Today's computer languages and design tools provide a powerful and efficient means of rapid application development. What used to take years can now be accomplished in several months or less. Accordingly, custom software is now very affordable.

WHY GO THROUGH ALL THE TROUBLE?

Many companies, even today, still have facets of their business that have not been automated because an "off-the-shelf" software solution does not yet exist. Other companies have struggled to modify their business practices to conform with the strict requirements imposed by an "off-the-shelf" software for applications for which they were never meant. All the aforementioned scenarios will have a negative impact on the business and result in lost revenue.

Custom software is tailored for your particular business. Often, only minor employee procedural changes are required and in some cases, none at all. It is also an investment in your company's future. Microsoft Windows has established itself as the de facto standard in desktop operating system environments and due to their current market share, it is very unlikely that this will change in the near future. And beyond the near future, today's computer languages all incorporate four digit date support and will continue to function normally well into the next century.

Basically it all comes down to cost. In the past, only the very large companies with deep pockets could justify the expense. Today, it can be cost justified by a business of almost any size.

RECOUP SOME/ALL OF THE DEVELOPMENT COST

If other similar businesses also stand to benefit from the proposed application and the effect causes no direct competitive disadvantage to your business, Maritime IT Solutions will most likely be willing to discount the development cost in exchange for joint ownership of the product and sole marketing rights. In such a case, your business would receive a royalty check at the end of each quarter in which the system was resold.

KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU WILL BE GETTING

The process starts with a comprehensive analysis of your current business practices. The next step is the design phase where the data requirements are determined, data entry screens are laid out and report formats are defined. The purpose of the design phase is to produce a functional specification which details every aspect of the system, from security and features, to the layout of the data entry screens and the format of the reports. Sample reports are even fabricated to further describe the intended product. The development phase will not begin until both parties are in agreement that the proposed system will fulfill all your business needs.

THE COSTS INVOLVED

The development time requirements and associated costs cannot be adequately determined until the functional specification has been completed. Therefore, although a set fee can be agreed upon for the development phase, the analysis and design phases are billed on an hourly basis. The initial consultation is free except for travel and lodging expenses.