Custom programming and software development: database and Internet applications, office and industrial systems since 1977 |
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Inquiring about work or projects |
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If the proposed work or project includes any proprietary data, methods, or ideas, you may want to consider an initial disclosure agreement. This agreement would represent your request for us to examine your confidential information, and our acknowledgement of its confidential nature. Initial Contact Initially, we need only a very brief description of the work or project you have in mind, by telephone conversation, fax or email. This need only include enough detail for us to decide if we can help you or if we need to point you toward another source. Or, if you have written specifications, descriptions, or a Request for Proposal, please send them. Data If your project will include existing data such as an inventory or customer file we will make arrangements with you for the transfer. For large files we may need only a small sample of records. We can read data in most any format. Real data is often extremely helpful for analyzing a project. Initial Consultation We may need to prepare some specifications of our own, including diagrams and prototype screens. Unless this consultation becomes extensive, there is no charge for the work required to accurately define a project. Costs and Terms We can work by the hour at our standard rate of $80 or we can create a project estimate. Project estimates usually require 50% down payment, due when a contract is signed. The remainder is usually due when you accept the completed work. Depending on the nature of the project, you may own the software or we may own it. Ownership is negotiated based on whether or not we see a potential market that we can address. In this case development expense is lower for you. All of these details would be included in a formal contract. Schedules and Deadlines If time is an important factor, we can guarantee completion within a negotiated timeframe. Large projects may be broken down into phases with a completion date assigned to each phase. Guiding and Monitoring the Development Process You can take part in the ongoing development process by using our FastTrack capability. |
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