November 30, 2008
Who needs custom software development?
The company purchased the assets of a bankrupt company. They’ve seen one or more Microsoft Access databases in use there before the company went under. They’d like to know if the software is any good. They’d like to know if the software is more capable than the software they currently use to run the business processes. The company also wants to know who the original developer is and if they are still in business as well. They want to understand the licensing requirements of the application, should they decide to deploy it themselves.
They need an experienced software developer to review and document the system. Preferably someone from outside their organization who has an unbiased opinion. Preferably someone with some familiarity with their current software and/or business processes.
This company has a clearly defined need and hopefully, I will get a chance to help them make an informed decision.
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Posted by Scott Kersey
November 26, 2008
Who needs custom software development?
The company provides products or services in a well established market. There are probably tens of shrink wrapped software tools built to serve their needs. The owner or IT manager has experience with one or more of these tools. The experiences are good and bad, but all are costly. They know the tools have limitations. The software doesn’t offer just a few features they really need. The original software developer is not interested in customizing the product just for one customer. The company knows that they could serve their customers (and operations) better with these additional features. Perhaps, they have grown tired of tracking this data in another application and having to do double data entry.
They need software that can be quickly built using the existing application as an outline. They need software that can have all of the features they need to manage and grow their business. They need software that they themselves might sell as a product someday. They need someone with experience building software for a variety of industries, so the product does not rely too much on the faults of their own industry.
This company has a clearly defined goal and hopefully, I will get a chance to help them achieve it.
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Posted by Scott Kersey
November 23, 2008
Who needs custom software development?
The company that started with two or three people. The CFO or accountant really knows Excel well. Well enough to build a quick Excel application that tracks some aspect of the business. The company becomes successful. Before long there are way more than three people employed there. The original application written by the founder(s) just can’t support the number of users needed. The original application cannot support the volume and veracity of data. The CFO or accountant no longer has time to support the application.
They need software that is robust. The need software with extensibility. The need software that cannot be stolen or destroyed with a click or two. The need features like they have in other software the company uses on a daily basis. They need someone with experience building software, since there is no need to relive the current experience.
This company clearly needs help and hopefully, I will get a chance to provide that help.
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Posted by Scott Kersey
November 6, 2008
Is Self Service Online Support the nice way of saying No Technical Support?
He knocked the elastic right out of his pants. (Thanks - NFL)
It’s no Turkey in the Straw.
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Posted by Scott Kersey
October 11, 2008
I recently had the (er…) pleasure of installing DotNetNuke on the web server of one of my clients and all I can say is be careful. This kind of task should definitely be handled by your domain administrator or web developer. Do you have existing ASP.NET or Active Server Pages applications installed on your site? Do you have data in a SQL Server database on your web host? All the more reasons to let a professional handle the installation of DNN (DotNetNuke).
Web hosts who provide DotNetNuke hosting:
www.GoDaddy.com
www.CrystalTech.com
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Posted by Scott Kersey
October 3, 2008
How many will try the Google Chrome browser because of dissatisfaction with Firefox 3?
Trust comes in large part from courage and from the ability to constructively confront reality. (Thanks Charles H. Green)
When are you gonna scratch that itch?
What no photo radar yet from ADOT? I’m so disappointed.
He deducted his watch and bicycle as business expenses. (Thanks - Warren Buffet and his paper route)
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Posted by Scott Kersey
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