Note: This template accommodates 24 vendors. Insert rows to add additional vendors
Research the marketplace to target sending your RFP to the best vendors that meet your needs. Thorough research should target 10 to 12 top vendors at most. Space is limited to encourage brevity--focus on the most critical attributes desired.
Add vendor name and note any strategic partners the vendor uses in their solution, e.g., cloud, implementation, etc.
Is the vendor best-of-breed (solution focus on specific application area such as HR), ERP, VAR (value-added reseller), industry-focused, e.g., manufacturing or government?
Highlight unique vendor attributes, resource (people, time, CAPEX/OPEX) considerations, risks, or concerns.
Is the vendor a publicly or privately held entity? Note the number of customers, highlight customer names, years in business, culture, financial viability, pending litigation, and positive or negative news stories.
Highlight unique business attributes, resource (people, time, CAPEX/OPEX) considerations, risks, or concerns.
List the vendor solution's functional or business process focus that aligns with your needs. Note added value capabilities such as workflow management. Also, note integration capabilities with office suites, collaborative tools, communication, and networks. Highlight SMAC (social, mobile, analytic, and cloud) capabilities.
Note vendor depth and breadth in research and development investments, service and support, leadership and specialization, security, education, and training.
Highlight differentiating functionality and features.
How is the vendor's solution deployed--on-premise, cloud, software-as-a-service (SaaS), hybrid (on-premise and cloud.)
Highlight the source and dates of the information gathered, e.g., websites, conversations, company annual reports, marketing material, vendor customers, industry organizations, research reports, academic studies, etc.