What is Custom Software?

Increasingly, we rely on software in our business and our personal life. If at all possible, it's best to buy software right out of the box. Often, we don't even care how the software works. For example, we use tax preperation programs. The designers have to be the tax experts. As users, we don't care about the details as long as its correct.

Sometimes, you need the program to automate a business practive you have been doing for a long time. Often you are using spreadsheets and files to make the process work. In this case, you, the customer, can clearly define the requirements and the software can be built. This makes an excellent candidate for a custom design.

Other times, a company will produce a product, and part of that product requires some software. Several products require a web interface to make them competitive. Sometimes a web site controls the hardware. You might collect data about a manufacturing process and need software to analyse the data and present it to the user. We can work with you on that product. One of our specialties is helping debug the entire process, not just the software.

You might be using a program now, but the author is no longer available. You can continue to use the software, but any change causes problems.  This also means that how the business is run is restricted by the way the program already works. One of our specialties is taking such software, working with the client to see how it is currently used, and then modifing it or adding new function.

What alternatives are there for new software development? Certainly, some products require having a software and testing staff. They need to thoroughly understand the business and the product. This is preferable if the software is the entire product, and it will need maintenance and continuous releases. Even in this case, you might want to limit the permenant hiring, and use temporary help for the initial, high energy phase.

Otherwise, you can hire a firm to do the entire project. In the case of a large project, this might make sense. For a typical small project, using a single programmer who works hand in hand with your staff might make more sense. This is what J HIRSCHMAN Technologies does best.

How does it work

We write software using Microsoft's versions of C#, Visual Basic (VB), C++, C, Access or EXCEL. We can work with some Borland Technlogies. If we are modifing an existing project, we require some form of source code. Typically, the project is available somewhere. If not, the project may have to be rewritten. That gives us the opportunity to use current technologies. The old software acts as a model to help define the project.

In the case of a current process, we start by observing what the process is today. We will work with you and your people to understand the process flow. Then, we design a basic flow and the various forms. We will produce a document that will usually include a cost estimate. Details can then be added to the documentation if they are known. Otherwise, we usually start the project with a model containing no function. This allows you to see how the pages or screens will look and allows us to describe the functions of the various controls. Lastly, we begin adding the functions and reviewing with you, to build the complete project. By working closely with you, we can build exactly what is required.

For more information contact us.