Navigating the World of BC Software: Insights from a CEO and Platform Creator

If there is any aspect of being a business continuity practitioner more daunting than facing a business disruption, it might be shopping for business continuity software. In today’s post, I’ll share my views on this uniquely challenging process, speaking from my perspective as the CEO of a BC consulting firm and the creator of a BC software solution.

An Insider’s Perspective on Buying BC Software

I come to this topic with a unique perspective. As the CEO of MHA Consulting, I’ve spent the past 25 years helping a diverse, global array of clients across a range of industries to transform their ability to recover from disruptions and enhance their operational resilience. To strengthen MHA’s ability to serve its clients, we created our modular Software as a Service (SaaS) suite, BCMMetrics, which streamlines the process of developing, implementing, exercising, and maintaining and continually improving an enterprise continuity program.  

Initially, BCMMetrics was used only by MHA consultants, and we continue to use it every day in carrying out engagements with our clients. But the platform’s effectiveness and ease of use led us to think it could find acceptance in the marketplace. This has proven to be the case, giving me my current double role as a working BC consultant and the CEO of a company that offers a BC SaaS software suite on the open market.

This is the experience that informs this post: As the CEO of BCMMetrics I would love to raise the profile and market share of BCMMetrics software. As the head of MHA Consulting, I know that there is no “best” BC software platform and that none of them, including ours, is right for every organization. In every case, the key to successful software procurement is realistically analyzing the company’s needs and resources and choosing a platform that is a good fit.

The Contemporary BC Software Landscape

Here’s a realistic description of the current BC software landscape: There are two eight-hundred-pound gorillas and then there is everyone else. The gorillas are Fusion Framework and BC in the Cloud. These platforms are immensely capable, highly reliable, and very scalable. However, in the opinion of many practitioners, they can also be expensive, complicated, and demanding in terms of their learning curve and ongoing care and feeding.

Beyond these industry heavyweights, you’ll find a range of other platforms, including Riskonnect, VEOCI, Archer, N Contracts, and, of course, BCMMetrics.

Each of these platforms has its strengths and weaknesses. What might be perfect for Organization A could be a serious misstep for Organization B.

Given this landscape, how does an organization decide which platform to implement—especially when contracts can stretch for three years and reach into the six figures?

Read on for a list of considerations to help you make an informed, intelligent decision when shopping for a BC software solution.

BC Software Buying Considerations

When it comes to choosing a business continuity (BC) software platform, there is really only one central consideration: Does it fit your organization?

The right tool is the one that aligns with your organization’s unique needs, priorities, budget, and resources. Everything else—features, reputation, price tags—matters only insofar as it serves this fundamental goal.

Here are some key aspects to consider when evaluating fit:

• Data security and reliability: Can the platform protect sensitive information and remain operational during disruptions?
• Core capabilities: Does it support essential BC functions like business impact analyses (BIAs), standards alignment, plan documentation, exercises, incident management, and automatic notifications?
• Ease of use: Is the platform intuitive and user-friendly? A complex tool may look impressive, but it can be counterproductive if your team struggles to use and maintain it.
• Scalability: Can the software grow with your organization and adapt as your program evolves?
• Integration with existing workflows: Does it complement your current processes, or will it require disruptive adjustments?
• Support and training: What kind of customer support and onboarding assistance does the vendor provide?

A Recommended Process for Selecting the Right BC Tool

Choosing the right BC software requires a thoughtful and methodical approach. Begin by consulting industry lists and studying vendor websites to understand their features and target audiences. Talking to peers at other organizations can provide invaluable insights into their experiences with BC software. Viewing live or recorded demos allows you to evaluate the software’s usability and determine whether it aligns with your organization’s workflows.

Equally important is engaging directly with the people behind the tool. Conversations with sales reps, product experts, and support staff can help you assess the company’s commitment to customer success. Don’t overlook the importance of understanding the support and training you’ll receive—these factors often determine whether a tool becomes an asset or a burden. 

As you move through the process, continuously evaluate your organization’s needs, budget, and resources. Be realistic about what you can support and prioritize simplicity over flashy features if your resources are limited. By focusing on finding the right fit rather than chasing the most advanced tool, you’ll position your organization to reap the full benefits of your BC software investment.

Remember, the goal is to transform your organization’s resilience—not to own the most sophisticated tool. Choosing a platform that fits your organization ensures that your investment pays off, your team can use it effectively, and your BC program thrives. The right tool, thoughtfully chosen, will empower your organization to face disruptions with confidence.

The Case for BCMMetrics

Before I conclude, I would like to say a few words about BCMMetrics, not because I think it is the perfect solution for everyone but because I believe it is an excellent platform that is worth the consideration of every organization with a serious interest in enhancing its resilience and protecting its stakeholders. 

As we like to say, BCMMetrics is business continuity software for companies that mean business. It’s a platform created by BC practitioners for BC practitioners (rather than being produced by people who are programmers first and BC enthusiasts second). Lean, light, and functional (and priced accordingly), BCMMetrics is short on bells and whistles but long on performance. As another one of our catch phrases puts it, “It doesn’t sing, it doesn’t dance, it just works.”

Our team uses BCMMetrics every day in engagements with clients across all industries, including the most highly regulated, and of all sizes, from Fortune 100 companies to small nonprofits. 

BCMMetrics consists of five powerful modules, each offering distinct capabilities to enhance business continuity management:

• Compliance Confidence: Designed to evaluate a program’s alignment with industry standards such as ISO 22301 and NIST, Compliance Confidence highlights strengths and identifies areas for improvement, providing a clear pathway to maintaining readiness.
• BIA On-Demand: This module facilitates the process of conducting Business Impact Analyses (BIAs). It enables organizations to identify critical business processes, determine recovery time objectives, and gain actionable insights to inform decision-making.
• BCM Planner: A centralized platform that allows organizations to create, maintain, and share business continuity plans. BCM Planner simplifies collaboration and ensures that all team members have access to accurate, up-to-date plans.
• BCM One: An intuitive, icon-based mapping module that provides a global view of organizational facilities. BCM One offers rapid access to critical site plans, data, and information during incidents, supporting effective response and decision-making.
• Residual Risk: This tool helps organizations assess and quantify the gaps between their current capabilities and their level of risk tolerance. It provides insights into residual risk vulnerabilities, enabling organizations to prioritize mitigation efforts effectively.

Each of these modules works seamlessly within the BCMMetrics suite, providing organizations with a comprehensive and user-friendly solution for managing all aspects of their business continuity program.

Finding a Solution That Fits

Choosing the right business continuity software is about more than selecting the most popular tool or the one with the longest feature list. It’s about finding a solution that fits your organization’s unique needs, enhances your program, and supports your resilience goals without overburdening your resources.

We’re proud of what we’ve created with BCMMetrics, and we’re confident it can be a game-changer for the right organizations. Whether you’re conducting BIAs, aligning with standards, or managing incidents, BCMMetrics offers the tools to make your program more effective and easier to manage.

Further Reading

• How BCM Software Can Make Your Business Continuity Program More Agile
• BCM Software Buyer’s Guide: Five Things to Know Before You Buy
• Budgeting for Resilience: How to Obtain Funding for Business Continuity in 2025
• Using BCM Software: 4 Ways It Can Change Your Life
• Protecting Your Business: MHA's Best Practices for IT Recovery and Resiliency