This was advice given to me many years ago as a departmental manager in a factory. I have since learnt that the same advice applies to software. Buying new software without considering whether it will meet the specific needs of the organization is a mistake.
A key question is:
Once there is a clear understanding of what is needed, then different software options can be researched and evaluated. This includes looking at features, pricing, and vendor reputation, as well as any other factors that are important to the organization.
It is critical to choose the correct vendor: will the vendor, and by extension, the platform itself, still exist at the end of the contract?
After the software is purchased, it may take an extended period to implement properly and ensure successful adoption by users.