Learn More About Cloud Platform as a Service (PaaS) Software
How to Buy Cloud Platform as a Service (PaaS) Software
Requirements Gathering (RFI/RFP) for Cloud Platform as a Service (PaaS) Software
Companies looking for PaaS software, whether for the first time or to replace existing tools, can move forward with confidence using g2.com reviews as a guide.
When searching for PaaS software, buyers must consider their “must-haves” when it comes to things like pricing structure, feature set, and integrations. For example, a company may be looking for a straightforward cloud-hosted development environment rather than paying for a robust, multifaceted platform to handle everything from deployment to performance monitoring. Buyers should zero-in on the features they need to begin developing on a hosted platform, then reference G2 reviews to find the right fit and ensure proper integration with their other tools.
Narrowing down the pool of PaaS solutions by clearly defining a company’s needs allows decision making teams to then perform more direct comparisons to find the best tool for their needs. G2 reviews can make this process even easier by providing authentic insights from similar buyers.
Compare Cloud Platform as a Service (PaaS) Software Products
Create a long list
At first, buyers should keep their options open to consider the full range of PaaS tools available to them. Using their predefined must-have features, buyers can explore the many offerings on the market to get a feel for what might be viable.
Create a short list
Along with a company’s must-have features and pricing matrix, G2 reviews can help to narrow in on a short three to five product list. At that point, buyers can begin to make more granular comparisons and reference specific pros and cons to make an informed decision.
Conduct demos
All of the products that wind up on a company’s short list should be demoed. During demos, buyers should seek out specific information related to their must-haves; for example, one might ask to be walked through the ease of integration between the PaaS product and a security solution.
Selection of Cloud Platform as a Service (PaaS) Software
Choose a selection team
Companies of all sizes should involve any relevant personas when conducting the PaaS software selection process. Large companies might have the resources to assign individual team members to fill roles such as decision maker, project manager, system owner, and developers. Smaller companies with fewer employees might overlap roles make the best assessment.
Negotiation
Many companies offer PaaS solutions that go beyond certain companies’ needs to include application performance monitoring, monetization tools, and more. While some companies will not budge on the configurations of their packages, buyers looking to trim costs should try to negotiate down to the specific functions that matter to them in order to get the best price. For example, a vendor’s pricing page might indicate that the buyer’s desired functionality is only included with a robust all-in-one package, whereas a sales conversation may prove otherwise.
Final decision
After this stage, it is important to perform a trial run if possible with a small selection of developers. This will help to ensure that the PaaS software of choice integrates well with a developers’ day-to-day work. If the PaaS tool is well liked and well utilized, the buyer can take that as a sign that their selection is the right one. If not, reevaluation of the options may be necessary.
