How to Choose Software

We understand that choosing the right software can be a daunting task (we buy lots of it, and it doesn't get any easier!). As a result we thought it would be useful to list the factors that we use when purchasing software - (these apply to almost any software, not just conservatory software).

Frequently, the biggest cost of adopting software is not the license cost, but the hours of your time which you invest in learning it and will never get back.

Also, pick a supplier you feel you can work with, as hopefully you'll be dealing with each other for many years!

Guidelines for Choosing Any Software

Does the software come with a full money-back guarantee?

One of the simplest things that all software companies can do is offer a 30 day money back guarantee. If you've genuinely made a mistake and find you've bought a product which isn't suitable for you, then offering your money back (in return for you deactivating the software) is only fair. 

Does the supplier have a dedicated support team?

Professional software companies realise that winning you as a customer is the most important thing that they do. If they don't look after you, you won't stay with them, buy their other products, recommend you and so on. Note that providing support of this quality is expensive, and like anything in life, you get what you pay for.

Is there an upgrade path?

There is nothing more annoying that discovering that you've outgrown the software your using, and you have no choice but to purchase improved software from a different supplier. Again the cost is annoying, but your time to learn how to use it is FAR more valuable.

Is the price a one-off payment, or are there other hidden charges?

One "trick" which is used by some companies is that they charge you for a "license" to use the software, and then an annual "renewal" fee. If you don't pay the renewal fee then the software will become deactivated, and you may be charged an additional "administration" fee to reactivate it. Make sure that this is clear in writing BEFORE you buy.

What is the cost of upgrading?

Be really clear about this. Does the upgrade price represent everything you need? You may find that having upgraded software will do little for you unless you also purchase training or data setup services. Making this investment could reap massive rewards, so consider the total value, not just the cost

What are the costs of telephone support?

There are three common ways of charging for support and it's good to check this before you buy

  1. An annual all-inclusive fee. Once paid, you can use the service as often as you wish
  2. A cost per incident. This usually penalises the novice user with a simple query, but can be useful for "expert" users with occasional complex queries.
  3. A premium rate telephone number. The cost of this is difficult to estimate in advance, and it depends on the quality of the supplier's support staff. 

What are the costs of software updates?

Does the supplier issue post you updates for free, as part of an annual support contract, or are they chargeable extras? Can you download updates from the internet. Again, make sure you know before you buy.

Does the supplier have an in-house training facility?

As with any technology, training is vital to get the best from it. I'm sure you'll agree that training is best done in a quiet environment away from the everyday hassle of work and a training facility is one of the best ways of achieving this. If you can't visit the supplier, will they visit you and arrange training in a local facility such as a conference room or a hotel?.

Does the software come with a comprehensive help file?

 The value of this really depends on the way you operate, but it does have the benefit that you can often solve a problem out of hours, rather than waiting for the help desk to open.

Does the supplier have a commitment to continual product improvement?

With almost every software product, there will be a list of suggestions for improvements, enhancements etc. It's often really revealing to look at the "What's new" section of a supplier's web site to see what development has happened in the last 12 months. If the web site hasn't been updated for a couple of years, that speaks volumes about their commitment to continual improvement.

Does the software talk to other applications?

An excellent benchmark for the maturity of a software company is their attitude to working with others. Most serious companies recognise that they can't be the best at everything, so they focus on excellence in their own area, and they develop "adaptors" to talk to other applications. A good example of this is CAD software - almost all CAD software recognises the DXF format as a means of interchanging documents

If the supplier doesn't provide communication with other applications, your quotes and orders will be useless without their software. Although this may not seem important now, it may mean that your are locked in to your supplier in future. 

Guidelines for Choosing Conservatory Software

There are a number of other factors which we believe are important to you when choosing conservatory software

Does the software produce stunning presentations?

If you're using the software to sell, you need the best presentation you can get. It's the main thing your customer will remember you for when you walk out of their door, and if it's better than the competition's it will get remembered (and probably kept in pride of place to remind them of their "project")


Can the software be customised with your details

At its simplest, this involves simply adding your logo and address details

In a more advanced form, can you specify customised printouts which allow you to stand out from the competition?

Does the software produce basework statistics and accurate basework diagrams?

The whole point of using software is to make your life easier. If you have to manually calculate statistics such as the number of bricks you need to build a base, you're not getting the benefits you could. If you've ever tried to calculate the volume of a Victorian conservatory, you'll understand what we mean!   

Does the software show what the customer will actually get?

The closer the drawing is to what you actually deliver, the lower the likelihood of misunderstanding and consequent problems. For example, if the roof needs a tie bar, it should be shown in your presentation. When the customer asks why, tell them - you're the expert. Likewise, show them YOUR colours, finials, crestings et.   

Does the software provide comprehensive roof, frame and basework pricing?

You may not think you need this yet. However, it has been shown that when a computer produces a "penny-perfect" price, the customer is far less likely to argue with it. Also, salesmen make pricing mistakes (the process is so complex, it's almost inevitable). And those mistakes can cost you thousands

Does the software provide an ancillary checklist to make sure you don't under-price, and to up-sell?

Using a sales checklist is a technique that has been used in the United States for many years now. The reasons are as follows:-

  1. Make sure you don't miss anything
  2. Bring other products to the customer's attention (e.g. air conditioning, fans, electric roof vents etc)
  3. Improve the professionalism of the presentation
  4. Dramatically reduce sales training times

Does the software integrate with other applications?

Nowadays, many PC are will be familiar with Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Autocad etc. Can the package export data to these applications.

For manufacturers, the ability to export to other manufacturing software will save them needing to re-enter specifications

For architects, the ability to receive drawings in DXF format will save them hours (and their time is your money!).

Does the software support structural checks?

The safety of your product is paramount. By performing structural checks BEFORE producing a quotation, you demonstrate to the customer that you care about their safety (which is a fairly compelling point in its own right)

The additional of tie-bars or a portal frame may have a significant effect on the price quoted. If this is not understood before hand you must either swallow the cost or return to the customer with a new price or proposal. Clearly neither of these are ideal


As I hope we've shown, buying software is a complex and risky business - and the cost of the software will be far lower than the time you invest in learning it and the sales you make or lose by using it.

If you have any questions about this, please call us on (0161) 426 1120