Vendor research

Good vendor research leaves a trail from the requirement to the evidence. Begin with a specific integration need, then identify which sources can establish product capability, access requirements, support, and change policies. Keep marketing descriptions distinct from documentation and from behavior your team has actually tested.

Use the company shortlist workflow to organize that investigation. Attach a source URL and observation date to each important finding. When a question remains unanswered, describe the exact information needed instead of assigning an assumed favorable answer.

The research database guide helps preserve decisions across several candidates. Keep provider records separate from API versions and test observations. A rejected candidate can still provide useful knowledge when the reason is explicit and the record shows which future change would make another review worthwhile.