Custom software is a computer program tailored to your specific needs. At 7MCS, we also tailor the integration process to your needs, to minimize the impact of changes on your current business flow. We might start by automating a few of your current spreadsheets (don't worry, they can even look the same), then move toward reducing data entry tasks and redundant steps, improve the data integrity and so on. Sure, we'll be working to a plan, but the plan can be modified as needed, and it doesn't have to all happen at once. The program will have your business' logo and terminology, and can be changed to suite your needs as your business changes. Since it was created for your business, you don't have to purchase licenses for each machine or pay for monthly maintenance contracts. We have some customers using our software for many years without spending an additional penny. You pay only for updates and modifications you request. Custom software is like having a house custom built to your needs, where as ready-made software is like purchasing a modular home; cheaper, built for the 'Average' person, and it is not meant to be modified. Even worse, it comes in the mail with no help in hooking it up and tech support barely speaks english. But it IS cheaper, maybe...
Would I be better off buying ready-made (or "shrink-wrapped") software?
Do you know exactly what you need, now and in the future? Do you mind the chaos associated with switching your whole business over to a new way of doing things all at once? Are your software needs pretty standard, and similar to at least a few thousand other companies (like basic payroll)? If so, you way want to consider a 'ready-made' program. See How do I find if there is a ready-made program that will meet my needs? If, however this doesn't sound like the way you want to go, custom software may be the long term best solution for you.
How do I find if there is a ready-made program that will meet
A good software program with a solid reputation should not
be hard to find; it should find you. If you have been searching the
internet trying to find something that meets your needs, but are having
no luck, don't waste your time. You wouldn't wan't to run your business
on a bad program or even a good one with little or no support behind
it. A good program with a solid company behind it will either be well
known in your industry or you'll at least see plenty of advertisements
for it. Here are some things to consider in your search:
Write down what you need; now and for the future.
Divide the list into "Must have...", "Should have..." and "Would be
nice if it had..."
What are the advantages of custom software over ready-made programs?
Competitive edge: Your competitors can buy the same ready-made software you can. If you think your way of doing business is better than theirs, software created to the way YOU work can give you an edge. Maybe it is more personalized service, better tracking, customized orders or invoices, or anything that gives you that edge over your competition, a custom program is the only way to assure that your software tool stays yours alone, and stays working as you want it to.
How do I decide who to have develop my software
With today's software tools, most anyone CAN write a
program, or set up a database, spreadsheet or web site, but not
everyone has the background and experience to create something you
should trust the operation of your business to. What the books and
seminars don't teach is the underlying principles of good software
design and ergonomics (making the software easy to use). Most
universities have a 4 year degree program called Computer Science,
which teaches these underlying principles. Even with the computer
science background and knowledge of the development tool (like Microsoft
Access, Macromedia Flash etc.) it is important that your software
developer have the communication skills and business sense necessary to
deliver what you want in a timely fashion, and to take care of you
needs in the future. For projects costing under $20,000, you are
usually dealing with an individual who may or may not be part of a
company offering a variety of services. In this case, your search for a
developer becomes more like an interview. Here are some questions you
may want to ask:
What about hardware?
Computers are getting very specialized these days. While we understand many aspects of computer hardware (and have even built a few from scratch), we usually leave the hardware work to people who keep current on the latest in networking, server configurations etc. We certainly can make recommendations on the basic configuration, auto ID ...equipment, barcode scanners, touch screens etc., and even guide you if you want to set up your own small networks. If your needs are larger, we can recommend people we have worked with before, or you can find your own. We prefer to stick to doing one thing very well, and not pretend to be the best at everything.
We have a secretary who knows MS Access, why do we need 7MCS?
If one of your employees knows the basics of MS Access,
they may be able to work with us on the project; setting up reports
tables etc. At very least, you may want 7MCS give you an assessment of
the database they create before you put it into use. Knowing how to use
Access is quite different from being able to develop a reliable custom
program using Access (see " How do I decide who to have develop my software? ")
Why is "support" important if the program is working ok?
Theoretically, a program that works well should keep
working well if nothing else changes. So why does Microsoft spend so
much on support and always have those "service releases" even on mature
products? Software is very complex, and it is very hard to test every
facet of it. Additionally, problems can also be caused by installing
some other program or update, changing an operating system, hardware
changes and many other things that nobody can foresee. If the person
who wrote your custom program is no longer available to help you, you
might not be able to get the problem fixed, or a new feature added. As
well, it is not always cheap or easy to find somebody willing to pick
up where someone else left off. We have been in business far longer than
most custom developers, so there is a very good chance we'll be there when
you need us. We have been taking care of many of our clients for over 10
years now, supplying modifications, new reports, updates or whatever else
they may need. Since we don't require a maintenance contract, we don't cost
you anything until you need us.
I'm ready to get started, how do we move forward?
Every situation is different, but in the last 16 years, I would say the majority of our projects go like this:
How much is this going to cost?
This very important question needs a worthy answer, so I'll break it apart a bit:
A service vs. a product: A ready-made program may cost less on paper, but may take more time to research, learn, and adapt to. We try to design software to the way you already work, so there is little, if any, disruption to your work flow.
"Typical" sized projects:
Find out the cost of hiring a person full-time to do the job you want us to perform (annual salary would be a minimum of $60K plus benefits). Next, figure out what it would cost to keep them available for support and updates after the project is done (if they would be willing to agree to such – likely they will program in 'job security'). Remember, if they get bored and go work for someone else, you have lost them. Do you know that you can implement the changes they produce as fast as they produce them, or will they be waiting around because you can't put new software on-line during your month-end crunch? Now, keep this cost in mind when we start discussing the cost of 7mcs doing the project for you.
Modifications and repairs to an existing database are the hardest to predict. A well-designed database should be fairly simple to figure out, and may take only a few hours to modify. A larger request with a poorly-designed database could cost as much as starting from scratch.
Simple databases with plain forms and reports can average $2,000 to $5,000.
Complex databases with automated features, unattended operation, interfaces to other programs etc. can range from $5,000 to $20,000 or more depending on what is desired.
The largest factors influencing the cost are:
• the amount of work you expect the database to do automatically (automation)
• interfaces to other software (like outputting data to Excel, Quickbooks, email programs etc.)
• how "picky" you tend to be about colors, wording, report layouts etc.
• how well you can communicate what you want
We take deadlines seriously, so if you need it in 3 weeks, we will either tell you up-front that we can't do it, or you'll have it in 3 weeks. We maintain a "resource reserve" to handle time-critical jobs. This is part of our customer support philosophy that comes from taking care of large manufacturing lines that absolutely cannot be "down". If you need a special report for an auditor that is coming tomorrow, you'll be glad to hear that we aren't booked solid for the next two weeks.
Where or what is Seven Mountains?
There is an area of central Pennsylvania, and another in Bergen Norway known as "Seven Mountains." A Google search will also bring up some biblical references, but the "Seven Mountains" we are associated with are those found in the Allegheny range of central Pennsylvania. The panoramic picture at the top of this site was taken about 5 miles from from our office, and is where most locals agree the center of the region is. Nobody knows exactly which of the many ridges in the area are the 7 that make up Seven Mountains, as a matter of fact, some even speculate the name came from the seven mile long road that used to cross the mountains from Milroy to Potters Mills (the new highway is only 6 miles). All that is known for sure is that most of the official signs that say "Seven Mountains" are located within a couple of miles of where I took the above picture.