Custom Softwares
What are the indications that my business needs custom software?
Some indications that your business could do better with custom software are:
- Having to reenter the same, or similar data into multiple software applications.
- Producing large amount of printed material, where supply of data could be substituted with electronic means.
- Sending regular notifications to your clients manually.
- Keeping your website up-to-date by hand with data obtained from software applications or documents.
- Doing tedious calculations on regular intervals to get information out of your business activities.
What control do we have over the project?
You will have ability to keep close control over the project. Our assigned Project Manager will be your single point-of-contact for all issue resolution, and will work closely with your guidelines.
How do we keep ourselves informed about progress?
We will send you regular project status reports. We use a combination of pre-determined update schedules (normally email) and ad-hoc meetings (usually tele-conferences, or live chat).
What contracts and agreements do you sign?
We sign NDAs before initial discussions, and final contracts are drawn out in detail.
We are normally bound by the legal framework of our client’s country and are a registered organization in India.
How do you assure confidentiality?
- We sign NDAs and Confidentiality Agreements as required by you.
- All our employees are full-time employees, and are bound by the company Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure clauses.
- Additionally, for sensitive projects, we create isolated cells disconnected from any public network.
- At a practical level, all CD-Writers need authorization for usage. Internet uploads larger than a threshold also need authorization.
Can we really afford custom software?
If you are buried in paperwork…if you have to call your customers back to research simple requests… if producing meaningful management reports takes hours (or worse – days)…you probably can’t afford NOT to have a custom application for your business.
If done right, custom software will soon pay for itself thru increased productivity and, perhaps most importantly, a major reduction of job stress. Every business has something about it that makes it unique. More often than not, pre-packaged software is simply lacking a critical feature that you need, or has so many features you don’t need that it’s too complicated for your employees to use.. Perhaps the way you do business is so unique, or your product or service is so specialized, that there is nothing commercially available to help you run your business.
With Polytechs custom software applications, your business is served properly. Plus, there are no licensing costs and you have total control over the software program.
Who owns the code?
You do. Polytechs is in the business of developing custom software for businesses. We do not market or sell any software, including what we develop for you. Our contracts give you explicit ownership rights and we relinquish all claims to any copyrights. This gives you the peace of mind knowing that your valuable trade secrets will not end up working for your competitor.
Over the years, there have been a few instances in which a client’s former/terminated employee has contacted us and asked us to develop a program "like" his former employer’s. In each case, we have refused and immediately contacted our client to report an attempt to steal trade secrets.
We know that developing custom software is a long-term, confidential commitment for both of us. As your business grows and changes, you will want to add more features and capabilities to your custom software, and we want you to feel secure in allowing us the privilege of performing the work.
How long will it take to get our custom software?
This depends on the nature of your business or project. We can dive right into simpler projects and complete them rapidly. Larger projects take longer, and usually call for a development plan with a phased approach that keeps projects on time and within budget.
- Phase 1: Analysis – Functional Requirements
This phase defines the scope of the project. We conduct in-depth interviews with your managers and end users. This information is condensed into a bulleted Functional Requirements Document, which lists all the high-level programmatic functions your enhancement will perform.
- Phase 2: Design - Functional Specifications
The Design Phase translates each Functional Requirement into an expanded series of screen shots showing our proposed design. This allows you to "see" the program before it's actually coded, and gives you complete control over the look, feel, and work flow. No surprises at delivery.
- Phase 3: Construction – Programming
This is the actual coding of the enhancement. The Project Manager closely oversees the progress of the programmers to insure that all Functional Requirements are met, and the Functional Specifications are fulfilled. Each module is sent to the testing department upon completion.
- Phase 4: Test & Document
Prior to delivery, the entire enhancement is tested together within the system. This ensures that all modules work properly, and that all required functionality is present and working as intended. All enhancements are documented, and an end-user manual is prepared.
- Phase 5: Delivery & Deployment
Your custom enhancement is delivered to you on CD-ROM. Polytechs then works with you to insure that the solution is properly installed and functioning properly, and that all end users are adequately trained and supported. We stand behind our work!
Who will support us?
We will, of course! We’re always here to consult and provide support. We have been developing custom software since 2010. Unlike some work-from-home consultants waiting for their next real job, we are here to stay.
Since custom software evolves and grows with the needs of your company, we are here for you. We know that as internal demand grows for more reports, more data capture, you need more support from your software developer. We take pride in the long term working relationship we have with our clients.
However, we also want you to know that you are not forever dependent on one software development company. All our projects use common, readily available Microsoft tools or open source software. Since you own the source code, you decide who takes you to the next level. We certainly hope it’s us!
