Article written by Brett Miller – http://www.customsoftwarebypreston.com

The Consistency of Change

Change is inevitable and can be driven by any number of internal or external considerations. Internal considerations may include such things as the need for improved efficiency or effectiveness, changes in personnel, new products and/or services, new technology, mergers and acquisitions, and etc. External changes may be generated by cost increases, business partners, the competition, legal issues, obsolescence, or the economic climate; to name a few. But one thing is guaranteed … change is inevitable … and must be weighed against economic viability and (get this, because it is really important) your ability to manifest the cooperation of your staff at all levels.

Planning Communications

Of all the variables involved the single most often neglected aspect of change is the people who are expected to incorporate that change into their daily routine … your employees and staff. You see they have expectations too … having to do with their jobs, their relationships, their environment, and their perception of the future. They want to feel comfortable in their work … and change, at their level, creates doubts, discomforts, and fear. So it is no real wonder that the old paradigm of “I’m the boss and the staff must do as I say” has been replaced in forward thinking organizations with proper implementation of “Change Management”.

Rationale

Presenting the business reasons for change is a good first step. Obviously, If the people who are expected to implement the changes don’t understand them … you cannot realistically expect their cooperation. Is it really that simple? Actually no and here is why. There is an old adage that says everyone listens to the same radio station … WIIFM (What’s In It For Me!) … and your staff is no exception. Your staff must not only see how the proposed changes benefit the company but also how they will benefit, too. And this last step is the single most critical element of the equation. Not just communicating the “Vision” but reaching toward that goal where every person in the organization, affected by the change, shares the vision and is able to see how the benefits of that change extends to them … personally.

Partners in Change

In every organization and at every level there are the leaders and there are the followers. “Partners in Change” is a good way to define the character of the support and teamwork you need from those identified as leaders; people who are not only supportive but are willing to champion the cause … providing the enthusiasm and commitment for others to follow. These people are your true agents of change. You probably already know who they are … they are influential among their peers, their opinions are respected, they are good communicators, they act as the liaisons, and probably already play a critical role in current operations, they are looked up to and usually already have a following. Identify these individuals. Then consider asking them to access various aspects of the project during the planning stage, in the rollout stage, and (most important) at the conclusion; so you have a solid understanding of how the project unfolded, and its level of success, in the eyes of your employees and staff.

The Role of Management

The importance of leadership in any organization cannot be overestimated. However the leaders are not always those who are identified as staff management. As stated above there are leaders at every level and they can work with you or against you. Many companies opt for a “Change Management Consultant” and it is of the utmost importance for this outsider to recognize your in-house leaders, the roles they will need to play, be able to garner their support, and to understand that their opinion counts. In the end, you must be able to sculpt the entire process … not from the viewpoint of the change itself, but from the viewpoint of that part of your staff that will implement, maintain, and have those changes as part of their daily world.

Structuring Cooperation

Getting people to feel a real commitment to change takes a lot of effort … and management skill. People have a natural in-born resistance to change that is thrust upon them. Resistance, in this case by definition, is the measure by which you can gauge your staff’s view of the consequential and inevitable disruption to their daily lives. Disruption cannot be eliminated but in can be managed efficiently; particularly if the disruption is masked by enthusiasm and the feeling of partnership in the workplace. Remember, people usually resist change for one of two primary reasons. The first is unwillingness. Often this is because they don’t fully understand how the changes will affect them or because they expect to be downsized. The second is inability. They may fear they will not be able to learn the new system, or that their productivity will suffer which, in turn, will lead to their dismissal. Mark this point, sometimes these feeling are not without basis. A common failing of technological implementations is over-optimism on the part of Technology Departments to fully realize how much training and support users will need within a new system.

Cultural and Technological Aspects

From a cultural standpoint and historically speaking, change is better suited to a team mentality where hierarchies and individual competencies are flattened in favor of accomplishments that suit and compliment the team, within the confines of the implemented system. However, in this aspect it should also be noted that the compensation and performance appraisal systems must also be restructured to reflect the team paradigm for people to fully realize their greatest benefit. Technologically speaking, the team approach eliminates the pressure to compete with other employees while planning and implementing a large scale changes. Adequate technical training and the development of effective skills is tempered by actual team experience and that feeling, on an individual level, that no one will be left behind. And this alone could mean the difference between success and failure. It becomes that allotment of time where loss of individual alignment with the goals of the project does not prevent its completion but actually allows it morph into a more suitable and useable program by the greatest number of people. This is where team goals override shortcomings and encourages problem solving techniques; techniques that might have been unknowable in a more controlled and regimented system.

