Department/Area: IT Department
MUST HAVE -- TECHNICAL ISSUES	In Top 10	Identified but Not in Top 10	Not Identified but is a Must
Does the database utilize standard database design principles, including normalization, foreign keys, triggers, and single places to store the same data? Is data validated from the client upon entry? Can we add additional cross-checks for data integrity, and how would that be done?	1
Is the database open and flexible so that we can connect via ODBC, JDBC, XML, and develop our own programs to connect and update data as need be, locally and remotely?	2
What conversion and migration tools do they provide? Who does the migration? Can the migration be done gradually, and is the order of modules decided by vendor or client?	3
Does it come with the ability to set up a clustered environment or redundant server? What is the additional software cost of such an environment? Is it at the server level or the database level?	4
How does it work in conjunction with other network services? Does it require a directory service, and what options are there for which directory service to use? Can we use our own or only their specified service? Is there a single sign-on solution? How is session management handled for web access?	5
What security provisions are there? Can the database be partitioned so only the appropriate people view particular data elements? What auditing provisions exist to track data changes?	6
How is the system architecture designed? Is there a well-documented middleware tier, with flexibility of user interface?	7
How fast and trustworthy is technical support? What are standard support hours? Who has access to support? Is the cost included in the maintenance contract or is there a per call cost? Is there a clear distinction between help desk and consulting calls?	8
How are patches and upgrades delivered, and who installs them? Do all patches and upgrades need to be installed, or can we just put in the ones we need? Are updates bug-free and timely?	9
What are the client requirements? Are Macintoshes supported? Are web products platform or browser specific?	10
What are the development tools, and are they an additional purchase? How well are they documented? Can we customize the product, and mesh customizations in with their future developments and maintenance releases? Is there a code revision management system?	11
Is the technical documentation understandable and comprehensive? Is it on-line, up to date, and searchable?	12
Is the portal product open standards based so we can develop applications to plug in to it? Can third party products be connected to the portal?	13
What is the recommended staffing level to support the system? Are a full-time system administrator and/or database manager necessary? What percentage of daily maintenance and system/database administration will need to be done by consulting services or technical support?	14
What kind of technical training is offered? How often are classes offered? How will end user training be done? Do users need to travel to get training? Where are classes offered?	15
What interfaces are available to transfer data to external vendors such for EFT, government reporting, banking, etc…? What provision is there for higher ed specific requirements such as EDE, IPEDS, and SEVIS?	16
What kind of user based on-line forums and listservs are there? Is there an on-line knowledgebase? Are there user group meetings and conferences?	17
Does the product come with a training database or development environment?
How many transactions per minute can the database handle?
How well does the system integrate with current desktop applications such as the Microsoft Office suite?
Is there a well-integrated business intelligence tool for end users to use to create their own reports?
Is there flexibility about choice of database?
Product should be technically current. What languages and technologies are being used? What is their past history of upgrades? How do they interface operating system and product upgrades?
What solution do they provide for merging duplicate records?