Why the Right GovCon CLM Matters
Selecting the right Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) software involves understanding some important terms—specifically, what it means for a system to be customizable versus configurable. Let’s explore these two concepts and why knowing the difference is crucial for finding a solution that best fits your organization’s needs.
Customizable Contracts Software: The Appeal and the Pitfalls
Imagine you’re shopping for a new suit. A custom, bespoke suit promises a perfect fit because it’s tailored just for you. It sounds ideal, but here’s the catch: it requires a lot of time, effort, and resources to get it right. And just like a suit that may no longer fit after too many holiday parties, a business can outgrow its customized software setup as it scales.
Customizable software is designed to meet your specific needs at a single point in time. While initially appealing, this level of customization can bring challenges. Each adjustment requires extensive development work: coding, testing, and implementing changes that can lead to long delays and rising costs. Just like that bespoke suit: it’s a perfect fit now, but with every natural change comes a frustrating alteration.
Customized CLMs can lead to inconsistent experiences across different departments as well. Teams have different priorities, goals, and workflows. Customizing with a focus on one department, most likely the department most involved in the implementation, makes the software difficult to use for the rest of the organization. After all, could your sibling wear your tailored suit?
Configurable GovCon CLM Software: Flexibility with Ease
Now, imagine a suit with adjustable seams and hems that you can alter easily at home. Configurable software offers a similar convenience. It allows for adjustments through user-friendly interfaces without the need for deep technical skills or development.
With configurable software, you can tweak settings, workflows, and interfaces. This approach allows you to fine-tune the software to your current needs without the high costs or hassles of customization. It’s as straightforward as adjusting your suit to fit different points in time without a trip to the tailor.
Configurable software proves to be more cost-effective in the long run. Without relying on extensive development for each change, initial setup and ongoing modifications are less costly. Updates and new features integrate smoothly, avoiding typical disruptions with customized software.
The Bottom Line
Selecting a CLM is more than a technical decision—it's a strategic one. By opting for a configurable CLM solution like Unison's, you invest in a system that's cost-effective, user-friendly, and capable of evolving with your business. Unlike other GovCon CLMs, we can deliver a configurable system because we are contracting professionals ourselves. This domain expertise enables us to understand what should be configurable and how to go about it. With Unison, you’re getting more than a tool. You’re equipping your team with the capability to adopt best practices, configure the system in a way that’s right for your business, and adapt seamlessly to future needs.