Tracking Progress

In order to gage the success of any change, the various components that structured that change must/needs be identified … with goals clearly enumerated and dates set. Ideally these goals would be quantifiable so they can be measured. In this way, progress can be monitored throughout the process and areas of concern can be addressed right away. Allow room for the learning curve and for those inevitable alterations to the original plan … and most of all … allow room for people to be people (make mistakes, learn from them, and move on). And, of course, don’t forget to keep accurate records, too.

Anatomy … At the Finish Line

This is a step is not immediately obvious to most organizations. It is the anatomy of the project from its inception, through planning and implementation stages, and eventually to the end product. It addresses and identifies what you wanted to accomplish, how you planned to do that, and what you eventually ended up with. Did you accomplish your goals, fall short, or actually exceed your expectations? It identifies the personnel that became your advocates … and those who resisted the process. It allows you to look realistically at the things that worked for you and the things that did not. But most important … since change is inevitable … it gives you a new appreciation for the challenges you faced and allows you to adopt a new and better defined set of criteria for you next project; a new set of predictors for a shortened path to success.

If you enjoyed this article or have comments, twitter me and let me know! I’m at http://twitter.com/CSPrestonInc or you can visit my website http://www.customsoftwarebypreston.com.

Article written by Brett Miller – http://www.customsoftwarebypreston.com

In a tough economy, I think we can all agree that there are fewer potential buyers for any given product or service. Competition is tough, discounts are getting deeper and marketing budgets are shrinking. Sales people have a particularly difficult time because it seems like every contact they make is waiting to see what the economy is going to do … and until then the answer is inevitably NO. So what can you do?

Statistically speaking, there is strong evidence that buyers are still looking, and researching their next set of purchases … via the internet. But do you have the ability to identify who is out there and who is looking at your website?

Did you know…

• Technology is available to be able to convert visitor statistics to actual companies (beyond basic Web Analytics)?
• Information on visitors can include; website, company name, their address, city, state, ZIP, and their phone number?
• You can determine what their interests are by reviewing the web pages they viewed.
• There are websites that contain lists of email addresses and phone numbers of potential clients by company and by their title.

Just imagine what you might be able to do with powerful background information like that … as opposed to sitting, waiting, hoping that a buyer calls you!

Information like that can be tremendously helpful in improving marketing efforts (for new business) and providing better customer service for existing clients. If a company has visited pages where you advertised products X, it’s a foregone conclusion that they at least have some level of interest in that product. If an existing client is looking at help files on Topic Y, they are probably having a problem and may need some assistance. It may be appropriate for a customer service rep. to contact them to see if they need help. Of course there are many ways to use such up-to-date information. Just use your imagination.

However, keep in mind to use this information carefully as customers would not appreciate being spammed or approached in an non professional manner.

Some of the largest companies in the world are paying a premium to utilize this type of technology. But implementing such a program need not be that expensive. One such company offering this service is http://www.identifywebtraffic.com and are considerably less costly than the competition which makes this technology affordable for everyone. They simply identify a visitors, anyone of which might be your next big sale.

The advantage is clear; you have the opportunity to plan your approach before your competition is even aware a potential buyer exists. Even more exciting is the fact that a soft-approach b2b email/telemarketing campaign can easily be integrated into the program to enhance results. This would mean that leads turned over could be pre-qualified in multiple capacities. You certainly can’t beat that!

Make note; we do not suggest an immediate call to a visitor saying that you just saw them at your web site a few minutes ago. Professionalism and etiquette would dictate a softer approach a week or two after the visit … offering information and/or more in-depth product knowledge. But specifically without revealing knowledge of their visit so they do not feel uncomfortably spied upon.

Remember the old adage … “You snooze, You loose.” This technology is for those who don’t want to wait for the customer to make the first move … or maybe call someone else. This technology is quickly becoming embedded in the future of marketing and customer service. Now is the time to make it your own future too!

If you enjoyed this article or have comments, twitter me and let me know! I’m at http://twitter.com/CSPrestonInc or you can visit my website http://www.customsoftwarebypreston.com.

