Fill in the box below so we can keep you up-to-date with the latest best practices for winning more business.
What type of proposal technology fits best?
Which technology fits best depends more on the type of proposal than the type of technology. Here is a table cross-referencing types of proposals to types of technology.
Proposal Type Relevent Technology Single Author Single user software, personal information managers (PIMs), MS-Word Templates Multiple Authors Document management, groupware, workflow, project management Multiple Companies/Teams Web-based/extranets Graphics intensive High-bandwidth connectivity, Digital cameras/imaging, Macromedia Flash, multi-media, writable CD-ROMs/DVD Multiple software packages in use Format translaters, PDF, XML RFP-based Requirements allocation, assignment tracking Highly similar submissions (i.e., product proposals) Databases, check-list interfaces Every proposal is different (i.e., systems integration, R&D, etc.) Document management, XML
Unfortunately, there is no "one size fits all" proposal software solution. You must take into consideration the type of company you are, the type of proposals you prepare, the way you prepare them, and the existing infrastructures within your company that you have to integrate with.
By far, the easiest to automate is the proposal prepared by a single person who can do as he/she pleases. However, for the rest of us, be careful. You may be able to find proposal technology with the features you want, only to find that it is not compatible with the other factors you have to consider.
Show the author of this article some love and appreciation by posting a link to it or emailing a friend and telling them about it. Thanks!
