6 Essential Enterprise Software Evaluation Criteria

ecommerce sites
5 days ago
21 min read

Nothing sinks a budget and drains team morale faster than a bad software investment. The wrong choice leads to frustrated employees, clunky workarounds, and the staggering cost of having to replace it just a few years down the line. On the other hand, the right software acts as a powerful engine for growth, streamlining operations and giving your team the tools they need to excel. The difference between these two outcomes lies in a thoughtful, structured selection process. By focusing on the right enterprise software evaluation criteria, you can avoid common pitfalls and make a choice that delivers a genuine return on investment for years to come.

Key Takeaways

Prioritize Needs Over Features
: A successful software choice starts with a deep understanding of your specific business problems. Create a detailed list of your non-negotiable requirements before looking at demos to ensure your final decision is based on solving core challenges, not on flashy but unnecessary functions.
Calculate the Total Cost of Ownership
: Look beyond the initial price tag to understand the true financial commitment. A smart investment accounts for all expenses, including implementation, data migration, employee training, and long-term support, preventing budget surprises down the road.
Plan for People, Not Just Technology
: The success of new software depends on your team's willingness to use it. Involve end-users throughout the evaluation process and create a clear implementation plan that includes comprehensive training and change management to guarantee high adoption.

What is Enterprise Software, Really?

The term “enterprise software” gets thrown around a lot, but what does it actually mean for your business? It’s more than just a fancy label for expensive tech. At its core, enterprise software is the digital backbone that supports your entire organization's operations, from finance to customer relationships. Getting this choice right isn't just an IT decision; it's a strategic business move that can define your company's trajectory. Let's break down what this software is and why selecting the right solution is so critical for your success.

A Simple Definition

Put simply, enterprise software is built to serve the needs of a whole organization, not just one person. Think of tools like Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), or supply chain management systems. These aren't standalone apps; they are complex, scalable platforms designed to integrate with your other systems and support critical business functions across departments. The goal is to create a unified, efficient environment where data flows seamlessly, helping everyone work together more effectively. It’s the difference between a collection of individual tools and a cohesive technology ecosystem.

Why the Right Software is a Game-Changer

Choosing the right enterprise software is about so much more than ticking off a list of features. It's a strategic decision that can fundamentally change how your business operates. A well-chosen solution streamlines processes, reduces operational costs, and gives your teams the data they need for smarter, faster decision-making. The key is to look beyond the surface and analyze your core business requirements. When your software aligns with your strategic goals, it becomes a powerful engine for growth, helping you adapt and thrive in a competitive market. This is where a data-driven approach to vendor selection ensures your investment delivers real, measurable business impact.

Your 6-Point Software Evaluation Checklist

Choosing new enterprise software can feel overwhelming. With so many options, it’s easy to get sidetracked by flashy demos and impressive feature lists. To cut through the noise and find the right fit, you need a clear, systematic approach. This six-point checklist will help you stay focused on what truly matters, ensuring your final decision aligns perfectly with your business goals, your team's needs, and your bottom line. Think of this as your framework for making a smart, sustainable technology investment.

1. Does It Do What You Actually Need?

This seems obvious, but it’s the most critical question. It’s easy to be wowed by a slick presentation, but a successful software selection process always prioritizes your specific business requirements. Before you even look at a demo, you should have a clear list of must-have functionalities. What core problems are you trying to solve? What processes need to be improved? A solution might have a hundred features, but if it doesn’t excel at the five things you absolutely need it to do, it’s not the right choice. Focus on substance over style to ensure the software directly addresses your company’s pain points and operational goals.

2. Can It Grow With Your Business?

The software you choose today needs to support the company you’re building for tomorrow. Think about your long-term strategic plans. Are you planning to expand into new markets, launch new product lines, or potentially merge with another company? A scalable solution can adapt to these changes without requiring a complete overhaul. Ask vendors directly about their product roadmap and how they handle increased user loads, data volume, and new functionalities. Choosing a system with proven scalability ensures your technology investment continues to deliver value as your business evolves, preventing you from having to repeat this entire process in just a few years.