Article written by Brett Miller – http://www.customsoftwarebypreston.com

Measuring the effectiveness of your software developer(s) can be tricky. It’s a little like dealing with a serviceman where you put your trust in their abilities and knowledge, hoping that unnecessary replacement parts and labor time are not tacked on. So trust is an important factor, but not the only factor in this equation.

Initial Indicators; If you have already arrived at that point where you are beginning to question effectiveness … chances are it’s a sign something might be wrong. The challenge is that the risk indicators that caught your attention may not necessarily be the direct fault of your developer(s). There are many potential sources from which issues can appear in the development process … and all need to be understood and evaluated.

From my personal experience I would have to say the single most problematic issue is that the requirements being clearly understood and communicated. In years past as an independent contractor, I used to joke that a job posting would say one thing, the recruiter would explain it as another, the client would explain it as still another and (as you’ve probably already guessed) when I actually went to do the job … it turned out to be something different that any of the initial descriptions. Suffice it to say, in such cases productivity is sidelined while defining the work becomes the priority.

Programmer Qualifications; In a nutshell, effectiveness is a function of the programmer’s technical knowledge, practical experience, application exposure, and communication abilities. Within any particular venue, one programmer may be able to complete a task in one tenth the time of another. Yet in a different venue the positions of those same two technicians may be reversed. It is for this reason that I firmly believe a software development company is preferable to hiring individual programmers (to augment your staff). A good quality software development company should be experts at completing projects in the most effective way possible through clear communication and proper assignment of tasks based on skill.

Performance Evaluation; Evaluation of a software development program can also be tricky because so much is based on the knowledge of the individual doing those evaluations. For example, a code review is a perfectly acceptable way to determine if new code is documented and written in the same fashion as previous code. However, as obvious as this might sound, this evaluation method cannot be used by someone who isn’t familiar with coding.

Some Key Performance Indicators that may Help …

1. Is the overall attitude of the developer (programmer) positive? Does it seem like he (she) enjoys the job?

2. How quickly does he (she) grasp the requirements of a project and to communicate it to others?

3. During the requirements gathering phase does the software developer ask probing questions to help identify true needs? If not the scope of the project may change as development occurs.

4. Are the requirements thoroughly documented before development begins?

5. Does the developer present a clear plan of how the process will proceed? Does this include an estimate of the number of hours the project will take and when it should be complete?

6. Is progress being demonstrated throughout every phase of the project?

7. Are the estimates for hours and delivery dates you were given being met? If not, then why not?

8. How many bugs are caught in testing? Why did these occur?

9. Do you review the progress of each project to determine if something could have been improved?

10. Does the application work the way you intended it? Are there subtle things wrong?

Still Concerned?

If your responses to the questions and ideas presented above are not satisfactory, consider working with another developer. Or try outsourcing smaller projects to a software development company or another developer… evaluate each separately.

Effectiveness is critical to the livelihood of your business. You pay a premium for software development … your results should be exceptional!

If you enjoyed this article or have comments, twitter me and let me know! I’m at http://twitter.com/CSPrestonInc or you can visit my website http://www.customsoftwarebypreston.com.

Article written by Brett Miller – http://www.customsoftwarebypreston.com

For over ten years, as a software developer working as an independent contractor, I had the opportunity to work with quite a few contract employment agencies, or staffing companies … and probably a hundred different recruiters. No doubt staffing companies have their place and serve a useful purpose, as long as the parameters are narrow and extremely well defined. But unfortunately it is not usually the case.

Don’t get me wrong, there were times when it was a very worthwhile experience for me as well as for the end client. However, in my experience, there were more mismatches in the staff augmentation process than there were matches. Sometimes it seemed like the requirements were not well defined; sometimes the technical skills of those around me (other IT placements) were questionable … but most of the time I felt like the end client was overpaying, unnecessarily.

Let me share some thoughts with you about IT personnel and the procurement capabilities I have witnessed from various supposedly expert staffing specialists and/or recruiters.

1. Staffing Company Recruiters and Account Executives

a. Tremendous turn around within the staffing company for Recruiters and for Account Executives. In my experience the recruiters sometimes only stay for a few months

b. Recruiters / Account Executives of the staffing company usually are not technical. As an example, a few years ago when Visual Basic (VB) was so popular, a recruiter once asked me if I had VD experience … and it was not a slip of the tongue.

c. Communication can be a big challenge since many of these placement companies are now owned and operated from foreign countries.

