If you’re looking into sales tax software options, don’t forget to consider how you’re going to get that software up and running. Just because you signed a contract and have the installation files in your possession doesn’t mean you’re ready to use that software as part of your daily routine, especially if your new software is hard to implement. The total cost of your sales tax software might just be a whole lot higher than you planned when you find out that you can’t just plug it in and watch it do its sales tax magic. Keep in mind, not all sales tax software is created equal.
Some software is much easier to use and implement than others. When you’re selecting your sales tax software, take a look at our guide to things you should consider when you’re choosing a software program for your sales tax filing. Then think about whether or not you need to hire a consultant to implement your sales tax software, which can add to the total cost of ownership for your sales tax software. Some sales tax software packages require weeks for implementation, configuration, and training. Often, the software out of the box has lots of bells and whistles you don’t really need. You have to work around them or bring in IT to clean up your installation. In other cases, the software out of the box can’t be used at all. You have to have IT support even to upload and map your files.
With simple, flexible software like Sales Tax DataLINK’s products, you can do it yourself with our simple instructions and stay in control of the process. If you’re looking into other options, ask other people in your field about what software they use, how difficult it was to implement, and what process they had to use, whether it was through the software company or a consultant. Their satisfaction level with the process will give you some clear indicators of what interacting with the software company is like when you have problems that need resolution after implementation. Some software is complex enough that you really need IT support, in the form either of your IT department or an outside consultant, to make it work the way you want it to. If you believe that your needs are complex enough that you must have that software, you may decide it’s worth the investment.
What you don’t want is to buy the software and only then discover that you need outside help to get started with it. Before you make up your mind, let us give you a free evaluation of our sales tax software so you can see for yourself how simple — yet powerful — it is.
