Exhibition Management Software - Essay Example

Identify the purpose of the report. (What need or problem will the product, service, or program resolve?)

The purpose of the report is to persuade decision-makers to purchase exhibition management software and enable their organization to generate greater profits through cost minimization and optimization of resources.

4. Identify potential resources that will be needed for support.

The potential resources that will be needed to support one’s report and persuade decision-makers to select the most effective course of action are as follows: (1) identification of specific advantages or benefits of using the software; (2) able to present a cost-benefit analysis which would itemize the net gain, in the long run, for purchase and installation of the software program; (3) to provide costs of purchase, installation; as well as maintenance and support of the exhibition management software from Ungerboeck and be able to compare it with other providers, which could be viewed from the Association Forum Buyer’s Guide (Webvent, Inc., 2013).

5. Identify methods to be used to gather information.

To gather all relevant information, the following methods are proposed to be used: (1) research online for costs, features of the software being offered, benefits, added support systems, and other crucial details; (2) research for organizations who have opted to purchase exhibition management software and collect feedback; (3) gather information from the organization in terms of current costs being incurred while planning for traditional events and compare the efforts and costs with the planned benefits and costs if the exhibition management software would be purchased and installed; (4) solicit information from customers and other stakeholders regarding the advantages and disadvantages of having the system installed; and (5) use secondary sources of information to determine feedback, as well as informative details which would assist decision-makers in the selecting the most effective course of action.

Thus, both primary and secondary research methods could be undertaken to gather crucial information and be presented in the report. When time, resources, and funds would allow, primary methods of research through questionnaires, surveys and interviews could be undertaken to determine the credibility and reliability of information gathered from secondary sources of information. The list of customers of each provider could be a very good source of information to determine the efficiency of the current exhibition management software that they availed. They would also be the most credible and reliable source to determine any problems that ensued with the software and also with the provider if any.

6. Identify criteria to be used to evaluate the information collected. (What factors will you consider to make your recommendation?)
The criteria to be used to evaluate the information collected would be as follows:

Cost: how much would the exhibition management software cost, including maintenance and annual fees, if any? These should be made available, not only for Ungerboeck but also with at least three other providers: one offering a higher price than Ungerboeck; one which the least cost offered; and one with a significantly similar cost.
Benefits through features offered. The features, specifications, and components of the software, as well as conditions and terms stipulated by the provider, should be accurately put in detail and compared, as required.

Cost-benefit analysis: This would show the effect of the purchase and installation of the software program on the organization of the event. The projected financial statements and highlights should detail the impact of the purchase, as well as the effect on the organization’s net incoming at least the next three to five years.
Feedback from various stakeholders: customers, employees, management, stockholders, and investors' comments on the current system before the proposed purchase of the exhibition management system and after purchase (gathered from stakeholders of organizations who already availed of the software). Read More