2. Minimal knowledge of Contractor (Candidates) true abilities (by Staffing Company)

a. Many times staff augmentation company have never met the contractor candidate in person. Those that refer to themselves as being thorough have usually only met the candidate once.

b. Skills summaries are done in the Y/N format. Example; yes he has C#, yes he has more than 4 years experience … but there is little or no skill evaluation in a meaningful context.

c. References may be checked, but who doesn’t have a couple people that will vouch for them. Proficiency exams may be given, but such exams usually look to highlight certain major concepts to see what a candidate can remember of the top of their heads. These tests simply do not reflect a candidate’s true ability to do the job.

d. Once a candidate is placed, the staffing company only handles billing and may only speak to the candidate every few months. There is no follow up or follow through as far as competency or viability.

e. When the project ends the contractor will usually move on … so the skill sets are lost, as are any follow through opportunities and/or continuity.

3. Staffing company

a. No responsibility of performance of consultant or results of the project

b. They only make money when they place a candidate … so their interests are not quite the same as your own. There may be a tendency to overstate a person skill level.

c. 20% – 40% Mark up on what the contractor is actually getting paid. Offices, Advertising and Staff don’t come cheap.

d. Generally candidates come from internet postings on Dice, Craigslist, Monster, etc. These are all places you could investigate on your own.

e. The end client still has to perform its own interviews. And many times they find that the pre-screening process could have been better, usually resulting in an unacceptable candidate and wasted time.

f. Contractor usually receives inaccurate job descriptions. I used to joke that the job posting would say one thing, the recruiter would explain it as another, the client would explain it as even another and (you probably guessed it) when I went to actually do the job it turned out to be something even different

Again, staffing companies do have their place and in many cases serve a useful purpose. But you should spend at least as much time interviewing them and their personnel as you might if you were doing the personnel searches yourself. Yes, they are motivated to provide qualified IT personnel … but that motivation is skewed by the overriding requirement to place somebody/anybody, since that is how they make money.

Oh, by the way, none of the thoughts or experiences I have shared above even begin to address the problems of managing a project. One can only shudder at the thought of what it might be like if an unproven, unqualified contractor is hired. That’s a topic for another day.

The Three Little Words … That Can Change Your Business

Financial Systems Automation

Article written by Brett Miller – http://www.customsoftwarebypreston.com

Bookkeeping, accounting, and financial management have always been essential business functions. Until recently these key organizational elements have been, by necessity, a labor intensive process. A process that was not only costly, due to the expertise needed, but also very time consuming … and included the potential for human error and/or theft, therefore posing a high element of unnecessary risk.

Today’s informed business executives are increasingly leaning toward the ability of technology to automate the data collection process, streamline financial systems, and provide advance management progressions that simply were not possible in the past. Tasks that once took hours of manpower are now done instantly through custom financial software development. The decision making process, rather than being locked in tedium, is creatively enhance and capable of advanced administrative modeling and planning.

Organizations large and small are now able to take advantage of the latest technological breakthroughs in financial software and gain that highly sought-after performance edge required to compete in today’s markets. Here are just some of the more common functions that can be targeted for Automation of Financial Systems …

* Accounting Data Entries

* Accounting Receivables/Payables

* Auditing

* Bank Statements

* Bookkeeping Services

* Credit Management

* Financial Statements

* General Ledger Services

* Tax preparation

* Integration with CCH Tax Vendor data

Up-Side Economics

Imagine finding yourself instantly in control of all critical business data. Imagine … all of your production data, all of your sales data, all of your client data; all of your employee data; all of your supplier’s data, plus all of your shipping data … all presented in a format that allows for advanced administrative modeling, planning, and decision structuring at the highest, most informed level. Imagine too, that this whole information superhighway come to you with a substantially reduced contingent of labor.

Many of the functions performed by accounting staff, investment managers, tax preparers, banking consultants, and bookkeepers can be automated to a certain degree. This automation runs within your existing internal technology systems on a seamless basis, yet is well protected so only specifically designated managers and executives have access to sensitive financial and operational information.

Yes … Financial Systems Automation … are the three little word that are changing the face of business today … with highly professional and experienced software programming services being the key to successful implementation.

If you enjoyed this article or have comments, twitter me and let me know! I’m at http://twitter.com/CSPrestonInc or you can visit my website http://www.customsoftwarebypreston.com.

Article written by Brett Miller – http://www.customsoftwarebypreston.com

Your company is truly unique … as are the tools and processes you use to achieve your success.  Employing proprietary software specifically designed to support and enhance these unique processes is the next most logical step toward the sophistication that positions you ahead of the competition.

