Identify the challenges you need to address with business support software

By enumerating and prioritizing the issues you wish to solve, you can find software that best meets your needs.

I recommend: Doing a thorough assessment can help you uncover the issues. You may wish to use an online questionnaire, such as the one available at Manifest Services.

For instance, if you're interested in turning your office into a virtual office, there is software specifically geared to this. Take a look at Jive Software to see what's available to make your virtual office appear as if all employees are under one roof. 

Once the issues are defined, look for a business support software system tailored to your industry

By selecting software tailored to your industry, it is more likely that it will perform according to your specifications.

I recommend: For example, if your business is an e-business, there is software geared to help you; take a look at Acumen Software. If you are an event planner, Acteva offers specific  applications to help manage your events more efficiently.

Before you buy, try a demo and use a business support software tool on a trial basis

Software purchases are important, and possibly expensive decisions. Some companies may enable you to try the software out first. If so, this is highly advisable.

I recommend: A website that offers full demos on all of their company's products is Card Integrators Corporation. You can also try out software, as well as view webinars on products, at Numara Software.