SOFTWARE EVALUATION CHECKLIST

Evaluate traceability software.
Follow a real workflow.

Use a consistent set of operational tests to compare what vendors demonstrate, what the implementation requires and what your team needs to own.

By Connect RXReviewed September 17, 2026

Illustrative operations team reviewing a workflow together

SAME DATA. FURTHER GOOD.

01 / THE WORKFLOW

Ask every vendor to show the same scenario.

Choose a representative inbound shipment and the accompanying data. Supply the same sample and questions to each vendor, then record the result and any assumptions. Comparing the same task is more useful than comparing unrelated feature counts.

01
Locate an item
Find a serial and explain the product, lot, status and location shown.
02
Follow the history
Show which events are available and identify their source.
03
Investigate an exception
Demonstrate a missing identifier, unfamiliar location or incomplete record.
04
Trace a document
Show the difference between transmission, receipt and business-level acceptance.

THE WORK, MADE VISIBLE

Score a demonstrated workflow consistently.

Use a simple evidence scale: demonstrated with your sample, documented but not demonstrated, included as implementation work, or unresolved. Apply the same scale to each vendor and keep a separate note for cost and ownership. Avoid turning an untested yes into a confirmed capability.

01
Same input
Give vendors the same representative data.
02
Same task
Ask users to complete the same operational action.
03
Same evidence
Record what was shown and what remains open.
04
Comparable scope
Identify implementation work and dependencies.

ILLUSTRATIVE WORKFLOW · THE IMPLEMENTATION FOLLOWS YOUR OPERATING REQUIREMENTS

02 / THE WORKFLOW

Request evidence, not a yes/no answer.

For each requirement, record whether it is demonstrated, documented, included in the proposal or still an open question. Distinguish a standard feature from implementation work, a third-party dependency or a roadmap item.

Illustrative medicine cartons with unit-level identification labels and a citron tray — Every item has its own context.

03 / THE WORKFLOW

Include the cost of operating the workflow.

Ask how the quote accounts for users, locations, partners, document volumes, implementation and support. Then identify who handles master-data issues, partner changes and failed exchanges after rollout.

04 / THE WORKFLOW

Use the same structure in an RFP.

Describe your operating context, sample workflows, integration requirements, security review, commercial questions and acceptance criteria. Leave space for the vendor to state assumptions and exclusions.

LET’S CONNECT

Bring your workflow.
Let’s find the connection.

Your systems. Your partners. The task you need to complete.

Discuss your workflow

Evaluate traceability software. Follow a real workflow.

Ask every vendor to show the same scenario.

Locate an item

Follow the history

Investigate an exception

Trace a document

Score a demonstrated workflow consistently.

Same input

Same task

Same evidence

Comparable scope

Request evidence, not a yes/no answer.

Include the cost of operating the workflow.

Use the same structure in an RFP.

Explore the next step.

Features

Integrations

Security review

Vendor information

Bring your workflow.Let’s find the connection.

Evaluate traceability software.
Follow a real workflow.

Bring your workflow.
Let’s find the connection.