Critical to the successful implementation of this software is selecting the right web development company; a company that can truly understand the flow of your business and can design and implement the proper supporting software in a logical and cost effective way.

This article is a brief on the most important aspects of this critical software vendor selection process:

First Ask Yourself …

Before you can adequately evaluate a prospective software development vendor you need to throw some light on how well you and your organization have prepared to outsource a software development project.

• Are you able to detail the requirements of your web project? Have you put together a specific proposal request?
• Does your staff have the time / expertise to properly coordinate the project?
• Do you know what things must be incorporated … and what things to avoid?
• Can you define what project requirements are flexible? Cost, Delivery Date, Your Staff’s Time, Specific functionality?
• When your project is finished, what is the intended ROI … and how will you measure that?

Initial Web Development Vendor Qualification checks …

There is quite a bit of preliminary information that can be gleaned by simply reviewing a potential software development vendor’s website. Remember, their website is their window to the world and speaks volumes about what that firm may be able to do for you.

• First and foremost; is their presentation attractive?  Does it grab your attention?
• Is the presentation of written material logical, informative, thorough, clear, and compelling?
• Do they offer a synopsis of the types of projects in which they specialize?
• Has the company accumulated the right experiences to be able to deliver your project?
• Are all aspects of the website functioning properly?
• Do they offer confirmable success stories of applications that meet, or exceed, client needs?
• Does their contact information offer an address and phone number … or just an e-mail link?
• Do they develop long term relationships with their clients?

Now Select Three Vendor Candidates and Begin the Eliminations …

It should be noted that during the initial interviews every vendor will seem quite congenial and willing to please.  So, the only way to tell how well the various personalities will be able to work together is to probe … and probe deeply.  If a vendor shies away from clear and concise answers at this point … it shouldn’t be too difficult to imagine how communicative they might be if an issue were to surface in the middle of the development phase.

• First, have a confidentiality agreement in place before you reveal any project details.
• Do they clearly understand the scope of your project as you explain it to them?
• Did they offer insights into alternative technologies and approaches to solve your needs?
• Did they offer constructive or informative recommendations within your project specifications?
• Are they able to define the deliverables and pinpoint completion dates?
• What are their security policies?
• Is there an element of passion to their work and a dedication to producing results?
• Are they willing to give you a single point of contact, a project manager/coordinator?
• Do they have a well defined web development process?
• Can they describe potential project risks and offer alternatives with costing figures?
• If you had to describe the vendor’s business ethics … what would you say about them?
• After project completion … how does this vendor support the software system?
• What guarantees are offered … since timely delivery of error free software is so critical?

When reviewing project proposals be cautious that all functionality you need is included in the quoted price and will not be considered a scope change therefore costing more money.  If a quote is too low to believe … it probably is and there will be hidden charges ahead.  Trust is a critical component in selecting the right company.

Consider the approach of testing out a software company with small projects to start.  This will allow you to experience the quality of their work firsthand before taking on something too large with a company that you haven’t worked with before.

Crossing the T(s) and Dotting the I(s) …

Now that you have selected a vendor … it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty.  Yes, that’s right; we are talking about the contract phase of getting your project under way.  These are “must have” elements … in order to ensure there are no miscommunications between your company and your vendor.

• Rule 1, everything must be in writing including project description, deliverables, and dates.
• Rule 2, everything must be in writing including project description, deliverables, and dates.
• Rule 3, everything must be in writing including project description, deliverables, and dates.
• Enough said?

When you select a custom software company, you are more than just picking a vendor, you are choosing a long term business partner.  Your company’s success will be very closely tied to their abilities and dedication.  Proper due diligence and caution are critical components to the process, but there are many terrific companies out there, so don’t worry.

Good luck in your search!!!

If you enjoyed this article or have comments, twitter me and let me know! I’m at http://twitter.com/CSPrestonInc or you can visit my website http://www.customsoftwarebypreston.com.

Article written by Brett Miller – http://www.customsoftwarebypreston.com

Let’s face facts … dealing with today’s challenging global economy is all about positioning yourself and your company for maximum flexibility over the next few years.  Yes, there are those who have decided to hunker-down and wait out a slumping global economy with the underlying assumption that, one day, things will return to the status-quo.  However, most of the evidence seems to indicate our business climate is evolving … and will never be quite the same again.

