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Tool · Vendor Management

Vendor comparison matrix

Side-by-side vendor evaluation template, with weighting and scoring already built in. Disciplined enough to defend a decision; lightweight enough to actually use.

Published 10 Oct 2025

What this tool does

Vendor selections that survive scrutiny are decisions you can defend in 18 months when something goes wrong. This matrix exists to put structure around that defence, not to replace human judgement.

Inside the tool

What it includes

  • Pre-loaded criteria across capability, commercial, security, support, and exit terms
  • Configurable weights with a default model tuned for mid-market organisations
  • Reference-check and demo-evaluation scoring built in
  • Output is a single-page summary suitable for procurement and the board

How to use it

  1. Add the vendors you are evaluating as columns
  2. Adjust criteria weights to match the decision's priorities
  3. Score each vendor 1-5 across each criterion (with notes)
  4. Use the weighted total as input to the decision, never as the decision itself
Research sources

Evidence-based, transparently sourced.

All statistics and research findings on this page are supported by authoritative sources. Behind The SLA is committed to evidence-based advisory and transparent methodology.

  1. [1]
    Behind The SLA. (2025). Vendor selection methodology
    Default weights tuned from documented mid-market vendor selection engagements: capability 30%, commercial 25%, security 20%, support 15%, exit terms 10%.

Methodology Note: Behind The SLA conducts independent research validation for all published statistics. Where proprietary research is cited, it is based on aggregated, anonymised data from client engagements spanning 15+ years of MSP industry experience.

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