Ninth, if your services are going to include text messaging, customized software for pagers or phones (Flex OS, Palm, Pocket PCS, J2ME, WAP, etc.), get references from other people who have used similar software on the same devices from the same software development firm. Also, make sure that you ask the software development firm if you will have the same developer(s) of their demonstrated examples working on your solution. This may not be that important of a question, but it should make a difference in pricing if you are expected (unknowingly) to pay for a new developer’s learning curve.
Tenth, negotiate additional terms for your agreement; just because a potential vendor states their pricing does not mean you can not negotiate a better deal by asking for it. And create some urgency in dealing with your account. These would include customer service, the replacement of lost and stolen devices, a process in which you can make it easy to add or remove services, price protections as service plans continue to drop and modifications to cancellation policies to protect you from long term costs associated with canceling services early. For example, you can pay a little more a month with Sprint PCS but there is no contract to sign. Get price breaks in writing up front for the addition of devices or services as more and more workers come on line. (100 pagers, 500 pagers, 2500 pagers, etc.).
Eleventh, if you need help, get professional advice. As you do move forward with new and emerging technologies, consider retaining an independent consultant who is truly working in your organization’s best interests. The consultant’s contribution may be as little as helping to identify communication challenges, or may encompass the entire process of helping assess and select a wireless vendor.
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