Many industry leaders describe today’s business climate as unique and challenging, but it could also be described as a once in a lifetime opportunity to redefine the architecture of your business model.  So let’s jump ahead and simply accept that change is inevitable.  Let’s also accept that all change is initiated, in one way or another, by a catalyst.  And the catalysts that brought us into our current economic situation have already been well described by experts in business, finance, and government.  So what is left?

That question is … who will be the next “innovator”; setting the examples for how to be streamlined, flexible, cost effective, and savvy.  Who will blaze that path; the one all others will want to follow.  What I am saying is why wait till things get better then hope you can tag-along.  Be that innovator.  Forge those new paths … make your competition test their ability to follow … let them follow you.

Where am I going with this, you might ask?  Read on …

More Facts … technology is no longer the wave of the future.  It is here now and it is here to stay.  If your plans for the future involve technology, and they should, your business model needs the poise to recognize the value and potential of information already at hand.  Undoubtedly you already have a variety of operating systems, database structures, technologies, and programming languages, varying in age from quite current to outdated.  Each system, born of need, was designed to resolve challenges faced by your company within their own time frame.  Now add the technologies being used by your business partners with all their data, your suppliers and all their data, your shipping companies and all their data, plus your customers and all their data … and let’s not forget web generated data and market resourcing.  So now you can begin to see the incredible volume of information that is available to you.

My point … opportunities abound to improve your business process and improve integration.  It is the unification of techno-business applications wherein the usability of existing data, from varied sources, is combined to enhance performance, reduce costs, and streamline operations.

Fully implemented, no other single business-model transformation is its equal.  But system integration and improved business processing don’t just happen.  You need rock hard experience in advanced business modeling.  You need experts who can work in a wide variety of applications and technologies.  You need to be on the forefront of today’s technological innovations and you need to begin now.  But even more than all that … you need a web development and software company that can bring all these skills, and more, to the table.  Professional developers can help you build the right solutions for your needs, help you increase sales, help you become more streamlined, make your websites work smarter, and save you money.

Time to Streamline and Save Some Money … Unlike an in-house IT staff … a professional software technologist (company) reduces overhead.  There are no fulltime salaries, no benefit packages to formulate and pay, little or no space and/or resource allocations to make, no attendance issues, no additional management personnel is needed and best of all … when the job is done … there are no further expenditures of any kind unless you call for and request it.  Yes, you can keep your in-house staff, if you have one, and use them to help coordinate and process functionality under the direction and expertise of the technologist.  But you need not create any additional staffing positions or the ongoing costs that come with those positions.

There is yet another advantage.  A contracted relationship with project specialists is built on providing you, not only with the job-specific expertise your project requires, but also with pre-scheduled deliverables.  In other words, the money saving value of a project completed … on time … and within the prescribed budget.  How is powerful is that as a money saving concept?  Do I have your attention yet?

Your Success Revisited … Leading companies in the U.S. are already utilizing software development firms to strengthen their core competencies, but it can be tough to choose the right partner. You need someone you can trust, someone who will truly understand your individual needs, someone with the flexibility to partner-up with you … and a vested interest in providing the capacity that will ultimately insure the greatest value.

Proprietary Software can really compliment your business processes, allow your company to achieve new levels of success, and help you redefine your company in this challenging economy. Professionally generated software applications automate and improve business processes, communication channels, data integrity and promote stronger revenue streams.

Need I say more?

If you enjoyed this article or have comments, twitter me and let me know! I’m at http://twitter.com/CSPrestonInc or you can visit my website http://www.customsoftwarebypreston.com.

Article written by Brett Miller – http://www.customsoftwarebypreston.com

Today’s constantly evolving business environment has changed the way companies envision their opportunities to promote efficiency and productivity.  With each born from direct need, most organizations use a variety of operating systems, database structures, technologies, and programming languages. … not to mention those introduced into the equation by your business partners.  But recognition that connecting these silos of valuable background data about your company, its products, its vendors, and finally its customers is a powerful and cost effective way to improve overall performance.

It is called system integration … and I know you have heard the term.  System integration is about the unification of business applications and information to maximize the usability of data already in hand. It is the parallel link that ties you and all your data, to your business partners and all their data, to your suppliers and all their data, to your shipping companies and all their data, to your customers and all their data … and then into the most functional and productive format possible.  But it is even more than that; it is the creation of a coordinating structure that puts further advanced strategic objectives at your fingertips and under your control.

