Buying Code Enforcement Software: How to Evaluate Vendors and Products
This is part of an ongoing series about the procurement process for acquiring code enforcement software. To read about other steps in the process, start with Research and Planning Considerations then move on to Navigating the Approvals Process.
While basic functionality might overlap, each vendor is going to offer a slightly different product and service that will ultimately translate into vastly different experiences for you as a customer.
One vendor might offer code enforcement wrapped up as a package deal with an enterprise permitting and licensing solution. Another might specialize in just code enforcement as a standalone (yet still integratable) product. Still others offer functionality that works for compliance activity without being specifically designed for code enforcement.
When comparing such vastly different options, it’s critical to keep priorities in mind and develop an evaluation process that helps you measure solutions side-by-side.
In our code enforcement software buyer’s guide, we emphasize that successful agencies evaluate more than just products. They evaluate partners. Here’s how to approach this critical phase with confidence.
Use Your Priorities as a Decision Framework
In the first stage of the process, you detailed and ranked your priorities. At this stage, that list of priorities becomes your most valuable tool.
Rather than reacting to every new feature shown in a demo, use your documented needs to guide each conversation. Comparing vendors against consistent criteria helps keep the process objective and focused.
In Comcate’s Buyer’s Guide, we even offer a Code Enforcement Software Selection Scorecard that allows you to compare providers side-by-side on the functionality most pertinent to your needs, and utilize a scoring system to see how each stacks up in the end.
Ask Vendors to Prove Functionality
It’s not enough for a vendor to say they offer particular functionality. They need to prove it. During demos, ask to see specific functionality in action. That way there are no surprises when it comes to using the system yourself.
Look for Flexible, Transparent Pricing
Not all pricing models are created equal. Some platforms bundle every feature into a single package, whether you use them or not. Others offer modular options that allow you to scale functionality over time.
Flexible pricing helps ensure your agency is paying for what it actually needs today, while still allowing room to grow in the future. It also makes long-term budgeting more predictable and defensible.
Prioritize Autonomy and Control
Small system changes – updating ordinance language, editing notice templates, adjusting timelines – happen all the time in code enforcement. If every minor adjustment requires a vendor support ticket, efficiency quickly suffers.
That’s why user autonomy is so important. Look for a platform that empowers your team to make routine updates independently, without waiting days or weeks for vendor assistance.
The right solution should adapt to your workflows, not the other way around.
Evaluate Support as Carefully as Features
In code enforcement, issues can’t wait. When a system problem affects inspections, notices, or case management, your team needs fast, reliable support.
Strong vendors offer personalized assistance, clear response timelines, and ongoing training – especially valuable in departments with frequent staff turnover.
Support shouldn’t be an “extra” but a core part of the product experience.
Think Long-Term, Not Just at Purchase Time
At the end of the day, you’re not just buying software – you’re entering into a multi-year relationship with a company and its services.
To that end, evaluating vendors isn’t about finding the most impressive demo. It’s about choosing a partner who understands your operational realities and will continue supporting your agency long after implementation. It’s about finding the right fit.
When priorities are met, pricing is flexible, autonomy is built in, and support is reliable, your department is better positioned for sustained success.
Bringing It All Together
From research and planning to approvals and vendor evaluation, successful software procurement is a step-by-step process. Agencies that approach each phase intentionally are far more likely to find a solution that fits their needs and will serve as a good fit for the long-term.
Even if your team has intentionally worked through every step of the process, we understand that evaluating options to make a final decision can be stressful. That’s why we developed our Code Enforcement Software Selection Scorecard, to help code enforcement teams across the country evaluate their options side-by-side in a systematic way.
To access our scorecard, along with more in-depth detail on every stage of the procurement process (including pre-implementation tips not covered in this series), download the complete Code Enforcement Software Buyer’s Guide.
Schedule a Meeting with Comcate Today!
Learn how Comcate can help make government delivery simple, and offer a modern digital experience to help you increase transparency, efficiency, and performance across your departments. If you have any questions about implementing our software, please fill out the form below or call us directly at (415) 632-1248.
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