Acquiring Information Technology
The pace of change in information technology has resulted in horror stories of incompatibility and abandoned systems. Choice of computer equipment and software is a crucial decision for any business and when reviewing the contract documentation you should certainly be alive to the possibility of things going wrong and the clauses in the agreement which help to prevent or remedy such problems.
With respect to software it should be noted that you will generally be entering into a licence (of intellectual property rights) rather than a sale which results in restrictions on your use of the software after the transaction. Consultancy is also generally a significant expense in this area.
The information below provides guidance on pitfalls involved in the acquisition of computer hardware and software, and how these can be avoided or minimised by negotiation and contractual terms.