3. How Well Does It Play With Your Existing Tech?

New software rarely exists in a bubble. It needs to integrate seamlessly with the tools your team already relies on every day. A lack of integration can create frustrating data silos, require manual data entry, and disrupt established workflows. Before committing, map out your existing tech stack and verify that the new software can connect smoothly with your essential systems, whether it’s your CRM, accounting software, or proprietary applications. A solution with a robust API (Application Programming Interface) and pre-built integrations will make the transition smoother and ensure your entire technology ecosystem works in harmony.

4. Will Your Team Genuinely Use It?

The most powerful software in the world is worthless if your team finds it confusing or difficult to use. User adoption is the ultimate measure of a successful implementation. During the evaluation, pay close attention to the user interface (UI) and overall user experience (UX). Is it intuitive? Can your team members learn the basics without extensive training? Involve end-users in the demo and trial process to get their direct feedback. A system that is easy to learn and simple to use will not only see higher adoption rates but also reduce training costs and minimize the post-launch productivity dip.

5. Is It Secure and Compliant?

In an era of constant cyber threats and strict data privacy regulations, security is non-negotiable. You need to be confident that the software will protect your sensitive company and customer data. Investigate the vendor’s security protocols, data encryption standards, and history of security incidents. Furthermore, ensure the software complies with any industry-specific regulations you’re subject to, such as HIPAA for healthcare or GDPR for handling customer data in Europe. A failure in security or compliance can lead to devastating financial and reputational damage, making this a critical checkpoint in your evaluation.

6. Can You Count on the Vendor for Support?

Your relationship with a software vendor doesn’t end once the contract is signed; it’s just beginning. The quality of their customer support can make or break your experience. What kind of help and support does the vendor offer? Look into their onboarding process, training resources, and ongoing technical assistance. Check their service level agreements (SLAs) to understand their guaranteed response times. Reading reviews and asking for customer references can provide real-world insight into how responsive and helpful their support team truly is. A vendor who acts as a true partner will be there to help you resolve issues and get the most out of your investment.

How to Pinpoint Your Company's Exact Needs

Before you can find the right software, you need to know exactly what you’re looking for. It sounds simple, but this is where many companies stumble. A clear, detailed understanding of your needs is the foundation of a successful software investment. It prevents you from being swayed by flashy features you’ll never use and ensures the final choice solves your real-world problems. This process isn’t about guesswork; it’s about gathering concrete information from the ground up. By taking the time to define your requirements, you create a roadmap that will guide every decision you make.

Talk to People in Every Department

The best software insights don’t come from the C-suite alone. To get a complete picture, you need to connect with the people who will interact with the new technology every single day. This means assembling a team that includes leaders to set goals, IT experts to handle the technical details, and the end-users who know the current workflows inside and out. Don’t forget to include department heads who can speak to their team’s specific challenges and the finance team who will manage the budget. Getting this diverse group involved early ensures that every critical perspective is considered, preventing blind spots and building company-wide support from the start. This collaborative approach is central to our Technology Brokerage-as-a-Service (TBaaS)™ model.

Define What "Success" Looks Like

What does a "win" look like for this project? If you can’t answer that question with specifics, it’s time to pause. Before you even look at a demo, your team needs to agree on the expected benefits. Are you trying to reduce manual data entry by 30%? Shorten the sales cycle by two weeks? Improve customer ticket resolution times? Defining these key performance indicators (KPIs) turns a vague goal like "improve efficiency" into a measurable target. This clarity is crucial because it allows you to confirm that a potential software solution can handle your highest-priority tasks right out of the box, ensuring it delivers a real return on your investment.

Map Out Your Technical Must-Haves

Once you know your goals, it’s time to translate them into a concrete list of requirements. This is your technical blueprint. Work with your cross-departmental team to outline every function the software needs to perform. Then, the most important step: prioritize. Sort your list into three simple categories:

Must-haves:
These are the non-negotiable features. If the software can’t do these things, it’s out of the running.
Beneficial:
These are the "good-to-have" features that would add significant value but aren’t absolute deal-breakers.
Nice-to-haves:
These are the bonus features—the bells and whistles that are great but won’t make or break the decision.

This prioritized list becomes your evaluation scorecard, helping you objectively compare vendors and make a data-driven choice.

Common Roadblocks to Watch Out For

Even with a solid plan, the software evaluation process can have its share of tripwires. Knowing what to look for ahead of time can help you keep the project on track and avoid common pitfalls that can derail even the most well-intentioned efforts. Here are a few of the most frequent challenges we see and how to handle them.

