When selecting a meta data repository product (or any type of product), you should never start with the question, "What is the best product of this type on the market?" Instead, always start with the following questions:
Compare each vendor's logical meta model (if one exists) or their physical meta model (product design) with your logical meta model, and determine whether the vendor's model covers all the meta data requirements reflected in your "requirements meta model." At a minimum, the vendor's model must support all your mandatory meta data requirements. If it does, find out if the vendor's meta model and software can be expanded so that you can add your own features to support your important meta data requirements. Expansion capabilities of meta data repository products should include the following:
Product EvaluationUse standard evaluation techniques to select a meta data repository product. For example, prepare a list of product evaluation criteria for your meta data requirements and assign a weighting factor from 1 to 10 to each criterion (1 being least important and 10 being most important), like the sample criteria list shown in Table 10.7.
Rate each product on all product evaluation criteria by assigning a rating on a scale of 0 to 10 (0 means the product does not have that feature, 10 means that the product feature is outstanding), as illustrated in the example in Table 10.8. Multiply the product ratings by the criteria weighting factors to obtain final scores for each product. Add up all the scores and list the products in the order of highest total score down to lowest total score, as shown in Table 10.9. Table 10.7. Example of Product Evaluation Criteria with Weights
Table 10.8. Example of Product Ratings
Table 10.9. Example of Weighted Product Ratings
Vendor EvaluationMost organizations do not spend enough time, if any, evaluating the vendors in addition to evaluating the products. It is important to understand each vendor's company stability, its commitment to the product, and its level of support. Create a list of vendor evaluation criteria and assign a weighting factor to each criterion on a scale from 1 to 10 (1 being least important and 10 being most important), similar to the sample criteria shown in Table 10.10. Other criteria to consider are reputation for support, vendor integrity, and prior experience with the vendor. Table 10.10. Example of Vendor Evaluation Criteria with Weights
Rate each vendor on all vendor evaluation criteria by assigning a rating on a scale of 0 to 10 (0 means the vendor cannot meet that criterion, 10 means the vendor excels in that criterion), as illustrated in Table 10.11. Multiply the vendor ratings by the criteria weighting factors to get final scores for each vendor. Add up all the scores and list the vendors in the order of highest total score down to lowest total score, as shown in Table 10.12. Finally, compare the lists for product and vendor ratings and select the top two products. Check the vendors' references, schedule product demos, and arrange for a 30-day trial installation before making your final product selection. Table 10.11. Example of Vendor Ratings
Table 10.12. Example of Weighted Vendor Ratings
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