How we do our reviews

        We looked at 12 VR Vendors.  We broke those up in to 3 categories; 1st Tier Vendors, 2nd Tier 
Vendors and Other (small, niche vendors).  Our reasoning for these categories was this:  we can only 
identify about 5 or 6 vendors that have active comprehensive VR solutions.  There are other vendors that do
have VR products, but they are dated, incomplete or perhaps only effective on a regional basis.  While
we are not disparaging those vendors, we don't feel they have a true off-the-shelf VR solution that can be
used in a variety of jurisdictions.

Our 2nd Tier vendors have their own rankings, and strengths and weaknesses.  In some cases they don't have
enough market share to be properly evaluated.  Some 2nd Tier vendors might be new to the market and
haven't yet established a track record.  However, we might feel they have some very strong products.  We
are not discouraging counties from working with 2nd tier vendors.  Quite the contrary.  In many cases they
are the ideal vendor to work with.  They may have a dedication to a smaller market base and will concentrate
on being true experts in the states they serve.  It's just that they have to be evaluated on that basis.  If they
have no presence in your state, you have to think seriously about whether or not they can adapt their
system to your specific needs.

Other vendors are those vendors that do have some kind of VR product but not of sufficient strength
to merit a 1st or 2nd tier ranking.  They may be new to the business, or have such small market share to as
to be fringe players to the business.  However,  a vendor of this level would merit a 2nd tier ranking if their
product was strong.  Therefore, the vendors in the Other category do not have a comprehensive
turnkey application.  However, for a specific application, they may have a good solution for you (such
as document imaging, or campaign finance modules).

We looked carefully at all aspects of these firms and their products.  We looked at the size of the companies,
the number of installations, the size of counties in which they are installed.  We also look at the size of
technical support staff, geographical coverage, and technical strengths of the products.  For each category
a product Matrix or comparison chart is provided.

In addition a short survey was sent to each vendor that we identified.  We received replies from a number 
of these vendors and their survey is provided on each vendors' page.  This survey covers basic technical 
aspects of their programs (such as type of language written in, etc.) as well as information concerned 
each company (such as their size and number of jurisdictions). 

Finally we spend some time addressing the issue of Statewide Systems.  Certainly in light of the passage 
of the HAVA (Help America Vote Act) there is a requirement that each state create a Statewide VR system.  
While as of this writing there is great controversy over what this entails, we did want to cover the 
status of Statewide Systems and vendors that provide such systems.