All engineers and integrators: Let's say you have a new project on the horizon. You will be creating a brand new HMI/SCADA software deployment and your client/boss wants your recommendation. Do you just recommend the same software you always use because you are familiar with it? How much time do you really spend testing new software from different vendors to see if you can find something better?

Or, let's say you are a manager or executive in charge of managing the project. Do you take time to research new software? Do you just take your engineers' suggestions?

What criteria do you use to determine which software will be best for your application?