Question

I’m tasked with evaluating an “enterprise” platform for the next-gen version of a product. We’re currently considering two “types” of platforms – RAD (workflow engine, integrated UI, small cores of “technology plugins” to the workflows, automatic persisting of state…) like SalesForce.com / Service-Now.com and “cloud based” (EC2 / AppEngine…).

While I have a few ideas on where to start, I’d like your opinions – how would you evaluate platforms for an enterprise suite of products? What factors would you consider? How would you eliminate weak options quickly enough to be able to concentrate on the few strong ones?

Also interesting is how would you compare enterprise RAD (proven technology, quick to develop – but tends to look “the same as the competition”) to cloud-based technology (lots of “buzz”, not that many competitors – easy to justify to management, but probably lacking (?) enterprise tools and experience).

As said before – I have a few ideas, but would like to see some answers before I post mine so I wouldn’t drive the discussion to a specific place.

RB.

Answer 1

Creating a software evaluation scorecard will go a long way to do a technology assessment for your enterprise solutions.

Optionally you can add a weigh to your criteria and
have multiple people evaluate and fill this up so you can take an average and have an unbiased analysis.

–Adding more info to help with evaluation criteria—

There are a variety of research and information sources on which you can base your evaluation criteria. These resources can provide the most recent
information to use in performing technology assessment for your enterprise platforms.

• Industry-focused groups.
• Technology publications/industry publications
• InformationWeek and CIO magazine.
• Technology vendors.
• Peer companies.

• Technology industry-focused web sites:
  – CIO Magazine: http://www.cio.com
  – CMP Media: http://www.techweb.com
  – Computer Business Review: http://www.cbronline.com
  – E-Week: http://www.eweek.com
  – Tech Republic: http://www.techrepublic.com
  – Darwin magazine: http://www.darwinmag.com
  – Analyst Views: http://www.analystviews.com
  – Venture Beat: http://www.venturebeat.com

• End-user web logs:

    - Slashdot.org
    - Techdirt.com  
    - techrepublic.com
    - hardocp.com
    - anandtech.com
    - zdnet.com        
  

• Technology research firms:

    - Aberdeen Group.
    - AMR Research.
    - Forrester Research.
    - Gartner Group.
    - Giga Information Group.
    - International Data Corp (IDC).
    - META Group.