent implementations.
8. Ask for a list of the vendor’s staff who will work on the project including the project
manager.
• Ask for implementation references for the project manager.
9. Ask the references if there were any issues during or after implementation. If so, how
were they handled

19. Work with
someone local
if possible
Request a
personalized
demonstration
• Demo should be
based on your
written
requirements
• Involve all
stakeholders
Reconvene
with your team
after the demo
• Discuss demo
• Determine
additional vendor
questions

20. Ask for
references
• Ask to talk to the
vendor’s last 3
implementations
Request a
quote for
• Products
• Services
• On-going costs
Never haggle
on price—trust
your vendor

21. If you have
additional
questions
• It is ok to request
additional demos
• Choosing the right
partner and
software is essential
Choose the
software that
best fits your
company
Most
importantly,
choose the
partner that
best fits your
company

22. • Too many spreadsheets
• Unacceptable performance
• Compliance concerns
• System reliability concerns
• Product obsolescence
• Support options become limited
• Employee morale

23. • Project kickoff meeting with PM on both sides
• Installation
• Configuration
• Data transfer
• Training
• More Training
• GO LIVE !
• Life is good

24. Involve everyone in the process
Record demos to ensure you are selecting the
correct solution
Pick the right partner
!
!
!