Article: Information Systems Vendors: Top 10 Warning Signs of Problem Vendors
3/1/2003 Susan M. Kornfield
Complex information systems, once predominantly therealm of the sophisticated, high-tech company, are now ubiquitous throughout for profit and nonprofit businesses,institutions, and governmental agencies. In light of the criticalrole information systems play in the automation and integrationof business operations and in enabling companies to complywith a myriad of laws and regulations, attorneys are well beyond the stage when they just need sample software licenseagreements and annotated checklists to represent their clientsin deals for the acquisition of these systems. The process ofvendor selection, including contract negotiation, system implementation, and ongoing technical support of such systems, is significantly more complex than mere software licensing. Experience has shown that there are warning signs of problem vendors that often appear early in this process. This article identifies some of those signs and suggests possible strategies for addressing the related issues.
