Now there are 31 ways to evaluate a software package

(By Anthony Miller – Wednesday, 18th March 2009 950am). Aberystwyth University is certainly getting into its stride. After detailing 26 evaluation criteria to select an Enquiry and Enrolment Management System in a contract awarded last month (see 26 ways to evaluate a software package), they have trumped this with a 31-item wish-list for a system to “collect, interpret, distribute and discuss Wales' cultural heritage in an online environment”. Here they are (with weightings):

1. Educational Channel (formal learners). Weighting: 3 %. 2. Educational Channel (Informal learners). Weighting: 3 %. 3. Events Channel. Weighting: 3 %. 4. Features Channel. Weighting: 3 %. 5. Tourist Channel. Weighting: 3 %. 6. Themes Channel. Weighting: 3 %. 7. Schedules. Weighting: 3 %. 8. Testing & Acceptance. Weighting: 3 %. 9. Project & Contract Management. Weighting: 3 %. 10. Risk Assessment & Management. Weighting: 2 %. 11. Change Management. Weighting: 2 %. 12. Design, Look & Feel. Weighting: 4 %. 13. Cultural Heritage Trails. Weighting: 4 %. 14. Bilingual. Weighting: 3 %. 15. Accessibility. Weighting: 3 %. 16. Timeline Display Interface. Weighting: 3 %. 17. Search Mechanisms. Weighting: 3 %. 18. User Generated Content. Weighting: 3 %. 19. Content Moderation. Weighting: 2 %. 20. Open Source. Weighting: 4 %. 21. System Security. Weighting: 4 %. 22. Performance. Weighting: 4 %. 23. Hosting. Weighting: 4 %. 24. Copyright. Weighting: 4 %. 25. API. Weighting: 3 %. 26. GIS. Weighting: 3 %. 27. Satellite Navigation. Weighting: 3 %. 28. Analytics. Weighting: 2 %. 29. User Roles. Weighting: 1.5 %. 30. Mobile Applications. Weighting: 1.5 %. 31. Price. Weighting: 10 %.

Once again the Uni ran an electronic auction, receiving bids between £515,700 and £680,000. The contract went to the Cardiff-based Sequence Collective Limited who bid £599,130. Not the cheapest, but apparently the best. However, I note that this time ‘User Friendliness’ didn’t even rate a mention.