Selecting the right Class Management software is a strategic decision for any coaching class that will have a huge impact on its future performance. However, what are the key elements to look at when selecting new Software?

1. Meet present and future requirements: At home, we spend most of the time sitting or lying down but when we build a house, we don't put the ceiling at 4 feet height!!! Any system we built should have enough headroom for growth. It should be able to meet your current as well as future requirements. If you hire more staff, open more branches or appoint franchisees, the software should have adequate controls for managing them with role based security.

2. Flexibility and scalability: ERP implementations are usually phased and it is recommended to focus on must have requirements in the initial phase, leaving more advanced or complex needs for later phases. Your software should have modular structure, where you can implement the core modules in the initial phase and add-on more modules and features as-and-when required.

3. Ease of use:  Usability is a very important criterion that needs to be taken into account. In the end, the easier the system is to use, the greater return it will provide. Users should be able to access all student related information from a single place so they are more productive and self-sufficient when using the system. This will even have an impact on customer service quality.

4. Innovative technology: As ERP systems have a long lifespan, it is important that their technology is innovative enough, not to become obsolete too early. Technology evolves very quickly and what can be enough today, might be a bottleneck in the future. Currently, cloud-ready solutions that can be accessed from anywhere and any device are a must. Ensure that the system you use is built on latest technology such Java and .NET framework with MS SQL database will ensure long life.

5. Competitive pricing and flexible schemes:  Class Management software price can be for a lifetime license plus a yearly support price OR it can be per month price. You should have both options available. It is advisable to go for per month price initially (also known as SAAS i.e. Software as a Service modal) and switch over to life-time-license once you are comfortable with the system.

6. Large installation base: It is important to ensure that the software is being used by many other institutes. This way you can be sure that software will be updated and maintained on regular basis. Software is prone to bugs during initial years, so it is important to know how long the software has been in use.

7. Implementer and support: It’s important to choose the right software but what is more important is to choose the right vendor. Make sure that your team and your implementer is experienced in both business and technology areas and can provide the support when needed. A lone programmer may change his occupation but a limited company will be able to service the software irrespective of the programmers being available or not.