Juggling Different Departmental Needs

Your sales team needs a robust CRM, your marketing team is focused on automation features, and finance is scrutinizing the reporting capabilities. Sound familiar? It’s rare for one piece of software to be the perfect solution for every single department right out of the box. The key is to find common ground. This isn't about finding a tool that does everything for everyone, but one that meets the most critical needs of each department without creating new problems. Facilitating open discussions early on helps everyone understand the necessary trade-offs and priorities to align on a shared set of goals.

Sticking to the Budget

It’s easy to focus on the initial price tag, but the true cost of software goes far beyond that number. To make a smart investment, you need to budget for the total cost of ownership (TCO), which includes implementation fees, data migration, employee training, and ongoing maintenance and support contracts. Setting a clear, comprehensive budget from the start helps you distinguish between non-negotiable features and "nice-to-haves." This ensures you’re making a financially sound decision for the long term, not just a purchase that fits this quarter’s spending plan.

Handling Resistance to Change

The most powerful software in the world is useless if your team won't use it. Resistance to change is natural, especially when people are comfortable with existing workflows. A successful rollout depends on a strong change management strategy. Be transparent about why the new software is being implemented and what benefits it will bring to their daily work. Make sure the vendor provides thorough training and accessible support to help your team feel confident and capable from day one. This isn't just about installing software; it's about guiding your people through a transition.

Balancing Powerful Features with Ease of Use

A long list of features looks impressive on a proposal, but it can often translate to a clunky, confusing user experience. The ultimate goal is adoption. If a tool is intuitive and easy to learn, your team will actually use it to its full potential. During demos and trials, pay close attention to the user interface. Better yet, let the people who will be using the software every day take it for a spin. Their feedback is invaluable for understanding whether a powerful tool is also a practical one for your business. A simple interface often wins over a complex one with a steep learning curve.

Calculating the True Cost of Software (It's More Than the Sticker Price)

When you’re evaluating enterprise software, the initial price tag is often the first thing you see, but it’s rarely the whole story. The true cost goes far beyond that number. To make a smart, sustainable investment, you need to look at the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), which includes every expense associated with the software over its entire lifecycle. Thinking about TCO helps you budget accurately and prevents sticker shock down the road when unexpected costs pop up.

Understanding these costs is a core part of our Technology Brokerage-as-a-Service (TBaaS)™ model. We help you see the complete financial picture, not just the upfront price. By breaking down the costs into different categories, you can compare options more effectively and choose a solution that delivers real value without draining your budget. Let’s look at the key cost areas you need to consider.

The Upfront Investment

This is the most straightforward cost, but it can still have hidden complexities. It’s not just about the license fee; it’s about how that fee is structured. Is it a one-time perpetual license or a recurring subscription? Is the pricing per user, and if so, how does it scale as your team grows? You don’t want to be penalized for success.

Before signing anything, make sure the pricing is crystal clear. Ask the vendor about discounts for larger teams or if they offer a corporate license that covers unlimited users. A clear understanding of the initial financial commitment is the first step in calculating the software’s true cost and ensuring it aligns with your budget from day one.

Getting Your Team Up to Speed

New software is only effective if your team knows how to use it. The costs associated with implementation and training are a critical part of the TCO. Does the vendor offer setup assistance and comprehensive training, or will you need to hire a third-party consultant? These initial support services are key to a successful rollout.

Don’t forget to account for the internal costs, too. Your team will need to dedicate time to training, which means time away from their regular tasks. This temporary dip in productivity is a real cost to the business. Investing in proper training from the start minimizes this downtime and speeds up the time it takes for the software to start delivering a return on your investment.

Long-Term Maintenance and Support

Once the software is up and running, the costs don’t stop. Ongoing maintenance and support fees are a significant part of the long-term financial picture. Most vendors charge an annual fee for access to customer support, bug fixes, and software updates. It’s important to understand what’s included in the standard support package versus what’s considered a premium, add-on service.

These recurring costs ensure your software remains secure, functional, and up-to-date with the latest features. When evaluating vendors, ask detailed questions about their support plans and update schedules. This helps you budget for the software’s entire lifecycle, not just the first year.

