Vendor Selection Survey

Offshore Outsourcing Best Practices Association (www.OOBP.org) invites you to participate in a comprehensive survey dedicated to the issues of software outsourcing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The study is the first of its kind, and aims to help SMEs in selecting the right vendor. Results of the survey will be incorporated into the "Global Sourcing Methodology for Small and Medium Enterprises", currently developed by OOBP.org and The International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (www.outsourcingprofessional.org).

We'll send you a detailed report showing how your answers compare to average.

Background Data

Company website:
Company's core competence (what do you do really well?):
Your name:
Role in the company:
e-mail:
Phone number:
Company annual revenue (approximately):
Number of employees:
We buy offshore software outsourcing services We consult our clients on software outsourcing decisions Our strategy is not to use offshore software outsourcing

Outsourcing Questions

Is software outsourcing considered to be a strategic initiative or a part of the business plan? Yes No Not Discussed		Do you develop software for: Internal use Customers Both
Last 12 month software outsourcing budget:
Next 12 month software outsourcing budget:
Check All that Apply:

Type of Engagement: T&M, vendor management T&M, our own management Result-oriented BOT(Build,Operate,Transfer) BAT (Build and Transfer) Other:		Reasons to Outsource: Cost Focus on core expertise Time to market Access to skills Avoid capital investment Other:		What to Outsource: Product design Software development Testing Implementation/integration Product maintenance/support Other:

When compiling a list of vendor candidates to be considered, how likely are you to use the following channels?

	not likely				likely
Ask for vendor reference in our network
Internet search engine and directories
Specialized vendor directories
Posting or advertising at electronic marketplaces
Include those contacted me by direct mail or cold calling
Hiring consultants or vendor-recruiting services
Trade shows
Publications by industry experts and insiders
Other:

When compiling a list of vendor candidates to be considered, how important are the following attributes?

	not important				important
Media mentions on vendor's web site
High Google PageRank of vendor's web site
Quality certifications (CMM, ISO, etc.)
Vendor has local office near our location
Location of vendors' offshore center
Vendor has industry experience
Other:

Desired vendor size: (Number of employees)
What key words would you use to search for a vendor candidate in Google?

Choose what is more important to you:

Marketing materials are impressive and general		Marketing materials are formal and precise
Marketing materials suggest that service is high quality		Marketing materials suggest that service is low price

When reviewing your engagement options, what is more important?

Vendor's business stability and good reputation		Pricing
Industry expertise		Technical experitise
Vendor's responses are formal and precise		Vendor's responses are creative

Effort applied in vendor selection

How many vendors do you contact initially?
How many vendors receive requests for proposal from you?
How many vendors' offshore centers do you visit?
Do you use pilot projects?	Yes   No
Do you review your market options periodically even if you do not plan to quit your existing relations?	Yes   No
Do you use formal score cards for vendor evaluation?	Yes   No

What else do you consider important for vendor selection process?

Reasons not to offshore

Our software outsourcing volumes are too low

We do not have time to find a reliable vendor

We do not believe there are good vendors out there

Our company is not in a position to effectively manage a remotely located vendor

I am concerned about potential threat to our Intellectual Property

I have previously had a negative experience with an offshore vendor

I am concerned about increased operational risk resulting from offshoring

Vendor's learning curve may be too long

Other:

What improvements would you like to see on the marketplace?

		not important				important
	Global skills database specifically for software outsourcing
	Vendor rating system (by clients)
	More CMM, ISO Certified vendors
	Certification programs designed for small & medium enterprises (SME)
	Certified on-shore consultants
	On-shore talent with outsourcing management experience

What other changes would you like to see happening in the industry?

Follow up Questions

How did you find out about this survey:
Would you like to receive a complementary copy of the methodology entitled "Offshore software outsourcing for SMEs"?	Yes   No
This research is sponsored by DataArt, a leading provider of high-end software outsourcing services for SMEs. Would you like to:	Subscribe to a newsletter Be contacted

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