Go ahead. Google search on financial, payroll, fleet management, weather or work order software. All of these software functions are blended ingredients for a budget conscious snow and ice removal program. What do you get? Hundreds of thousands of listings and choices, right? More options than you could possibly judge.

Does this mean that your software options are EQUAL? Is one package as good as the next?

Hardly. Some of these packages you can download for FREE, others you pay a nominal fee, and yet even more appear quite expensive.How can you compare their options? How do you know what you are getting into? How do you know what value they provide? You could TRY before you BUY? But simply TRYING software is an investment of your time too. You need to pre-qualify software choices.

You want to avoid getting married on the first date.

Since I have been in the software design field for nearly 25 years, let me share what works for me. I am constantly testing and reviewing software - for tools my clients require. Nobody needs to reinvent the wheel. So, if a tool already exists that delivers VALUE, then we have a winner! I've run across some real gems, and many more losers. How can you make the best of your software research efforts? Below, are tips you can use to level the playing field when PRE-QUALIFYING software choices.

1. ONE page web sites. You know the ones. One page of information, and an order form. If you can't get enough information from the web site to REALLY KNOW if the software is a good fit for you - then it probably isn't. Spotting these sites is easy. They have a glitzy home page, and a DOWNLOAD or BUY ME button. That's all the information that you'll get - and the rest is up to you to figure out. If you encounter one of these sites, go back to google and search some more.

2. Animated demos. I like software demos. Don't get me wrong. My idea of a software demo - is something that allows me to easily digest the value of the software - without constantly having to roll back the tape. 30 minute animated demos? What happens when you get interrupted. You have to start over.

Animated 2 minute demos? Avoid them at all costs. What exactly are you expecting to learn in 2 minutes? It's like reading the front page headlines of the newspapers - and expecting to have a debate about the 800 words that you never read on page 11. It can't be done.

3. Free for 30 days...and oh by the way, enter your credit card number please. This one tops my list of software sales pitches to avoid. If it was really free for 30 days, then why do I have to give you my credit card now? Let me just try it for 30 days, and if I like it -- I'll be back to buy. Of course, glitzy sales teams have figured that this is the best way to HOOK a new customer. Surely if the software has real VALUE, you won't need any HOOKS to convince you.

4. Shortage of screen or report examples. Hey come on now. When I am serious about evaluating whether a new TOOL is right for me -- I need some serious details. Be sure that the software you are considering, is not SHY about sharing screen and report samples for you to evaluate. And, I'm not talking about the animated demo either -- I'm talking about screen samples and reports that you can stare at for 2 minutes or an hour -- so that you can fully absorb HOW the software might be a good fit for you.

5. No known address. You've seen these sites - there is no contact information other than an email address. Who is it you are dealing with? Where are they located? Are they in the USA? East Coast? West Coast? somewhere in between? Or, is the company a "front" for an overseas conglomerate. If I don't see a full address, and name of a person to contact - I go back to google to search some more.

As you PRE-QUALIFY snow and ice removal software for your municipality - be sure to include LOCATION and VALUE factors.

Think LOCATION. Where do you intend to USE the software. Now that you have narrowed down your pre-qualified selection to a few software packages, it's time to decide WHERE you get the most value from your software.

1. Do you want access to your Snow and Ice Removal software program from HOME? the Office? out in a TRUCK? or even at StarBucks? Then you will need a web-based INTERNET solution

2. Will you only need to access your Snow and Ice Removal software program from any PC only in your OFFICE? Then you will need a web-based INTRANET solution.

$ Think VALUE. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Let's face it, everyone wants to get a good deal, a sale or the best bargain. Often the cheapest solution isn't the BEST FIT, and the more expensive solution may include more features than you need.

Before you start to consider the cost of adding software tools to your Snow and Ice Removal Program -you need to first put a dollar amount on VALUE.

What is it worth to you to save 25+ hours after each snow event, not having to calculate costs or fill out paperwork?

What is it worth to you to be able to gain access to your Snow and Ice Removal Program - without having to be stationed at your office?

What is it worth to you to have an organized plan - that is accessible by those who will need to follow it?

What is it worth to you to quickly dispatch employees, contractors and trucks to each route according to your plans?

What is it worth to answer the bottom line...IMMEDIATELY? Answer these questions during OR after each snow event. How much does each event cost you? How well were your snow budget dollars spent for the season? You have immediate answers.

What is it worth to monitor employee attendance and the operational costs of your trucks?

What is it worth to keep an eye on salt inventories -- and documents each truck that removes salt from your domes?

What is it worth to justify snow removal expenditures at Budget hearings?

What is it worth to monitor trends of event activities and costs over many seasons, helping you justify seasonal or emergency funding?

What is it worth to obtain FEMA funds with FEMA approved reimbursement reports?

What is it worth to justify your decisions when you can no longer remember "why"? you made them,
by providing a complete LOG or HISTORY of every school closing, government delay, lane restrictions,
weather report, accident, contractor issue and any other decision made during a snow event?

What is it worth to combat civil lawsuits - by having unlimited snow removal details available -- when all other records (even AVL) of snow removal efforts is long gone or difficult to retrieve?

What is it worth to see the "Big Picture" - with simple 1 page summaries?

What is it worth to stay Focused ON, and Accountable TO both the community and roadways you serve
by connecting citizen requests for road clearing --> directly to the route - truck and driver?

What is it worth to transform your snow and ice removal efforts into a budget conscious machine?