Abstract
The range of issues that customers should be aware of when entering into Information technology (IT) contracts, both in respect to the procurement of IT systems and software and in the licensing of electronically delivered content, are reviewed. It is shown that, in the race to keep up with competitors, many organizations often make hasty procurements when purchasing IT systems and software or when licensing electronic content, When companies buy what they think is the ‘best’ product on the market, this product may not always be best suited to the requirements of the business or organization. An effective requirements analysis is described that includes: a list of essential needs; key business processes; information flows and usage; interaction between processes and functions; relevance to other systems or data sources (present and planned); and technical compatibility with existing systems. The elements involved in typical procurement contracts are listed and extensive information is provided on licenses, deliverables, changes of procedure, support, maintenance and updates, liability, disputes, and termination. The essence of contract management is noted briefly.
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