For one, the audit doesn't highlight the fact that Oakland police reused $660,000 worth of equipment originally bought for the in-car video system on another project, according to Santana.

The ShotSpotter system has also been more valuable to policing efforts than the audit implied, she added.

It seems clear that Oakland police officials "bought more technology than they could absorb," said Michael Krigsman, CEO of IT advisory firm Asuret. "Many organizations big and small do not realize the challenges associated with purchasing enterprise systems."

These difficulties span from the initial procurement, implementation and "change management," the concept of adapting work habits to the new systems, Krigsman added.

The IDG News Service