Software is a High Priority for Local Governments in the Next Year – With 1 Caveat

The Power of Positive Experience

One of the most powerful predictors of a local government’s positive disposition towards new software investment is a recent positive experience with acquiring new software.   (NOTE – for more data and insights about the recent impact of software on local governments, read our prior post from this research:  Software Impact on Local Government.)

Officials in local governments with a positive experience in the past 3 years were far more likely to place a high priority on new software investments than those with a bad or no experience, as noted in the chart below.

Action implications:

• Local governments that have provided positive testimonials for other software companies (perhaps on vendor websites or in online forums) should be considered attractive targets for new offerings.
• Companies with software for multiple departments may want to increase cross-selling efforts.
• Vendors focused on just one or a few departments may benefit from marketing partnerships with non-competing vendors serving other departments.

Comments from survey respondents illustrate the divide.

Positive experience

• “Technology has improved so much recently. We just upgraded and the information readily available by reports is a big improvement.”  (Head of Financial Administration)
• “The right software has made great difference in our workplace.” (Head of Public Works)

Negative experience

• “When a vendor does not provide proper support, it is difficult to utilize the software and recommend investing in software to anyone.” (Head pf Human Resources)
• “More times than not new software makes officers’ jobs more difficult because the software does not perform as advertised.“ (Head of Law Enforcement)