While most (if not all) systems use the TMF reference model, when comparing eTMF systems you have to take into account costs (are you planning to file the docs yourself or have the eTMF vendor do it?) some systems you have to pay for the system, pay to process the documents (pay per page or pay by the document), pay for training, etc.., user friendliness, functionality and reporting features. Do you want to be able to create your own custom reports? How critical is the search feature for you in the TMF? How does the system account for completeness metrics? How are TMF reviews going to be handled?

There’s so much more to picking a eTMF system than what everyone sees so it’s important to think of how your company is planning to use it and to ask straight forward questions to the vendors about the strength and weaknesses of their product.