Spotting the Hidden Costs

Hidden costs are the budget-killers that can turn a great investment into a financial headache. These expenses often arise from your company’s unique needs. For example, the software might require significant customization to fit your specific workflows, or you may need to invest in new hardware to support it. Data migration from your old system to the new one can also be a complex and costly process.

Every organization’s structure is different, so a one-size-fits-all solution rarely works without some adjustments. The biggest hidden cost of all can be choosing the wrong software. The resulting loss in productivity and the expense of replacing it later can be staggering. Taking the time to make a precise technology investment upfront saves you from these costly missteps.

On-Premise, Cloud, or Hybrid: Which Model is Right for You?

Once you’ve vetted a piece of software, you need to decide where it will live. This isn't just a technical detail; the deployment model you choose impacts everything from your budget and security to your team's ability to access the tool. Think of it as choosing a home for your new technology. Each option—on-premise, cloud, or a hybrid approach—comes with its own set of responsibilities and benefits.

Your industry, security requirements, and long-term growth plans will all play a role in this decision. There’s no single "best" answer, only the one that aligns with your company's specific operational needs and strategic goals. Let's break down what each model entails so you can figure out the right fit for your business.

On-Premise: Keeping It In-House

The on-premise model is the most traditional approach. You purchase the software license and install it directly on your own servers and computers located within your physical office space. This gives you complete and total control over your data and the software environment. For industries with strict data sovereignty or compliance regulations, this level of control can be non-negotiable. However, this control comes at a price. It requires a significant upfront investment in hardware and infrastructure, plus the ongoing costs of maintenance, security, and the IT staff needed to manage it all. You're essentially the landlord, responsible for everything from security to upkeep.

Cloud-Based: Access from Anywhere

Cloud-based software, often called Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), is hosted on the vendor's servers and accessed through a web browser. Instead of a large upfront purchase, you typically pay a recurring subscription fee. This model dramatically lowers the initial cost and removes the burden of managing hardware or updates—the vendor handles all of that. The biggest advantages are flexibility and scalability; your team can access applications from anywhere, and you can easily adjust your subscription as your company grows. The trade-off is that you have less direct control over your data, which is a key consideration for businesses in highly regulated fields.

Hybrid: A Mix of Both Worlds

A hybrid model offers a middle ground, combining on-premise and cloud solutions. This approach allows you to keep your most sensitive data and critical applications on your own servers while using the cloud for other functions that benefit from its scalability and accessibility. For example, you might host your core financial database on-premise for maximum security but use a cloud-based CRM for your sales team. This flexible IT environment lets you tailor your infrastructure to your exact needs, leveraging the strengths of both models. It can be more complex to manage, but for many organizations, it provides the perfect balance of security, control, and flexibility.

Build Your Step-by-Step Evaluation Plan

Once you’ve defined your needs and understand the potential roadblocks, it’s time to create a structured plan for the evaluation itself. A clear process keeps everyone on the same page and ensures you’re making a decision based on data, not just a gut feeling. This is where you move from theory to action, systematically comparing your options to find the perfect fit. A solid plan prevents key details from slipping through the cracks and helps you confidently defend your final choice to leadership.

Think of this as your roadmap. It will guide you from a long list of potential vendors to the one solution that will truly support your business goals. By breaking it down into manageable steps, you make a complex decision feel much more straightforward. Let’s walk through how to build an evaluation plan that works.

Assemble Your "Dream Team" for Evaluation

Choosing enterprise software isn't a solo mission. To get it right, you need input from across the company. Assembling a cross-functional evaluation team ensures you cover all your bases, from high-level strategy to the day-to-day user experience. The goal is to get a 360-degree view of how the software will impact the entire organization.

Many different people from the company should help evaluate software. This includes executives to set goals and approve budgets, IT experts to check technical details, and the people who will actually use the software every day. Don’t forget department heads who can share their team's specific needs, or your finance team to handle costs. This collaborative approach prevents blind spots and builds buy-in from the start, making the final implementation much smoother.

Create a Simple Scoring System

With multiple stakeholders and a long list of requirements, it’s easy to get lost in the details. A simple scoring system helps you stay objective and compare vendors on an even playing field. This isn't about complex algorithms; it's about creating a clear, consistent way to measure how well each option meets your most important criteria.