Many software development companies specialize in this field and can help you envision such a system from the top down, increasing flexibility, saving valuable time, reducing costs, and improving profitability.  They can bring many years of professional expertise, industry knowledge, and practical experience to the table.  They take the pulse of what seems like normal everyday activity within your company and then implement and deliver customized computer applications that streamline operations, make maximum use of existing data, and meet a wide variety of user needs.  Moreover, current business models continually show that streamlining software also streamlines the business practices behind it.

Gaining efficiencies, wherever possible, is a necessary part of the game plan for survival in today’s economy. And system integration is a great place to gain efficiencies, to take better control over business processes, and to advance strategic objectives.

Work with experts.  Work with an experienced systems integration and software development company that can help you design your future right now.

Article written by Brett Miller – http://www.customsoftwarebypreston.com

The world of software development and use is wide-ranging and complicated — from the electronic specialties of the Internet — to the intricacies of connectivity between multiple software programs — to the implementation of custom designs offered by worldwide software developers — it is difficult to know which avenue is the best for your company to pursue. Probably one of the most commonly posed questions about software development is: should your company hire an in-house full-time staff, or is it more advisable to outsource to a custom software development specialist? It is not an easy question since there are obvious advantages to either approach.

In-house employment gives you full direction and control over every aspect of the process — but do you have the expertise to direct such a process? And the time? Plus your cost calculations must include more than just the associated salaries. Other cost factors that must be considered include qualifying and hiring the right talent, salaries and employment taxes, benefits including health care costs, workmen’s comp and liability, and lets not forget employee workspace, equipment and all the associated cost that span the length of the project.

When a company out-sources their custom application development needs, they are not only eliminating the costs of one or more employees, but they are opting for a specialist … where the expertise they need is already in place. The first major advantage is the ability to begin the project almost immediately … and time is money. Typically software development companies will quote rates and timeframes in advance, plus either meet or exceed their deadlines giving you the ability to better define and control costs. They are highly educated, industry-savvy professionals with instant access to the experience and expertise for any given software challenge or requirement.

Whichever you choose; whether you opt for in-house employment or outsourced your development project, there are many considerations.

Custom Software by Preston is offering a free evaluation of your software needs to help you develop the best and most comprehensive plan for your future growth and profitability. Contact us at 773-549-2505.

Article written by Brett Miller – http://www.customsoftwarebypreston.com

Many organizations are being enticed by the promise of short-term financial savings and long-term staffing elasticity anticipated through offshore development. However, it is prudent to remain cautionary before taking that leap abroad with your next project. There are pitfalls that exist with offshore development, and those pitfalls may cost you more than you are willing to pay. Understanding the inherent challenges (and potential benefits) of these efforts will permit you to make the right decision for your development needs.

The following projects generally do not lend themselves to be good offshore candidates:

• Significant end-user involvement during the lifecycle.
• Integration with other systems.
• Undefined or unclear business rules.

The following projects usually lend themselves well to offshoring:

• Clearly defined objectives and project specifications.
• Modularized tasks (black box of functionality).
• Industry neutral tasks (understanding business is not critical to successful task completion).
• Flexible delivery dates (as more renditions of betas may be necessary).

In order to make an offshore project successful the following needs to happen:

• Users must be willing to make a much larger commitment of time for communication.
• Requirements must be very clearly defined.
• Testing procedures must be more thorough.
• The offshore team must have strong communication skills in your home language.
• There must be a proven track record of success with many American companies.

It is common to overestimate the potential savings and underestimate the higher project failure rate when evaluating “offshoring”. Offshore labor rates that are lower than those in the U.S. can be a blind trap. Cultural differences, plus language and communication problems can become major issues that thwart project success. We suggests a hybrid approach. The solution is to offshore those portions of the project that are clearly defined, while the onshore team handles the more grey areas of analysis, design, and defining specifications. It takes advantage of the best of both worlds, allowing for full coordination, project control, and time management onshore, while accessing the reduced-cost offshore labor pool where it will proffer the most savings.

Now more than ever business success means utilizing technologies and resources more cost effectively. Knowing how to get there is the key to profitability. Software development companies can bring their highly qualified staff and industry experience to your development project and  provide you with the energy and capacity to achieve your goals. Plus, they can assist you in analyzing what may and what may not be appropriate to take offshore.

Want more info to help you decide if you should outsource your application development? http://cspreston.wordpress.com/2009/05/14/outsource/