System reliability - good software should:

Be totally reliable

Consistently and predictably perform the required software functions

Provide internal system controls to ensure accuracy, integrity and completeness eg data input and accuracy checks, validation, authorisation

Maintain full records eg to:

• trace any transaction item
• provide a full audit trail
• provide a full record of all balances and transactions

Support manual control procedures eg control reports

Provide system security via multiple, configurable passwords / levels of security and internet security

Provide backup and restore facilities for programs and data

Support your organisation, by running over your (chosen) network, database and hardware platform(s)

Run on a well-supported network, database and hardware

Operational efficiency - good software should:

Automate routine software / system tasks

Provide configurable automation of system and business workflow processes

Require data to be entered only once, with no re-keying

Have configurable parameter / table facilities

Provide easily configurable data import programs

Operate quickly and efficiently, with acceptable system performance

Enable real time and / or batch processing

Support the number of concurrent system users you require, at peak processing / enquiry times, with no degradation of system performance

Support your chosen operational set up eg whether using ASP, running a Shared Service Centre, single or multiple sites

Have a 'vendor warranty' as to the software specification and performance

Run on industry standard hardware

Run with hardware independent operating system

Ease of use - good software should be:

Easy to learn, with:

• standard system commands
• colour coding
• on-screen help facilities
• clearly written user / system documentation

Easy to use, with:

• full access to all system functions, subject to individual user security profile(s)
• straight forward system navigation
• short cut keys, pull down menus, scroll backwards and forwards
• tailorable menus, screens, reports
• multi tasking ie multiple applications / windows open at a time
• on-screen prompts and messages that are clear and helpful eg requesting input, identifying input validation errors or processing errors

For additional ‘key software criteria’ visit: Vendor criteria or

For other software criteria, click: Accounting software criteria / CRM software criteria / HR software criteria / Payroll software criteria