Start by listing your key evaluation factors. These should include features and functionality, budget, technology and compatibility, and vendor support. Then, create a simple scale—say, 1 to 5—to rate how each potential software performs in these areas. This turns subjective opinions into concrete data, making it easier to see which solution truly comes out on top. This data-driven method is a core part of our Technology Brokerage-as-a-Service (TBaaS)™, ensuring every decision is backed by evidence.

Take It for a Test Drive with Demos and Trials

You wouldn't buy a car without a test drive, and the same logic applies to enterprise software. Demos and free trials are your chance to get behind the wheel and see how the software actually performs. This is the most effective way to verify a vendor's claims and see if the user experience lives up to the hype.

During demos, come prepared with a list of specific scenarios you want to see in action. For free trials, have a few team members test the software using real-world tasks. Good help when you start using the software and ongoing support are key for success. Ask if the vendor helps with setting up the system and offers training. Find out if they provide technical support 24/7. Getting answers to these questions now will save you major headaches later.

Set a Realistic Timeline

A thorough evaluation takes time, and rushing the process is a recipe for a bad decision. Setting a realistic timeline from the beginning manages expectations and ensures you have enough time for each critical step, from initial research to final contract negotiations.

Map out each phase of your evaluation: discovery, shortlisting vendors, demos, trials, reference checks, and decision-making. Assign a reasonable amount of time to each. When you’re looking at the implementation time, remember to balance how fast you want it with how good you need it to be. A well-paced evaluation allows for thoughtful consideration and reduces the pressure to make a snap judgment. This careful project planning is fundamental to a successful technology investment.

How to Get (and Keep) Everyone on Board

Choosing new enterprise software is a team sport. If you want a tool that people will actually use and love, you need to bring them into the decision-making process from the start. Getting buy-in isn't about checking a box; it's about making a smarter investment. When your team feels heard, they become champions for the new solution instead of roadblocks to its adoption. This is where the real work of change management begins.

The goal isn't to please everyone—that's impossible. Instead, it's about understanding the diverse needs across your organization and finding a solution that addresses the most critical business challenges. This process requires open communication, structured feedback, and a clear strategy for turning dozens of opinions into one unified decision. By actively engaging stakeholders, you not only select a better-fitting tool but also lay the groundwork for a smoother implementation and a higher return on your investment. A partner like MR2 Solutions can help guide these crucial conversations, ensuring every voice is heard and the final choice aligns with your overarching business goals.

Gather Feedback with Surveys

Surveys are your best friend for getting a quick, organized pulse on what different teams need and want. They allow you to efficiently collect input from a wide range of people without scheduling dozens of meetings. The key is to be strategic. Design your survey to gather feedback on specific themes like must-have features, current pain points, and satisfaction with existing tools. A mix of multiple-choice questions for quantitative data and open-ended questions for qualitative insights works best. Keep it concise and guarantee anonymity to encourage honest, unfiltered responses. This initial data gives you a solid foundation for the deeper conversations to come.

Run Workshops and Focus Groups

Once you have your survey data, it's time to dig deeper with interactive sessions. Workshops and focus groups are perfect for unpacking the "why" behind the survey responses. Getting key people from different departments in a room together sparks conversation and uncovers nuances you'd otherwise miss. These sessions are your chance to gather input and insights in a collaborative setting where stakeholders can build on each other's ideas. To make these meetings productive, set a clear agenda, assign a facilitator to keep the discussion on track, and focus on brainstorming solutions rather than just listing problems.

Find Common Ground and Build Consensus

With all the feedback in hand, the final step is to bring it all together. The art of this stage is to listen to every viewpoint and identify the overlapping priorities that serve the entire business. You're looking for the common ground where the needs of marketing, sales, IT, and finance intersect. This process is about facilitating a discussion that leads to a shared agreement on the path forward. To successfully build consensus, you need to document the key requirements everyone agrees on and be transparent about why certain features are prioritized over others. This ensures the final decision is one the whole team can stand behind.

From Decision to Deployment: What Makes an Implementation Successful?

You’ve done the hard work of evaluating options and have finally selected your new enterprise software. But making the decision is just the first step. The real test comes during implementation, and a thoughtful rollout can mean the difference between a tool that transforms your business and one that just collects dust. A successful deployment isn't about flipping a switch; it's a carefully managed process that bridges the gap between the technology you chose and the people who will use it every day.

