Rough cost for program (1 Viewer)

[Lonemascot]

Hi guys. I have been attempting to create a database for myself and through my ever expanding ideas and ambition have decided that what I 'want' to do is clearly outside of my skill set. So rather than learning a load of stuff to probably only implement it half as well and take twice it as long as a pro to do it I have decided to pay someone to do it, but I'd like a rough idea of what it might cost just so I don't get my pants pulled down!

I want to combine the following:
•Client contact information
•Email and postal Campaign management
•Email log
•Call log
•Opening of quotes using word or excel templates.
•Turning those quotes into invoices with the press of a button
•Tracking these sales from enquiry through to payment
•Reports and charts displaying sales history

I've looked at online crm and they do the client contact bit well but the sales side is either set up for stores selling the same stuff or for services which I can't utilise.

I'm a builder and there just doesn't seem to be anything on the market that's suitable so I'm forced to develop my own program. Any guidance is much appreciated.

Jon

 

[CJ_London]

There are a number of sites out there which put people like yourself in touch with developers

This is a link to one:

https://www.elance.com/?rid=1GEG3 which can be found as a link in Access 2010.

Judging from what is offered, I can't speak for the quality of what you will get however!

I have seen small developer businesses quote £2-3k as a very rough guide when comparing the benefits of a bespoke system v off the shelf. My guess is your requirements could cost a bit more.

Would recommend you draw up a more detailed spec, find a number of developers and get a proper quote - otherwise it is a bit like someone asking you to quote for a conservatory, not sure how big, what the ground is like etc. - best you can do is say minimum of this, could be as much as that.

 

[Pat Hartman]

www.guru.com is another alternative. Most of the folks on elance are from the far east and can work for a significantly lower rate than Americans and Brits. Just remember Caveat Emptor when accepting a low-ball offer from someone not located in your home country. The people you will be working with won't be fluent in English and won't have the general business knowledge you should expect from the Americans or British plus they will be novices themselves trying to gain experience or possibly working in Access because they can't get anything "better".

If you go this route, talk via Skype to get a feel for language skills and general business knowledge and see if you can determine if the developer actually likes developing Access apps or if he's doing it because he hasn't found anyting else.

When asking for bids, ask people to estimate hours/days as well as cost and don't insist on a fixed price bid. My final piece of advice is to use the payment service provided by elance or guru because it gives both parties some protection. You pay in advance but the developer doesn't actually get the money until you accept the product and you will have to agree to mediation to resolve disputes.

 

[Lonemascot]

Thanks guys. I knew it was a bit of a "how long is a piece if string" question but I had no idea whether what I want is just a case of tying together code from pre written program's or whether its a full rewrite which would take time.

I have written up a detailed spec and i will want to use someone UK based or who a very firm grasp of the language at least.

Do you think anyone would be willing to develop this as a business opportunity? What I mean by that is build the program for a low cost and then together we sell it to other tradesmen with further opportunity to make minor adjustments to customise it to their quoting styles? There does seem to be a gap in the market for a good sales tracker/crm for tradespeople. This time next year we will be millionaires Rodney!

 

[gemma-the-husky]

part of the problem IS marketing solutions. what seems a good idea to some users does not always work for others - so you need a lot of flexibility. having a good idea helps in the first place. you also need some consideration of licensing code to prevent copying, etc. finally you need to consider whether you need to maintain/support the application.

some things are much more complex than you imagine - eg turning quotes into invoices ..... involves lots of considerations.

obviously an app that can be sold many times over is more viable, as it shares development costs among a larger number of people.

Pat said 2-3K. My initial reaction was probably in excess of that - but I expect a lot of developers have something that could be used as a starting point.

 

[NigelShaw]

Thanks guys. I knew it was a bit of a "how long is a piece if string" question but I had no idea whether what I want is just a case of tying together code from pre written program's or whether its a full rewrite which would take time.

I have written up a detailed spec and i will want to use someone UK based or who a very firm grasp of the language at least.

Do you think anyone would be willing to develop this as a business opportunity? What I mean by that is build the program for a low cost and then together we sell it to other tradesmen with further opportunity to make minor adjustments to customise it to their quoting styles? There does seem to be a gap in the market for a good sales tracker/crm for tradespeople. This time next year we will be millionaires Rodney!

Hi,

i see that you use the term "other tradesmen". What trade is you are in? im in shopfitting and i too looked at something. i was 60ish% into an application but ditched it.

have you considered Clarity by Touch systems? thats why i ditched my app. for the money, well worth it believe me


nigel

 

[Lonemascot]

Hi Nigel

I run a general builders but we specialise in EPDM flat roofing. As im sure you are aware, no 2 building jobs are the same and trying to price it up using a pre defined list of materials and labour charges is not always possible. which is why a lot of the online CRMs wont work for me. I have contacted a chap callled Dennis McDermott who said he would price up what I need so will see how that much comes in at.

In the meantime, I will download Clarity on a demo basis and see how it goes before I splash the cash. Thanks for the link.

 

[Lonemascot]

First impressions are good, loads of customisable features.

How much did you pay for your copy? I've got to wait for someone to call me back.