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ARCHIVED CONTENT
You are viewing ARCHIVED CONTENT released online between 1 April 2010 and 24 August 2018 or content that has been selectively archived and is no longer active. Content in this archive is NOT UPDATED, and links may not function.By Rob Robinson
One of the most significant challenges for those seeking and sourcing eDiscovery software and software-enabled services is, where do I start? From a technology buying cycle perspective, the following steps highlight a general guideline that may serve as a framework for helping individuals and organizations address this buying process challenge.
Discovery Technology Buying Cycle Steps
- Determine the Discovery Problem or Goal
- Identify Discovery Technology Critical to the Solution
- Form a Shortlist of Provider Solutions
- Talk to End Users of Solutions on Shortlist
- Evaluate Potential Solution Options (Discussions, Demonstrations, Trials)
- Select Solution and Negotiate Pricing and Terms
Of the steps in this technology buying cycle framework, steps number three and four many times pose unique challenges given the number of offerings and providers in the eDiscovery ecosystem. There are many providers in the eDiscovery ecosystem that provide access to software and services. There is an even smaller subset of those providers that develop and deliver software and offer it to end-users directly (direct sales) or indirectly through integrators or aggregators (resell partners).
For those interested in a holistic, top-down approach to evaluating potential software and service solutions, there are many lists of providers that present an overview of available providers through the lens of listed names and links. These lists include but are not limited to:
- Gartner Market Guide for E-Discovery Solutions (Julian Tirsu, Garth Landers, Shane Harris)
- Top 100+ Provider List (ComplexDiscovery)
- eDisclosure Systems Buyers Guide (Andrew Haslam)
For those interested in a more targeted, bottoms-up approach to evaluating possible software or software-enabled service solutions, several online technology review sites are available for helping individuals to understand offerings through the lens of customer feedback. These sites include but are not limited to:
Details of these review sites and direct links to the eDiscovery sections of these sites are provided below for your consideration.
About Gartner Peer Insights
Gartner Peer Insights is the Gartner platform for ratings and reviews of enterprise technology solutions by end-user professionals for end-user professionals. The vision of Garner Peer Insights it to provide technology buyers with unbiased references when making technology decisions throughout the technology buying cycle.
About Capterra
Capterra is the world’s leading free software discovery and reviews platform, where organizations of all types and sizes start their search. Founded in 1999, Capterra was acquired in 2015 by Gartner, Inc. Capterra.com features the largest online collection of software user reviews and research across hundreds of categories. Every year, Capterra helps millions of buyers find the right software solutions for their business.
About G2 Crowd, Inc.
G2 Crowd, the world’s leading business solution review platform, leverages more than 260,000 user reviews to drive better purchasing decisions. Business professionals, buyers, investors, and analysts use the site to compare and select the best software and services based on peer reviews and synthesized social data. Every month, nearly one million people visit G2 Crowd’s site to gain unique insights. Co-founded by the founder and former executives of SaaS leaders like BigMachines (acquired by Oracle) and SteelBrick (acquired by Salesforce) and backed by more than $45 million in capital, G2 Crowd aims to bring authenticity and transparency to the business marketplace.
Go Ahead and Start
As organizations navigate the nuances of the complex eDiscovery technology landscape, they can feel comfortable that there are many reliable providers and solutions. In fact, given the competition of the marketplace and the capability of those providing software and services, it might be said that the selection challenge is less of making the right choice (as there are many right choices), and more of not making the wrong choice. With the resources highlighted in this article, hopefully, you will be better positioned to seek and source the right solution for your eDiscovery requirements.
Additional Reading
- Comparing eDiscovery Providers: Where to Start?
- Avoiding Glittering Generalities in Selecting eDiscovery Software