One of the most critical steps in custom programming is the estimating phase.  You must have a good estimate if you want a good program.  By “good”, we mean accurate.

But how will I know if the estimate is accurate?  Very good question.  Let’s start with a few things which, if true, are good indicators that you do not have an accurate estimate:

- the estimate was made without written specifications which include all file layouts, all screen layouts, all data validation and edit checking rules, all report layouts, formatting rules, data selection and sorting rules, all special processes such as automatic e-mail and faxing functions, etc.  In other words, everything the program is supposed to do and all aspects of its appearance.  This is what we call the program design.

 If you are having a program converted and like the way the original program works, we can use the existing program as the basis for the design

- the program design was too general.  Every screen, every report, all the data and all special processes need to be written down.

- you and your staff have not devoted considerable time developing specifications. It is hard work and very time consuming but the payoff can be enormous.

Question: How much should my company invest upgrading its computer programs?

Answer: Enough.

The challenge is knowing how much is enough.  There are many variables, but we believe that if your company is not investing an average of 1-5% of its gross annual income upgrading your programs, you are probably investing too little.

The investment should be driven by good cost/benefit ratios as well as a more subjective set of reasons such as improved customer service, improved employee morale, improved vendor relations, improved quality control, etc.

These subjective items do impact on the bottom line but are very difficult to measure.

So, if you implement an improvement that has a good return on investment and the change improves one or more of the subjective areas, the decision to move forward with the investment is an easy one.

Why not contact us now.  Even if you are just “thinking about” improving your business with custom programming, contact us to begin a dialogue.  We will not pressure you in any way.  Your phone number and e-mail address will not be shared with others.