I spend quite a lot of time keeping up to date with what’s on offer for design studios to manage their projects. I’ve installed six over the years and recommended many many more. 

Most companies who sell MIS or Project Management systems will offer a free evaluation period, but there is still a big barrier to entry, getting your data in (and out if you decide not to purchase) of the system.

A lot of providers offer to install test data, but it’s never the same as working with data you know, and part time cynic that I am, I end up with a nagging doubt that everything is set up to display the system in the best possible light

To be honest these days, if a service doesn’t offer at least company detail import via CSV I won’t evaluate it, they don’t even get a chance to sell to me.

So what about it MIS suppliers, SaaS providers and the big boys? It’s in your interest, can’t you knock heads and come up with a nice Standard XML format that holds MIS data, so we poor saps only have to input it once then export and import quickly and cleanly into multiple systems? More prospects will evaluate your pride and joy, and the more prospects who evaluate the higher the number that convert.