User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is essential for the successful implementation of any bespoke system and relies on the end user – often the client – investing sufficient time into the process. So what should you – the client – be expected to do, or is this simply an excuse that developers use to get you to debug their code?
Archive for the ‘Bespoke software’ Category
The importance of User Acceptance Testing
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010Software horror stories and escrow
Tuesday, October 26th, 2010We are talking to a potential client this week, who had bought a software package from a reputable software company around 18 months ago. Unfortunately the supplier has gone into administration, so the client approached the administrators about buying the source code. This would allow them to continue using the package, whilst sourcing a provider for technical support and ongoing changes. The administrator said they could have the source code, but it would cost them several thousand pounds! So what should you do and perhaps more importantly how do you avoid this happening to you?
Bespoke software allows you to have your cake and eat it
Friday, September 24th, 2010Bespoke software can fill the gap between off-the-shelf solutions and your business requirements. Off-the-shelf solutions often provide most of the functionality businesses need, but often they find that their business processes don’t quite match the generic processes these solutions provide. A good example is where businesses use a standard accounting solution like Sage Line 50 or QuickBooks that doesn’t match their sales order processing. Bespoke software can fill this gap, enabling you to take advantage of the lower costs associated with these types of applications and investing in the specific needs that these solution don’t provide.
When everything goes pear shaped can you rely on your supplier?
Tuesday, September 21st, 2010It is easy to perform well when everything thing is going well and you aren’t under pressure, but how does your business function when things go wrong? A client said to me several years ago that she would hate to run a software business, because clients never appreciate it when everything works, but when it goes wrong the pressure can be enormous. I don’t entirely agree with her statement, as I think that most businesses come under the same pressure whether they are a courier, event organiser or just about anything else that is service based.
Appearances can be deceptive
Sunday, August 15th, 2010We tendered for a relatively small project last Autumn, but were not successful. We tried to find out why we were not selected, but the client said although they were impressed with our approach and subsequent proposal they had decided to go with someone else. So you can image my surprise when the company contacted me over the Easter weekend, saying they were having some issues with their software developers and would we be prepared to enter discussions with them. I said that although I had reservations – based on past experiences in similar situations – I would be more than happy to see if we could (a) act as an intermediary or (b) take over the software development (their preferred option).
Understanding the total cost of ownership
Friday, March 19th, 2010The software industry has managed to create a wide variety of business models that inevitably create confusion when deciding on the most appropriate solution. These range from open source, cloud computing, boxed & turnkey solutions, sector specific and bespoke solutions to name but a few.
The importance of good business analysis and a written specification
Thursday, March 18th, 2010During a recent conversation with a prospective client they said that they couldn’t understand why we charge for a specification. Their business is squarely placed within the marketing sector, where the supplier has to prepare their pitch and involves a significant amount of work on their behalf, before being considered for the contract. In reality we don’t charge for an initial quotation; the proposal will include a fixed fee for a business analysis, preparation of a specification and estimated costs for development work. A couple of times in recent months prospective clients have seen this as a barrier and expressed reservations about committing to the business analysis and preparation of a specification and perhaps this is a sign of the times.
