Alas, Poor Bob

“Bob died.” More than once in my career, I’ve heard that statement. Ken, Bob, Frank – few remember the names of these software developers who were hired to do a job, usually for a company who really didn’t understand the magnitude of the system their business required. So they went with either the cheapest solution or maybe the […]

Database Solutions: A Campaign Perspective (Part 4)

We’re back again this week with Jane Smith’s campaign for City Council. “But didn’t she already win?” you’re asking yourself. Yes, but she has one more important task before being sworn in – besides writing her swearing-in speech, of course. In both business and politics, understanding why a certain outcome occurred is a critical part […]

Database Solutions: A Campaign Perspective (Part 3)

Over the past few weeks, we’ve taken a look at Jane Smith’s campaign for City Council. We were there when she started collecting and compiling all of her relevant election data into a single database, and last week we looked at the various moving parts that make campaigns unique. This week we’ll take a look […]

Database Solutions: A Campaign Perspective (Part 2)

Last time we checked in with Jane Smith, she was about to launch her campaign for City Council. She’d compiled all of her data into a single database and was ready to file the paperwork that would formally announce her candidacy. As I said last week, this is the equivalent of a grand opening celebration: […]

Database Solutions: A Campaign Perspective (Part 1)

I’m going to go out on a limb with today’s blog and say it’s unlikely that data management is the most exciting part of your business. I could be wrong, but I doubt it. Potential customers won’t be wooed by a glimpse into your in-house bar code management database, your top-notch order processing software, or […]

Five Common Misconceptions about Custom Business Software

The decision to develop and integrate a custom software solution into a business is a big one. The cost in both dollars and work hours is not insubstantial, but the benefits of a well-developed system are immense. Unfortunately, many business owners and managers hold beliefs about custom software that prevent them from moving forward with […]

Could Your Custom Software Development Team Win a Championship?

No matter how many superstars you have on your roster, it takes a team to win an NBA National Championship. The same is true for custom software development. Basketball teams have six crucial roles that must work together to consistently secure victory: a point guard, a shooting guard, a small forward, a power forward, a center, […]

Can you afford NOT to Invest in Mobile Software?

A short history of the well-equipped mobile worker might look like this: Pagers Pager and cell phones Cell phone and notebook computer Cell phone, notebook computer, and PDA Smartphone* (including tablets)   With almost 150 million smartphone users in the United States, mobile workers are carrying around less equipment and able to get more work […]

3 Big Reasons Your Business Needs Custom Business Software

A few months ago I met a woman who had worked on some very large software projects at Kennedy Space Center.  When she asked me what we did and I replied that we were a custom software development company, writing custom business software for over 20 years, she asked why we even existed.  Her mindset, […]

6 Questions that avoid disastrous custom software partnerships

Do you have too many projects and too few IT resources, but you don’t want to select a software development vendor because you’ve heard too many horror stories about projects that are months or years late and $1000’s over budget?  How can you be sure you find a software development firm that will deliver your […]