Using an AFIS takes trained personnel. If a system is too slow, too hard to learn, or time-consuming to use, you are wasting your personnel resources. Or worse, you have to keep hiring and training people to keep from falling behind. Sooner or later, every AFIS system will require expansion or upgrade. Many AFIS vendors take the opportunity to charge exorbitant amounts to upgrade or expand.
Some vendors skimp on database conversion or use it as a loss-leader.
But the best possible AFIS starts with a high-quality converted database, because accurate conversion to digital records is essential to achieving maximum system performance. Some AFIS vendors don't support national interface standards. Some still insist you connect only with regional networks consisting of only their users.