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The Hidden Costs of Freeware
by Anne Sych
More Computer Articles
Published on this site: June 16th, 2009 - See
more articles from this month
You are tasked with looking for software and in your research you
stumble upon 'free' software. Can this be? It sounds too good
to be true! How can they do that? It is very tempting - most of
us at least take a peak. After all, why would we buy something we
can get for free?
Or perhaps you start out looking for a good solid solution that
will meet all of your needs, but your budget is tight and you
begin looking at trimmed down or free solutions that may be
available. You think that it may be good enough to get you by for
now, and you can just purchase something better at a later date
when things improve.
While this is tempting, one must consider the hidden costs of
'free' software. In the end, you could be spending more for a
'free' version, than a reputable, well built affordable
solution.
Here are a few considerations when considering free software:
- Many 'free' software solutions are not actually free.
Essential components needed to use the software are additional -
sometimes the components are minutely priced, but when you plug
in your volume needs the prices really add up.
- Does it really fit your needs? - With 'freeware' there is no
product specialist to guide you with your selection, so you are
forced to figure out on your own if it will meet your needs.
Often once implemented you may learn that it does not meet needs
after all or that certain parts do not work the way you need them
to. Time lost in business is money lost.
- You are on your own - typically freeware does not include any
implementation assistance, training or support. At best you may
get a 'guide', but no one to answer questions or help you with
your system environment.
- No training is provided - how will your employees learn how to
use the new software? There are no best practices to follow, and
you are left to learn on your own. In addition to time lost,
often mistakes are made along the way that are hard to correct
because you have done so much already "the wrong way". Again,
time lost.
- Is it cross user friendly? - Some companies may have an
employee smart enough to 'rig' a freeware to meet their needs.
Once this employee leaves or moves on new folks can't figure out
how to make it work the same way.
- Will it grow with you? - What will you do when you outgrow
your application or your needs change. Will you force your
business tasks around the app, or be forced to start over? Many
hours, weeks, months are spent implementing a "free" system,
processes are built around it, training is conducted - much man
hours and internal costs. Starting over can be very costly. All
of the time spent and resources used are now wasted as you look
for a solution to replace this "free one".
So be on guard not to get caught up in the "free" hype, which
in the end can cost much more. Take the time to do the due
diligence now and select what you need for both now and for the
future. Choose a provider that has a quality reputation, offers
assistance, provides support, and a solutions that is scalable
and can grow to meet your needs long term.
Anne Sych, Marketing Manager for Novo Solutions, Inc.
Novo Solutions, Inc., is an Independent Software Vendor (ISV)
in Virginia Beach, Virginia, specializing in Customer Support
Software,
free trial versions of the Novo Help Desk Software, Knowledge
Base Software and suite of web based Customer Support Solutions.
Contact: [email protected] for more information.
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