Staying on TOP of your IP Asset Management Database System Project: Part II – Technology

Editor’s Note: This is the second post in a four-part series examining our lessons learned from managing IP Asset Management (IPAM) database system migration projects.

 

As I noted in the first post in this series, there are three critical building blocks to position your organization to stay on TOP of your migration to a new IPAM solution:

• Technology – Selecting the right technology and technology solution partners.
• Organization – Anticipating the impact to your organization and proactively developing and implementing a successful change management program.
• Process – Assembling the right project team and developing a practical project plan to position your organization for a successful implementation.

In this posting I will elaborate on the “Technology” element. This is the quite often the easy part – but the one element where we tend to focus most of our time and energy. Assuming that you are not developing your own IPAM solution using in-house resources, I recommend that you do not get overly immersed in specific features and functions of a new system. It is more important to select a qualified strategic partner that will support you throughout the life cycle of your solution. Specific best practices relative to the Technology building block include: 

1. Invest sufficient time to thoroughly understand and document your institutional / enterprise intellectual property management and integration requirements. Your requirements should be ranked and prioritized to assist you in the evaluation and selection process. You do not want to place any more emphasis than justified on features and functions that are desirable or “nice to have”, especially if they distract the focus on your core requirements.
2. Develop an evaluation matrix or tool with weighted requirements where you and rate and rank key solution features along with the qualifications of your vendors.
3. You should also invest a commensurable effort into evaluating your target solution vendors. Consider not only what the vendor is offering today, but examine their track record, the stability and effectiveness of their leadership team, company culture, market leadership, and ultimately the ability to support your organization on a long-term basis.
4. It is also essential that you interview current customers as references for your top candidate solutions. Ideally, these are not just a unique set of “raving fans” – but a cross-section of clients that have similar requirements with your institution.

How successful has your organization been in identifying both the right technology solution and technology partner for your institution? What are your key lessons learned? Please check back in a few days for the next installment in this series.