Managing vendors: be reasonable, flexible and valuable

The data processing (DP) group is becoming more a resource manager than the large-scale software development house of the past. As a result, DP managers are becoming more dependent on a variety of vendors for their organization's DP needs. The wise DP manager applies several important rules in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Computerworld 1986-08, Vol.20 (34), p.17-17
Main Author: Reese, Bertram S
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
Guidelines
Management
Management information systems
Managers
Rules
Software development
Suppliers
Vendors
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:The data processing (DP) group is becoming more a resource manager than the large-scale software development house of the past. As a result, DP managers are becoming more dependent on a variety of vendors for their organization's DP needs. The wise DP manager applies several important rules in managing multiple vendors: 1. Avoid negative leverage techniques. 2. Be assured that a vendor interfacing to an existing system will make all necessary changes. 3. Offer to fund problem resolution. 4. Be willing to fund software development that may be unprofitable to the vendor. 5. Do not abuse the vendor's organization by constantly going over the representative's head whenever there is a problem. 6. Negotiate an event-driven contract. 7. Pay the vendor promptly. 8. Participate in users' groups. 9. Bring the vendor in from time to time to evaluate the company's use of the product. 10. Continue to look for alternatives to the current system.
ISSN:0010-4841