Many companies have yet to emphasize product testing to the point of creating a truly independent internal testing organization. But, according to a study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, fixing a software defect after a system is operational can cost two to five times more than if the defect was fixed during final testing. This conclusion can logically be extended to any project – whether an internal procedure roll-out or a consumer product.

Having the smartest, most talented people is only half of the equation. Up-to-date, well written, and well-communicated processes and procedures are often the missing piece to achieving the highest levels of quality. Companies like yours can not afford to waste time and money re-inventing the wheel again and again.

If you are a software company, your source code is the lifeblood of your company. Securely maintaining the code - and all revisions and builds – is crucial to your product’s successful growth. Configuration Management tools and applications are your best guarantee against losing this control.

If you aren’t a software company but develop documentation for knowledge continuance, training, and best practices, you are in need of Document Control systems as well. While your content won’t be source code, you have the same need for easily accessible, controlled-release documents.

In order to fully focus on their own core competencies, companies must rely on outside vendors for applications, products, and components. But that doesn’t mean relying on the salesperson’s representation of a product’s abilities.

In today’s complex, high-tech environment, products need to be evaluated against your specific requirements. You can’t afford to make a million-dollar mistake by finding out after the check clears that the application isn’t really what you needed at all.