Vendor-Agnostic Technology Assessment: How Novutech Helped Akeura Choose the Right Software

A convincing software demo doesn't always tell you whether a solution will actually work for your business. And when you're making an important technology investment, understanding what a system can't do is just as valuable as knowing what it can.

This was a key consideration for Akeura, a global clinical research organization evaluating a new project management solution.

With Novutech's vendor-agnostic technology assessment, Akeura gained an independent perspective, a structured evaluation process and the information needed to present its decision to the board.

‍

Why Akeura needed a vendor-agnostic approach

During its NetSuite implementation, Akeura needed to select a project management tool to support its wider transformation.

But evaluating software wasn't simply about comparing features. The team needed a realistic understanding of which solutions could meet its business requirements, what their limitations were and how much they would actually cost.

For Miranda, Global Head of Accounting, Tax and Treasury at Akeura, transparency was particularly important.

It's very good to have a partner capable of overseeing all that's out there, but also to be very honest and open about what the system can and cannot deliver.

This is where independent advice made a difference.

Rather than relying solely on vendor presentations, Akeura worked with Novutech to compare solutions against its specific business requirements, with a clear understanding of each option's capabilities and limitations.

This independent approach is part of Novutech's Digital & Value Office, which helps companies assess their technology needs and make informed investment decisions.

‍

A structured technology assessment, without the complexity

One of the aspects Akeura valued most was the structure Novutech brought to the evaluation process.

Instead of managing requirements, vendor feedback, costs and action points across multiple emails and documents, the team had everything centralized in one place.

As John, Project Manager at Akeura, explains:

Everything was in one Excel file, so we knew what are the actions, what are the costs, what are the vendor reviews, what are our requirements.

This gave everyone involved a shared overview of the assessment and helped keep the process focused.

Novutech's approach brought together three key stages:

• Discovery: Understanding Akeura's needs through questionnaires and structured stakeholder interviews.
• Market comparison: Evaluating potential solutions against business requirements, costs and capabilities.
• Decision support: Consolidating the findings into a structured analysis to support next steps and budget discussions.

The objective wasn't to add another layer of complexity. It was to make an important technology decision easier to understand and manage.

‍

Software demos built around real business needs

Another important difference for Akeura was the way software demonstrations were organized.

Instead of generic sales pitches, vendors were asked to demonstrate how their solutions could address Akeura's specific requirements, processes and ways of working.

Those demos were tailor-made for our requirements, for our business, for our processes. - John, Akeura

For Akeura, this made the demonstrations genuinely useful.

The focus shifted from what a software provider wanted to showcase to what the business actually needed to evaluate.

And that's an essential part of a vendor-agnostic assessment: making the business requirements the starting point, not the software itself.

‍

From software evaluation to a board-ready business case

The value of the assessment didn't stop at comparing solutions.

Akeura also needed to communicate its technology requirements and investment needs clearly to its board and finance leadership.

With Novutech's support, the team had access to a structured cost analysis, including estimates that could serve as an independent reference point during subsequent commercial discussions.

John particularly appreciated that the information was detailed without becoming difficult to present.

It's really detailed, but it's also board ready. It contains all the costs, so we can talk about it with our CFO.

The independent perspective also helped the team explain its proposed investment.

As John described, Akeura could present what it needed and the associated budget, supported by an assessment that wasn't driven by the preferences of a particular vendor.

For Miranda, the quality of the financial analysis was equally valuable:

The cost analysis was very well structured and complete.

Rather than approaching the board with a software preference alone, Akeura had a documented evaluation, supported by a structured cost analysis, to justify its recommendation and inform investment discussions.

Beyond the financial analysis, the assessment also helped Akeura bring three organizations together and reach a shared decision in just two weeks. Discover the full story in Akeura's Vendor Assessment: From Three Teams to One Decision in Two Weeks.

‍

Watch Akeura's experience with Novutech

What does a vendor-agnostic technology assessment look like in practice?

Hear directly from Miranda and John as they share how Novutech helped Akeura evaluate software solutions, organize the selection process and build a clearer business case for its technology investment.

‍

Looking for independent advice on your next technology investment?

The best software decision starts with understanding your business, not with choosing a vendor.

Through our Digital & Value Office, Novutech helps growing companies assess their technology landscape, evaluate potential solutions and make informed investment decisions.

Beyond software selection, this approach also helps organizations align people, processes and technology. Discover how Akeura experienced these benefits.

Whether you're reviewing project management, procurement, billing or finance systems, our approach combines business understanding, structured analysis and independent recommendations.

Book a discovery call and let's discuss how to approach your next technology decision.