Anytime you’re looking into adding the best payroll software to your business operations (whether it’s for the first time or you’re upgrading an existing payroll software solution), an essential part of your decision-making process should be to consult with the payroll software vendor and take advantage of the payroll software demonstration they offer for companies who are interested in using their payroll software solution.
A payroll software demo can be highly beneficial in helping you understand the payroll software's capabilities and features, and it allows you to see the system in action and get your questions answered by an expert. So, a payroll software demo in and of itself is extremely valuable, but there are some key things you can do to make the most of your payroll software demo. Further in the article, you will find valuable tips to make the best of your payroll software demo.
Get Ready
You must spend some time getting ready to obtain optimal value from your payroll software suite demonstration. You should think through all the ways you want to improve your current payroll processes and refresh yourself on your overarching business goals as a first step.
Having a short meeting with your team members and the relevant staff will pay off to discuss your business needs and how payroll software can contribute to fulfilling those needs. This process will also help you fine-tune your vendor research and choose the 3-5 payroll software vendors that most closely align with your business. So instead of having a long list of vendors and asking them all to give you a demo, you will have the best of them short-listed. These are the vendors you want to move to the next step in the process with a demo.
You can refer to our Payroll Software comparison for a comprehensive list of what you need to do as you prepare and buy new payroll software. Remember, time is money, and getting ready before the buying process starts can not only save you a lot of time but also bring a lot of clarity.
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Make Sure Key Decision Makers Are Involved in Your Payroll Software Demo
While you may be tempted to have your HR head or another team member participate in the demo and report back to the executive team, having all your critical decision-makers involved is worth the time. This way, you will ensure that everyone involved has the same information from the demo, and it can also be helpful to make sure you ask all the critical questions during the demo as well.
Instruct the people involved to have a list of expectations from the payroll software so they know what to look for when they see the demo.
Request a Live Demo of the Payroll Software
Oftentimes, since demos are a standard part of shopping for a new payroll software solution, a vendor will have a recorded system demo done in advance that they can use to give interested buyers a peek into the payroll software. But seeing the payroll software live in action will help you understand how the technology functions in real time.
You can make sure that there aren’t payroll software issues or problems toggling between different system functions, which you’ll never see in a pre-recorded demo. So instead of watching a pre-recorded demo, ask for a live one. It will give you better insights and will be well worth your time.
Focus on Function, Not Aesthetics
While you definitely want a payroll software interface that is intuitive and easy to use, try to focus on something other than the aesthetics of the system. Instead, keep a keen eye on function and make sure that the system can seamlessly handle all of your payroll software processes and needs, no matter how appealing it is to the eye.
Get the Nitty Gritty on Payroll Software Pricing
People often feel that there are better times to explore pricing than the demo, but the reality is that a demo is a perfect time to get details on payroll software pricing. As you've walked through each aspect of payroll software, you can ask what’s included in the base pricing and determine what features or integrations may cost extra. Some payroll software companies have hidden prices for what they call premium features. Make sure that you know what exactly you are getting in exchange for your money and for what features you will have to pay extra money.
Ask What Differentiates Them From the Competition
During your payroll software demo, you should make sure to ask the vendor what 3 (or more) things differentiate their payroll software from the competition. Finding out what they do best, and which features are the best suited to your exact payroll software needs will help you choose the best payroll software solution for your business. During a demo, you may get deeper insight than you would from their website or other marketing materials.
Follow-Up After Your Demo
After your demos, make sure you follow up with the payroll software vendors that you’ve identified as your top options. You can work out details and ask any questions that may have come after thinking through the demo, or talking it over with your teams, to ensure that you move forward with the tools you need.
Like what you just read? At Wheelhouse, we are passionate about all things software, and our specialty is connecting software buyers to an enterprise solution that perfectly matches their needs. Visit our website to compare payroll software and see which payroll software suits your needs best. Whether you are looking for SaaS payroll software, payroll cloud software, payroll software for small businesses, or a payroll software solution for large enterprises, we have you covered.
Please visit our Payroll Software Solutions page for a complete list of all our available solutions.
