capSpire Blog

capSpire service focuses on robust end-to-end software scenarios, less documentation and more interaction between commodity trading companies and software vendors

Traditional software selection sends an organization on a document-heavy process of requirement lists and proposal requests. It’s a lengthy, more ridged method that rarely focuses on actual interaction between the business and proposed software. capSpire, a global commodity consulting and solutions company, is turning the traditional commodity trading and risk management (CTRM) software selection process on its side – and introducing an Agile Software Selection service for its clients based on Agile methodology.

Introduced in 2001, the Agile Manifesto changed the way software is developed – from a waterfall methodology to a more fluid process. It adheres to a system of tenants, which describe how to create a more value-based experience for clients. The tenants are:

• Individuals and Interactions over processes and tools
• Working Software over documentation
• Customer Collaboration over contract negation
• Responding to Change over following a plan

Leveraging the firm’s extensive knowledge of software applications and proprietary solutions, capSpire’s new Agile Software Selection service will focus on software capabilities that best compliment an organization’s core business operations.
The Agile selection process will require less documentation and focus on clearly identifying and analyzing software capabilities, references from similar organizations, robust end-to-end scenarios, and extensive software demonstrations that allow the users to interact with the solution.

“Our experience shows us that Agile methodologies offer a better way to select software for our CTRM clients. capSpire is taking a more scenario-based approach to software selection and by utilizing Agile methodology we can take the focus off of long RFPs with hundreds of questions and put an emphasis on actual interactions between the business and the software. This allows the customer to better understand how their day-to-day job functions will be impacted. We want our clients to see solid proof from vendors that their software will provide the best value and offer the most capabilities,” says capSpire co-founder Mike Scharf.

Recently several CTRM solutions migrated their technology platforms, which left a number of organizations in the energy space facing expensive and complicated upgrades. These companies face a decision — should they upgrade or try something new? capSpire’s new Agile Software Selection service gives energy companies an affordable, streamlined process to identify solutions available in the market and validate whether or not their current system matches their business requirements.

A more efficient and effective approach to selecting trading and risk systems is long overdue. To learn more about capSpire’s Agile Software Selection services click here.