Top 10 questions to ask before buying an education software

Bersin by Deloitte has predicted that the spending will grow a massive 21% this year taking the budget to $2.5 Billion, and over the last two years, the LMS budget has grown 52%. So, education software or LMS or school/college ERP has become a strong market and choosing the right software is always a tricky prospect.

This is a known fact that there is no single solution that addresses all the problems, so we need to find the product which solves most of the problems at a bargain price. There are so many LMS worldwide and it creates a dilemma – which one to choose and what is right for my educational institute. Here are the 10 questions which have been identified before buying an educational software

1. What are the top features and functionalities of the software and what do you require?

The next important question will be able to analyze the software and check its features and functionalities available. What features do your organization need?, so that you don’t get stuck with features you don’t need and end up paying for it. Check the core features provided by the software and compare them with similar products. Don’t pay for what you don’t need.

2. Do you have mobile access to information across multiple platforms?

Ensure quick access to data and reports on a variety of mobile devices such as iPhone and Android and make decisions on the go. The mobile application has built-in capabilities to receive push notifications, get reminders and alerts and also track location and collect data in real-time.

3. Is it customizable?

You should never select a product if it can’t be altered according to our changing needs. The major question needed to be asked here is - Can it be customized according to each person and their needs? Or are we stuck with a product that can’t be changed or customized? Each organization are different and can the product theme or design be changed to suit the organization? Can the menus be sorted or placed according to our usability?

4. Is it scalable?

The question needed to ask is if the software is scalable and will adapt to the ever-expanding needs of the organization. The software should be compatible and able to handle a large number of users. The software should assist in your growth and able to handle large traffics.

5. Can you host the application on a cloud platform?  

Everything you do can be managed using cloud-based services. There is no extra cost for expensive hardware and IT hiring involved. No fear about data backup and security.

6. Is it secure?

It doesn’t matter if you have everything and it’s not secure. The organization needs to be completely sure that its data is secure before they purchase the software. The educational software needs to have built-in security features to protect valuable information.

7. Will it be quick and easy to implement?

The educational institute always prefers software that can be up and running in no time. The software should not slow things down or take long in implementing it. If it takes a long time to implement, it will cost more for the organization. The next big question is to ask if the software provider has similar experience in implementation or any proven track record.

8. Will it fit your budget?

Money and cost can be major factors in selecting software. If it is out of your budget or doesn’t provide enough features for the asking price or if the available plans are not flexible for your organization. Sometimes the price you pay may be high but the returns will also be higher. Therefore you need to consider the return on investment for the software.

9. Who are your audience?

The organization needs to figure out its audience and its needs. Sometimes the organization might need a different set of features, like payroll and asset management which doesn’t always come with the educational software. The question needed to be asked should be - Who all uses it? What are their needs? When you know your audience and their needs you get a better idea of what to choose.

10. Can I work with this educational software provider?

Understanding and communication is a major parts in any relationship. The organization needs to be sure that they are the right software partners to work with. Always make sure if the vendors have good after-sales support and are customer friendly. The vendor must understand all customers are different and tend to work with them and solve their needs.

There might be plenty of educational software available in the market, but many won’t fulfill all these requirements. Creatrix campus fits the bill and will solve the majority of the problems faced by educational institutions. We understand the needs and difficulties of the educational system and have developed a product that can be customized according to their needs and it even supports schools, colleges and universities, of any size or complexity. The flexible pricing packages make you to pay for what you use.