Getting this phase right ensures you see the return on your investment and that the new software delivers on its promise. The key is to treat implementation with the same rigor you applied to the evaluation. This involves planning for the human side of change, ensuring your data makes the move smoothly, and committing to ongoing improvement. With the right strategy, you can turn a great software choice into a genuine business asset. Our Technology Brokerage-as-a-Service model is designed to guide you through this entire lifecycle, from initial decision to post-launch success.

Have a Plan for Managing Change

Introducing new software is about more than just new technology; it’s about changing how people work. Resistance to change is natural, so you need a solid plan to manage it. This starts with clear and consistent communication. Explain why the change is happening, what benefits it will bring to both the company and individual teams, and what the timeline looks like. Choosing software isn't just about checking boxes on a feature list; it's about guiding your organization through a transition. By involving key team members early and creating champions for the new system, you can build momentum and address concerns before they become roadblocks.

Focus on Training and Adoption

Even the most intuitive software requires training. To ensure your team genuinely uses the new tool, you need to invest in comprehensive training and support. Good initial help and ongoing resources are critical for success. Ask your vendor what kind of onboarding and training they provide. A one-size-fits-all webinar rarely works. Instead, aim for role-specific training that shows people how the software solves their specific problems. The goal is to make your team feel confident and capable from day one. High user adoption rates are a direct result of effective, accessible, and continuous training.

Figure Out Your Data Migration Strategy

Getting your existing data into the new system is one of the most critical—and often underestimated—parts of implementation. A flawed data migration can derail the entire project. Before you start, you need a clear strategy. This involves identifying what data needs to be moved, cleaning it up to remove duplicates and errors, and mapping it to the fields in the new software. You should also check how the new tool will integrate with your other systems, like your HR platform or company network for single sign-on. Planning this early prevents major headaches and ensures your team has the accurate information they need from the moment you go live.

Keep an Eye on Performance Post-Launch

Your work isn’t finished once the software is up and running. To get the most out of your investment, you need to monitor performance and gather feedback. Set clear metrics for success before you launch. Are you seeing the productivity gains you hoped for? Are people using the key features? Regularly check in with your team to understand what’s working and what isn’t. This continuous feedback loop allows you to make adjustments, provide additional training where needed, and work with your vendor to resolve any issues. Consistently testing the software's usability and performance helps you catch problems early and ensures it continues to meet your business needs as they evolve. If you need help optimizing your tech stack post-launch, our team is here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a software evaluation process typically take? There’s no magic number, but you should think in terms of months, not weeks. A rushed decision is almost always a bad one. A thorough process that includes defining your needs, involving multiple departments, running demos, and checking references simply takes time. Rushing often leads to overlooking critical requirements or hidden costs, which will cost you far more time and money in the long run.

What's the single biggest mistake you see companies make when choosing software? The most common pitfall is starting the search without a crystal-clear, prioritized list of the business problems you need to solve. It’s easy to get distracted by a vendor’s impressive demo and cool features, but if those features don’t address your core operational challenges, they’re just noise. A successful project always starts with internal alignment on your "must-haves" before you ever speak to a salesperson.

Our departments have conflicting "must-have" features. How do we decide what to prioritize? This is a classic challenge, and the best way to handle it is to tie every requested feature back to a measurable business outcome. Instead of debating features, reframe the conversation around goals. Ask each department how their "must-have" helps the company reduce costs, increase revenue, or improve customer satisfaction. This shifts the focus from personal preferences to strategic priorities, making it much easier to find common ground and make necessary trade-offs.

Is it better to choose a specialized "best-of-breed" tool or an all-in-one suite? This really depends on your company's specific situation. An all-in-one suite can offer simplicity and seamless integration between functions, which is great for teams that need a single source of truth. On the other hand, a specialized "best-of-breed" tool provides deep, powerful functionality for one specific area. The right choice often comes down to your most critical business need and how well a new tool would integrate with your existing technology.

How can we be sure our team will actually use the new software after we've invested so much in it? The best way to guarantee user adoption is to make your team part of the decision-making process from the very beginning. Don't just ask for their feedback at the end; invite them into demos, let them participate in trial periods, and give their opinions real weight. When people feel a sense of ownership over the choice, they become advocates for the new system instead of obstacles to its success.