What's more important when you buy a house? Function or Finance? The truth is that usually both factors are important. But it's no less important how you feel about the house and whether the estate agent arrives on time.

Although there are many factors to take into account when choosing software for your business, some golden rules make the right choice easier. If you decide what you want then the relevant features follow – in the same way that if you ask the right question then the answer becomes obvious. If you know how much you should spend then you will be able to compare solutions according to simple rules of thumb that make sense – like dirt cheap, almost affordable, or insanely expensive. But never forget the other factors, like how well the proposed solution fits your business needs or how well you think the supplier can help you to deploy the solution (or what the boss says he likes).

It all boils down to realizing what's on your wish list before the magic software fairy arrives to grant you your three wishes. I know my magic potion: 3 parts affordability, 3 parts function and 3 parts that indefinable something.

Calling all production, operations and SHEQ managers...this is your last chance to register for our Software Feast in 2 weeks.